St. Bernard's High School (Fitchburg, Massachusetts) Explained

St. Bernard's High School
Logo Alt:Official seal of St Bernard's High School.
Location:45 Harvard Street
Zipcode:01420
Country:United States
Coordinates:42.5772°N -71.7844°W
Principal:Joe Cussen
Team Name:Bernardians
Colors: Blue and gold
Yearbook:Bernardian
Annual Tuition:$10,250 (2024-2025)
Newspaper:Blue and Gold
Established:1920
Enrollment:210 (2023-2024)

St. Bernard's High School is a private Catholic high school in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

History

Founded in 1920 to educate young women, the need for a Catholic high school in the Fitchburg area was recognized by Bishop Thomas Daniel Beaven, and then materialized during the pastorate of Monsignor James J. Donnelly. The religious institute, founded by Nano Nagle, called the Presentation Sisters were tasked with beginning the school.[1]

In 1925, Donnelly purchased the Page Estate in Fitchburg, which became a convent for the Sisters, and in July 1926, construction of a nearby building would become the St. Bernard's High School campus. It opened its doors on September 4, 1927, with eight Sisters assigned as instructors.

In 1946, athletic venues were constructed, beginning with the football field, known as the "Bernardian Bowl."[2] In 1964, a quarter-mile running track was added, as well as an additional building wing containing a cafeteria, chapel, classrooms, laboratories, library, and offices. In 1980, the school's Activity Complex opened to contain a gymnasiums, locker rooms, and offices.

Originally a parish school, it was run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester since the 1980s. St. Bernard's High School won a bid to privatize and operate independently with a board of trustees, as of 2020.[3]

Athletics

Home of the Bernardians, both basketball and football teams have enjoyed success in recent years. The basketball team won the 1998 Division II State Championship, defeating Boston Latin School, and five Sectional Championships: 1997, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2013. The football team has won three Division VIII Massachusetts State Football Championship: 1997, 2018, and 2019.[4]

Notable alumni

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Our History .
  2. Web site: CMass Division 8 Semifinal: Bernardian Bowl holds more heartache for Narragansett as defending champion St. Bernard's rallies past Warriors .
  3. Web site: Bishop accepts privatization of St. Bernard's high school in Fitchburg .
  4. Web site: St. Bernard's wins Division 8 Super Bowl . December 2018 .