| Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh | |
| Established: | 1919 |
| Location: | Louisburgh, County Mayo |
| Country: | Ireland |
| Coordinates: | 53.7645°N -9.8052°W |
| Students: | 450 [1] |
| Principal: | Pauline Moran |
Sancta Maria College is a Catholic secondary school located in Louisburgh, County Mayo, Ireland.[2] The school was Ireland's first Catholic co-educational secondary school.[3] [4]
In 1919, two Sisters of Mercy arrived in Louisburgh, and began the development of what would become the first Catholic co-educational secondary school in Ireland.[5] The school was originally called Holy Rosary Secondary School,[6] but more familiarly known as ‘The Convent’. When the school first opened there were only twenty pupils who had to pay a fee of £9 per student per school year.[7]
The school was extended several times during the 20th century, with significant works undertaken in the 1980s.[2] [5] [8] By the early 21st century, the school was operated under the trusteeship of Catholic Education an Irish Schools Trust (CEIST).[2]
In 2008, the school was ranked 15 (out of 28) in Mayo for third level attendance with 77% progressing to third level. The majority of students (27.5%) enrolled in NUI Galway.[9]
In 2017, the school underwent an extension project which cost €7 million. The project continued for 20 months and included the construction of a new 2-storey extension comprising new main entrance, 12 specialist classrooms, general purpose/dining room and a kitchenette.[10]