Our school was founded in 1902 when two classrooms were set aside in the back of the church, which then faced Stewart St. Two Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur taught 46 children that first year.

When the church moved to its present location in 1906, a cornerstone was laid for a
parish school. The two-story brick school adjacent to the church cost $35,000 to build.
 

Between 1910 and 1921 the school staff included six sisters and a part-time music
teacher. During those years the school closed only for diphtheria and influenza outbreaks, one snow day, and on March 25, 1913, as the notation in an attendance book reads, “The Flood”.

 

In 1924, extensive remodeling was done to update the school. By the 1930’s the
enrollment reached 350. Until 1940, the boys and girls studied separately, with girls in the first-floor classrooms and the boys on the second floor. The school principal also taught eighth grade until 1948, when an additional teacher was hired to free the principal for administrative duties.

Work began on an addition to the school, and the original building was updated in 1949. The addition was just in time to accommodate the record high enrollment of 794 students in 1958. During this time, kindergarten was dropped to make space for the upper grades; in 1964, the first grade was also discontinued. For short time the older students attended Holy Trinity to make additional room in the school.

 

In 1979, the first grade was reinstated; a year later kindergarten was added.

 

The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur provided faculty for the school until 1985, and the commitment of these women is still felt in many traditions at Holy Angels today.

 

The Cotterman Gymnasium and Parish Center were completed in 1988. Physical
education classes, music classes, our annual fish fry, and other school and parish events keep the gym and parish center busy throughout the year.

In 2004, a preschool program was established for 3- and 4-year-olds. It is a direct feeder into our primary grades and has gained a wonderful reputation throughout the Dayton area.

 

Holy Angels continues its long tradition of educating students in a Catholic Christian environment. Every student who has passed through its doors has contributed to our rich history.

Holy Angels understands the great value of a Catholic parish school: the unique
opportunity to freely integrate faith with academic rigor. It is the challenge for us today to
continue the important work of those who have gone before us.