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Saint Andrew Catholic School History

- Humble Beginnings
  
  Though Saint Andrew Newtown Parish dates to 1880, Saint Andrew Catholic School was not established until August 1927. This is why there are two dates in our logo.
  The schools of Saint Andrew have had several different addresses over the years, but the original two-room building was located behind the Olde Church of Saint Andrew on Sycamore Street.
  47 students comprised the first classes to attend the school.
  At the request of the Reverend John T. Brady, the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary staffed the original school. By 1930, a house next to the church was purchased due to the generosity of the late Mrs. John J. Tierney and remodeled as a home for the teaching nuns. Both the house (left) and the school (door with stairway on the right) are visible in the photograph.
- This school sufficed for 24 years when it became imperative to build larger quarters.
  The school will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027.
- The 1953 School
  
  In 1950, land was procured from the Charles Lownes farm across the street from the Olde Church, and in 1952 a new modern school was erected, thanks, in large part, to the labor of the St. Joseph's Guild.
  The building consisted of four classrooms, a library, and offices. An additional wing was added in 1957, that added four more classrooms. The additional space allowed for the accommodation of Assumption B.V.M. students in 1959, who shared the building for half a year. In 1960, the school expanded again, adding several more classrooms.
- An Expansive New Home of the Crusaders
  
  As the number of families in the parish grew, mainly due to the construction of the Main Church on Swamp Road in 1985, so did the need to enlarge our school.
  In 1992, plans for constructing a larger educational facility were initiated. A deceased parishioner, Edward Maher, left a large parcel of ground on Wrights Road to the Parish in his will. This land became the home of Saint Andrew Catholic Education Center. Groundbreaking for the new school and religious education center took place on October 17, 1993.
  On January 9, 1995, the Saint Andrew Catholic Education Center, located on Wrights Road, opened its doors to the community. At the time, the $5.5M three-story building was the first new Catholic elementary school in twenty-five years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. A final dedication took place on March 26, 1995.
  On September 6 of that same year, the former school on Sycamore Street opened its doors as Saint Andrew Preschool, welcoming both Montessori and traditional early childhood programs.
  Over the next seven years, enrollment continued to grow, and more than $2M was spent on over 20,000 square feet of additional space via three separate additions (1998, 2000, and 2002). Classrooms, a cafeteria, and a multi-purpose room were added. The expansions allowed for the Preschool to join the Catholic Education Center, and property of the Saint Andrew Preschool was eventually sold.
  Currently, Saint Andrew Catholic Education Center has 40 classrooms, a cafeteria, a gymnasium, a multi-purpose room, a library, computer and science labs, a bank branch, and a chapel.
  We have come a long way since 1927.
  Considered a flagship in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, our school is one of the biggest and most vibrant. Known for its strong Catholic identity, rigorous academics, and a fearless student body, Saint Andrew Catholic Education Center is nationally recognized and renowned.
Saint Andrew Catholic Education Center

Home of the Crusaders

Saint Andrew Catholic School History

Though Saint Andrew Newtown Parish dates to 1880, Saint Andrew Catholic School was not established until August 1927. This is why there are two dates in our logo.

The schools of Saint Andrew have had several different addresses over the years, but the original two-room building was located behind the Olde Church of Saint Andrew on Sycamore Street.

47 students comprised the first classes to attend the school.

This school sufficed for 24 years when it became imperative to build larger quarters.

The school will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027.

In 1950, land was procured from the Charles Lownes farm across the street from the Olde Church, and in 1952 a new modern school was erected, thanks, in large part, to the labor of the St. Joseph's Guild.

As the number of families in the parish grew, mainly due to the construction of the Main Church on Swamp Road in 1985, so did the need to enlarge our school.

On September 6 of that same year, the former school on Sycamore Street opened its doors as Saint Andrew Preschool, welcoming both Montessori and traditional early childhood programs.

Currently, Saint Andrew Catholic Education Center has 40 classrooms, a cafeteria, a gymnasium, a multi-purpose room, a library, computer and science labs, a bank branch, and a chapel.

Considered a flagship in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, our school is one of the biggest and most vibrant. Known for its strong Catholic identity, rigorous academics, and a fearless student body, Saint Andrew Catholic Education Center is nationally recognized and renowned.