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The Mission of Aquinas and St. Mary`s Catholic schools community is to provide a Christ-centered learning environment where we develop individuals to be disciples of Christ in all areas of their lives.
The Aquinas & St. Mary`s school community will: Foster a God-centered, Catholic culture to promote a Christ-like outlook on life Provide a learning environment to promote academic achievement for all students by developing their unique abilities and interests to prepare them for future vocations and challenges Provide opportunities for individuals to grow spiritually, physically, socially and emotionally Nurture a life-long commitment to Christian values that promote growth in church, family, and civic relationships Promote respect for one`s self worth and mutual respect for others at all stages of life.
With great faith, the first parishioners or St. Mary`s Catholic
parish decided to start a school. The doors of St. Mary`s Grade
School opened in August 1899. Fr. William A Murphy, pastor of St.
Mary`s from 1933-1952, expressed his desire to offer a Catholic
secondary education. With his transfer to St. Francis, Center, in
1952, this task was handed over to Msgr. Alphonse Lisko. On August
29, 1954 the new St. Mary`s High School was blessed. The next day
57 students registered for the ninth and tenth grades. Twenty-five
students completed their four year program on May 26, 1957. The
High School remained in operation for 8 years until Aquinas High
School was built. In December 1959, Bishop James V. Casey announced
that a new Catholic High School would be erected in the David City
area. The parishes involved were Sts. Peter and Paul, Abie;
Presentation, St. Joseph and St. Peter`s, Bellwood; Holy Trinity,
Brainard; St. Anthony`s, Bruno; Assumption, St. Francis and St.
Mary`s, David City; St. Mary`s, Linwood; Sacred Heart, Shelby;
Immaculate Conception, Ulysses; St. Luke, Loma; St. Wenceslaus,
Bee; and Assumption, Dwight. On June 12, 1960, it was announced
that the name of the school would be Aquinas High School. This
title was chosen because St. Thomas Aquinas is the universal patron
of Catholic Schools, and in addition, he was one of the greatest
scholars of the Christian era; he had a special love for truth; he
loved Christ above all; he had a great affection for Our Lady; he
had a special love for the Eucharistic Sacrifice; and his idea of
God`s providential guidance of all events is appropriate for all
times. The school opened on September 5, 1961 with 295 students
from 15 parishes in Butler, Polk, and Seward Counties. In 1986 a
middle school was added to the system. On Sept. 17 1990, the
Council of Administration at Aquinas Middle School-High School, the
Parish Council of St. Mary`s School and the Pastors of the David
City Deanery held a joint meeting to discuss the future of Catholic
Education in the three county area. It was the unanimous decision
of each of these groups that Aquinas and St. Mary`s should be
merged into one school system. Aquinas Middle-High School is owned
and operated by the thirteen parishes of the Aquinas area. This
area comprises all of Butler County and parts of Polk and Seward
Counties. The school`s operation policies are determined by the
administration through recommendations of the staff and school
councils, subject to the policies of the Diocese of Lincoln. The
school enjoys a Class A accreditation by the Nebraska State
Department of Education, is a member of the Nebraska School
Activities Association, and as such, is subject to the rules and
regulations of both of these bodies.
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