History
On September 4, 1882, the Immaculate Conception School opened formally with 520 pupils under the tutelage of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky. The first school was located on Court Street on the site now used as the parish parking lot.
The following year saw an influx of an additional two hundred students. The increase caused the parish to rent two vacant public school buildings in order to make Catholic training possible for the maximum number of children.
A high school was inaugurated the following year, but due to the fact that only a small number of students went on to secondary training in those days, Catholic high school training was declared impractical. The high school closed for boys in 1889 and girls in 1905. In 1946 the high school was reopened and served the parish well until economic conditions forced the closing in 1964.
In 1937, the parish purchased the vacated Newburyport High School building which was located right next to the church, and used the facility until is was destroyed by a tragic fire on May 9, 1945.
The Sacred Heart Chapel and its adjoining hall were converted to classrooms, and the Immaculate Conception School reopened its doors the following September in a refurbished facility serving close to 400 students.
A long time dream became a reality in 1955 when a new brick building was constructed consisting of eight classrooms, a large auditorium/gymnasium and a spacious cafeteria. The present facility serves our students well, and is used by other parish and civic groups throughout the year.
The Immaculate Conception School is well respected in the community. Many of the professional, political and business leaders of the city, as well as the parents and grandparents of many present day students, have graduated from the school.
At the heart of the Immaculate Conception School, today as in past years is the profound belief that each child is a special individual created by God and endowed with natural intelligence, curiosity and a yearning to learn and discover. Its daily curriculum includes art, computer literacy/applications, language arts, math, music, religion, physical education, science, Spanish, and social studies.
The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. This accreditation attests to continuing involvement in updating and goal setting, emphasizing both curriculum development and education in Catholic doctrine and values.
At the present time three religious women are members of the faculty. There are fifteen lay teachers who also continue the tradition of excellence that characterizes Immaculate Conception School. All full time faculty members are required to be certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
School Philosophy
Immaculate Conception School endeavors to develop the whole child in the Gospel spirit of love, justice, and responsibility.
In an atmosphere of unity and cooperation among administration and faculty, we strive to honor and cultivate individual gifts and abilities.
We believe it is our responsibility to provide skills to become life-long learners in a safe environment.
We believe that students learn best in a structured environment, with clear standards and expectations.