Cathedral School was established in 1847 shortly after the first Catholic Diocese in Mississippi was founded. It was originally staffed by the Daughters of Charity who continued their presence until 2003. The school has been in continual operation for more than 160 years.

Cathedral School is located on a 22-acre campus in downtown Natchez. The current campus was built in the 1950s. The most recent improvements to the physical structure took place in the late 1990s after a successful capital campaign titled, “A Time for Every Purpose.”

More than $1 million was raised to add a multi-purpose room, elementary library, computer lab, four preschool classrooms and a weight training facility. Improvements also included new roofs for the high school building and gym.

For the last three years, parents, teachers, alumni and supporters have studied the needs of the current campus and given focused input about their vision for Cathedral School.

A master plan for the campus has been developed with the highest priority needs being addressed in phase one. A steering committee consisting of parents and volunteers are working now to determine that the plan for phase one is feasible.

Phase one improvements include: renovation and expansion of existing high school science labs and classrooms, re-purposing junior high classrooms and bathrooms for high school use, construction of a new middle school facility for grades six through eight, renovation of the cafeteria and expansion of the kitchen and the construction of a new field house with concession stand, bathrooms and locker rooms for home and visiting teams.

The master plan goal is to create the premier, state-of-the-art educational facility in our area that will emphasize faith, academics, family and athletics in order to carry on the spirit and tradition of Cathedral School.

Would you like to learn more? Do you have ideas to share? The steering committee has planned listening sessions in order to give the Cathedral School Family and community members a chance to learn about the plan and share their valuable thoughts and ideas.

You are invited to attend a listening session at noon or at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the multi-purpose room in the Cathedral Elementary building. Please join us as we look forward to receiving meaningful input from the community on this exciting endeavor!

 

Amanda Jeansonne is a parent of Cathedral alumni and former teacher.