This is Catholic Schools Week. Catholic schools have a long and rich tradition in Lowell and in the Merrimack Valley.  Of  those schools still open and active: St. Patrick’s School in the Acre opened in 1852, the Immaculate Conception School in 1880, St. Michael’s in 1889, St. Jeanne d’Arc School in 1910, St. Margaret’s School in 1941, Franco-American School in 1963 (opened as orphanage in 1908) and Lowell Catholic High School in 1989 as the successor to its  legacy schools – Keith Academy and Keith Hall (1926), Keith Catholic, St. Patrick’s HS,  St. Joseph’s HS and St. Louis Academy.

The 38th annual celebration of  Catholic Schools Week begins today January 30th  through February 5th.  Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of NCEA (National Catholic Education Association) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The 2011 theme is – “Catholic Schools: A+ for America.” From NCEA:

The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2011 celebrates the fact that Catholic schools are an added value (“a plus”) for the nation. Because of their traditionally high academic standards and high graduation rates, all supported by strong moral values, Catholic schools and their graduates make a definite contribution to American society.

What are your memories of Catholic schools in Lowell and the Catholic school experience?