Under the leadership of Father Julius Brent, the first Catholic school in Mount Vernon was opened, known as St. Michaels. The first teacher was Miss Ann McDermott. Like many other private schools, "St. Michaels" closed in 1861 and remained closed throughout the Civil War and into the 1870s. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/331345_9de8fde09bcc4cbd8f44f795666397d8~mv2.jpg

The school re-opened as St. Vincent de Paul Parochial School. Construction costs: $1,500

The Sisters of St. Francis of Joliet, Indiana came to Mount Vernon to "take charge of the education of the children of the parish."

The church and school https://static.wixstatic.com/media/331345_b50bf0a526c8401da3ba2fd6952a7322~mv2.jpg

The Sisters of St. Dominic of St. Mary's Columbus replace the Sisters of St. Francis - Sister Alphonsa, Superioress, Sister Mary Catharine, Sister Antoninus, Sister Gonzaga and Sister Augustine came to Mt. Vernon October 16, 1882 and during the two years they remained laboring zealously on behalf of the school building it up, especially the academic department to a commendable degree.

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth arrived in Mount Vernon. They would serve the parish and the school for almost 100 years.

The addition to the high school was completed. Construction cost: $17,000 https://static.wixstatic.com/media/331345_10495b5da0c749f69c44982345d30398~mv2.jpg

St. Vincent de Paul School opened for grades 1-12

Father Dunn announced more space was needed in the school and a feasibility study would begin. Later that year, he reported that "it would cost more per cubic foot to build over the gym than to erect a new school building."

The new building for primary grades was ready for students by the opening day of 1954-55 school year. The existing building became the high school as the lower grades moved to the new building. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/331345_67368d0b30504684914bc7f1a3af5911~mv2.jpg https://static.wixstatic.com/media/331345_ae45815e37a9459ab68ff17f5a5899d3~mv2.jpg

A Blue Streak football team was organized. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/331345_53199e7ec204480eb946b540b87966b0~mv2.jpg

Christmas with the Sisters of Charity - First Row - Sisters Rita Mary Thomas, Ann Jeanette Effinger, Martha Vincent Hogg, Mary Boniface Schieble Second Row: Sisters Agnes Michael Hayes, Adelaide Barber, Edna Jean Arehart, Agnes Paul Bergbom, Claudia Wirtz https://static.wixstatic.com/media/331345_289041f25a1341e1adb780a2398064f7~mv2.jpg Principal Sister Agnes George Biven (Center) c. 1959 https://static.wixstatic.com/media/331345_e85c04cdf01a4409b7e768588e704f9b~mv2.jpg

Two new 66-passenger school busses were added to St. Vincent's fleet. Two of the three older busses were traded in. Together, the three busses traveled more than 200 miles per day! https://static.wixstatic.com/media/331345_298da31ad953413a91b9b4ebcf5c40db~mv2.jpg

The Columbus Diocese implemented its Accreditation program. The six-year cycle focuses on setting academic and religious identity goals planning their implementation and documenting results.

St. Vincent de Paul school introduced the "Family Model." Students are divided into 17 cross-grade groups call families. A student remains a member of the same family from Kindergarten through 8th grade. Each family performs carious service projects, especially ones based on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

St. Vincent de Paul school is "the first parochial school in the nation to receive the Heart Safe School Accreditation." The school has maintained its eligibility since that time.

Due to safety and security concerns, it was decided to move the school office from the third floor of the North building to ground-level. An addition to the school was planned and ground was broken Spring of 2015. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/331345_aaabeba503ba4099b9fd0bcefef1b3d6~mv2.jpg

Due to safety concerns, the wooden playground was demolished and a new modernized playground was put in place for the students at St. Vincent de Paul School. The wooden picket fencing around the playground on High Street was also replaced with a stone wall, and a new iron black gate.