St. Monica Catholic Church and School

School History

St. Monica was opened in September 1962 under the first Rev. Frank McCann. The first grades offered were Kindergarten through third. Subsequent grades were added yearly until 1967 when the school went up to the eighth grade. The first graduation was held in June 1968.

 

The school was staffed and run by the Sisters of the Apostolate of the Scared Heart, who were among the first nuns to come to Florida from Cuba. The Ursulines also provided sisters as faculty for the school, including Sister Mary Louis, who became the acting principal.

 

The parishioners built a hall in 1970, and in 1973 a faculty lounge and library were completed. The hall is currently known as St. Augustine Hall.

 

Title I classes, remediation work in math and reading for students in neighborhoods with economic needs, were allocated in 1978. Title I now services grades one through seventh.

 

In 1996, Rev. Alejandro Roque and principal Victoria Farrington, led St. Monica in earning its re-accreditation.

 

During the 2000-2001 school year, St. Monica became the first Archdiocese of Miami school registered under the State of Florida John McKay Program for Exceptional Student Education. 

 

In 2004, Father Leo Dionne and principal Manuel Felix Varela, led St. Monica in earning its Florida Catholic Conference re-accreditation.

 

St. Monica Catholic School has acquired the knowledge, reputation, and vocation of its faculty members. The majority of the faculty members have advanced degrees and continue to pursue professional growth and development. With the dedication of its faculty and staff, St. Monica Catholic School will continue to provide a high quality education to the children of the parish and its surrounding community, educating them “in the spirit of the Gospel”.    

 

Father Frank McCann 1959-1964

Father John Donnelly 1964-1968

Father Mathew Grehan 1968-1972

Father Joseph Cliff 1972-1981

Father Michael Giganti 1981-1982

Father Marin McMahon 1982-1988

Father Francis Bagan 1988-1993

Father Alejandro Roque 1993-2002

Father Leo Dionne 2002-2005

Father Carlos Miyares 2005–Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principals

 

Sister Mary Louis  1962 –1981

Rev. Henry Lemoncelli  1981-1988

James Stiber 1988-1993

Victoria Farrington 1993– 1996

Sister Ines Dicks 1996– 1999

Manuel Felix Varela 1999-2007

Christine Gonzalez 2007-Present

 

“Education in the Spirit of the Gospel”

FCC Re-Accredited, 2004