Holy Family School in 75th year

Holy Family School has a big celebration planned for this academic year. It is the Catholic school’s 75th academic year providing a high-quality educational environment and academic programs for area youth.

“The mission statement of the school is: Holy Family School is a Catholic environment dedicated to developing young people whose actions reflect respect, love, compassion, knowledge and integrity,” said Laura Grisham, with Sacred Heart Southern Missions in Walls.

Holy Family has four new teachers, a new librarian, and a new interim principal/school counselor this fall.

The doors are wide open and welcoming to new students and delighted to see those enrolled last year back again this year.

The school, established for African American children, opened as St. Mary’s in 1948 with all classes up to the eighth grade in one classroom. St. Mary’s was housed in an antebellum home that was remodeled for the first students and added classrooms as it grew, Grisham said. Each year another grade was opened until all 12 grades were available.

St. Mary’s merged with St. Joseph’s School, in 1969 and was renamed CADET (Christian Aided Development through Extraordinary Training).

CADET Child Care Center opened in 1974 with 25 children and CADET high school closed.

CADET School’s name was changed to Holy Family School in 1995 to emphasize the connectedness of the school with families and the community and to provide a stronger Catholic identity.

“In between all these we had an early childcare center,” Grisham said.

Registration for the fall semester will remain open and children can be enrolled at any time, Grisham said.

“The school has a very generous policy and flexible payment plans,” Grisham said. “Limited financial assistance in the form of scholarships are still available.”

The school, located at 395 West Street in Holly Springs, serves children from pre-K3 to the eighth grade.

A before and after care program is also available for working families. Doors open at 6 a.m. for before care and remain open for aftercare until 6 p.m.

Pre-K through fourth grade classes have a teacher assistant in each classroom with the regular classroom instructor. Classes are historically kept small in size so children get individual attention.

Grisham said small classes make it possible for teachers to personalize the education of each student.

“It makes such a difference in the child because the teacher meets the child where they are (developmentally) and works with them,” Grisham said.

The school can be reached at 662-252-1612 to inquire about enrollment and other information.

“It’s a perfect environment for families, especially working parents - a safe educational environment for everybody,” Grisham said.

The enrollment hovered around 120 students last year.

Some of the student volunteer service hours outside the school include working in the Garden Cafe, in the mobile pantry, and helping deliver Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to seniors. Service always involves helping others.

Holy Family is still famous for its musical performances and basketball teams that finish in the top of the state.

The school also has lots of clubs that students can join, including a Science Club, Beta Club, and Library Club.