On November 4, Catholic Schools on New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco celebrated a century and a quarter of Catholic education in The Bahamas.
While November 4, 1889 marked the dawning of a new era in education for The Bahamas, which was then 78 years away from majority rule and equality in educational opportunities. On that day, St. Francis Xavier School, the first Catholic school in The Bahamas, which was established by five Sisters of Charity from the Convent of Mount St. Vincent-on-Hudson, New York, opened its doors. The primary objective of the institution was to provide quality education to disadvantaged Bahamian youth. On the first day of the "free school" on West Street, some 15 pupils registered.
Yesterday, as The Bahamas Catholic Board of Education celebrated 125 years of faith, knowledge and service with a focus, which, from the beginning, has been on building not only academic success, but also good character, Christian values and exemplary citizenship, thousands of students have passed through the system.
The Catholic endeavor has blossomed into what today is the second largest school system in the country, providing in concert with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, one of the nation's finest examples of public/private partnerships. Since 1889, some 25 Catholic Schools were established across several islands of the archipelago and provided high standards of education in New Providence, Harbour Island, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Bimini, Cat Island and Abaco; some schools have closed or amalgamated with others for various reasons, including declining populations.
Aquinas College; Every Child Counts (special education); Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Academy; St. Cecilia's School; St. Frances de Sales School; Saints Francis & Joseph School; St. Thomas More School and Xavier's Lower School which operate under the leadership
of the first Bahamian Archbishop Patrick Pinder and the Catholic Board of Education.
Over the past 125 years, among the milestones on the Catholic education journey in The Bahamas were the church's contributions to secondary studies. In January 1945, Reverend Frederic U. Frey, O.S.B. of St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota, who was then prior of the Benedictine Fathers in The Bahamas, established St. Augustine's College, which would contribute to the formation of some of the most outstanding Bahamian leaders and professions including the archbishop.
The modern Catholic School remains resolute in its commitment to producing well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the 21st century. In fact, a document profiling a Bahamas Catholic Board of Education Catholic School graduate speaks to students that are articulate, aware and socially integrated with the academic, and/or vocational skills to succeed in the world.
Although the Catholic system has made significant advancements since the launch of that first school on West Street 125 years ago, the mission of the five Sisters of Charity still lives within all Bahamian Catholic Schools today, and is reflected in their Christ-centered and character-driven school environments, along with the system's commitment to faith, knowledge and service.

Catholic schools in The Commonwealth of the Bahamas 1889 - to present

St. Francis Xavier School, West Street, New Providence 1889 - 1979
St. Francis Xavier Academy/Xavier Academy, West Hill Street, New Providence 1890 - 1955
St. Vincent Academy, Harbour Island 1922 - 1944
Our Lady of the Holy Souls, New Providence 1926
Saints Peter and Paul, New Providence 1928 - 1932
St. Joseph School, Boyd Road, New Providence 1932 - 1979
St. Anselm School, Fox Hill, New Providence 1933 - 1973
St. Benedict School, Harbour Island 1944 - 1979
Holy Name School, Bailey Town, Bimini 1943 - 2010
St. Bede School, Sutton Street, New Providence 1945
St. Augustine's College, Bernard Road, New Providence, 1947
St. Thomas More School, Madeira Street, New Providence 1953
Xavier College/Xavier Lower School, West Bay Street, New Providence 1955
St. Cecilia School, Coconut Grove, New Providence, 1956
Holy Redeemer School, Cat Island, 1956 - 1968
Aquinas College, Madeira Street (now on Gladstone Road), New Providence 1957
St. Vincent de Paul School, Hunter, Grand Bahama 1957 - 2010
Mary, Star of the Sea School, Freeport, Grand Bahama 1960
St. Anne School, Rock Sound, Eleuthera 1960 - 2010
St. Francis de Sales School, Marsh Harbour, Abaco 1964
Grand Bahama Catholic High School, Freeport, Grand Bahama 1966
Saints Francis & Joseph School, Boyd Road, New Providence 1979
Every Child Counts, Marsh Harbour, Abaco 1997

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