History of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School
St. Catherine of Siena once said, “If you are what you should be, you will set the world ablaze.” These words are emblazoned in the atrium of our school. They illustrate the achievements of a growing community that strives to meet this motto.
Archbishop John Francis Donoghue requested that Father James Harrison and the parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Parish begin the vocation of Catholic education. In the fall of 2002, the parish began this mission with grades K-3. The school opened one grade each subsequent year until the fall of 2007. The leadership team of Father Harrison and Robyn Planchard, principal, soon realized that the school would outgrow the existing facilities. Plans were developed to build a new school building, which broke ground in 2004.
Archbishop Donoghue contacted the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia to request they begin teaching in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. In the fall of 2004, three sisters arrived at St. Catherine of Siena from the motherhouse in Nashville to begin a new mission.
The school received accreditation from SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) in 2005 and from SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) in 2009.
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2013. The National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence program recognizes public and private schools that are academically excellent. To qualify, a private school’s standardized test scores must be in the top 15% in the nation. If a school qualifies based on test scores, there is then a rigorous application process that spans the greater part of a school year. It is a significant honor to receive this recognition.