St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School was founded in 1951 as an African-American Franciscan school. The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities have led the school since its conception and strive to instill life-long learning, leadership and service in each student. Prior to construction of the new building, the school was housed in a single-wing addition to the church with the church lobby also functioning as the school offices. Some classes were held in a donated mobile unit that sat in the parking lot. The school never had a gymnasium, art room, music room or proper library. However, the school has always maintained an incredibly high rate of alumni who go on to graduate high school, especially in comparison to many of the surrounding schools.
To continue this mission, the church embarked on a capital campaign for a new school. Adjacent property was purchased and a tightly knit school layout was designed to maximize outdoor space. The gym was set on a hill adjacent to the playground and surrounded by 2 story classroom wings to minimize the building impact on the mill village neighborhood.
Taking advantage of the topography, the 31,000 SF building offers on-grade entry on both the first and second levels with a monumental steel and wood spiral staircase, crafted by a local metal smith, connecting the two floors. Traditional African colors and religious super-graphics were used in the hallways as a means of way-finding. Daylight fills the art room, library, classroom and corridors and views are extended to the mountains. A small chapel, adorned with salvaged 18th century stained glass pieces, is the last of the unique spaces this school has to offer.
The children signed a topping out beam for the gymnasium and were finally given the proper school building they desired and deserved.