When the Diocese of Atlanta was established in 1956, the primary focus of the Church’s educational mission in North Georgia was on Catholic schools. The Very Rev. Cornelius L. Maloney was named the first Superintendent of Schools.

In the 1956-57 academic year, there were three Catholic high schools (Christ the King secondary school for girls, Sacred Heart secondary school for girls and Marist College for boys) enrolling a total of 631 students. There were 14 elementary schools: Christ the King, Immaculate Conception, Sacred Heart, St. Anthony, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Thomas More, St. John the Evangelist, Our Lady of the Assumption, St. Gerard in Fort Oglethorpe, Sacred Heart in Griffin, St. Joseph in Marietta, St. Joseph in Athens, St. Mary in Rome and St. Joseph in Washington enrolling a total of 4,513 students.

The emphasis on Catholic school education continued during the first 10 years of the diocese. In 1957-58, St. Paul of the Cross Elementary School was opened. In the following academic year, Immaculate Heart of Mary was added.

The first diocesan co-educational high school, St. Pius X, opened for the 1958-59 academic year. The two existing diocesan secondary schools for girls were closed as the students were transferred to this new school.

The 1960-61 academic year saw the addition of three high schools the St. Pius X Annex, which later became St. Joseph High School; Drexel High School; and D’Youville Academy for girls.

On Feb. 14, 1961, the bishops of Atlanta, Savannah and Charleston issued a pastoral letter in anticipation of the desegregation of the public schools. The letter stated that Catholic schools would be open to all Catholics regardless of race.

With the sudden death of Msgr. Maloney in February 1961, Rev. John Leahy was named superintendent of schools. He served until 1964 when Msgr. Patrick J. O’Connor was named Secretary for Education. He was succeeded by Rev. Daniel J. O’Connor in 1965.

St. Jude the Apostle School opened for the 1962-63 academic year, Sacred Heart Elementary School on Courtland Street closed at the end of the 1965-66 academic year because of dwindling enrollment. Blessed Sacrament School opened for the 1965-66 academic year.

Enrollment in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Atlanta peaked in 1966-1967--1,753 high school and 6,624 elementary school students. In June of 1967, Drexel High School was closed and the students transferred to St. Joseph High School. Immaculate Conception Elementary School also closed that same year.

Synod of 1966

The archdiocesan Synod of 1966 recommended the following directions for the development of the educational mission of the Church: 1) a broader base for policy-making through Catholic education boards; 2) a reorganization of the department, with a secretary for education as chief administrator; 3) accreditation of all schools; 4) improvement of salaries and benefits for staff; 5) sharing in the financial burden by all parishes with students enrolled in Catholic schools; 6) upgrading the formation of catechists; 7) improving the quality of instruction in parish schools of religion; 8) making adult religious education a priority; and 9) giving increased emphasis to campus ministry.

Under the leadership of Father Daniel J. O’Connor, Secretary for Education, three offices were developed within the department--the Office of Catholic Schools, the Office of Religious Education and the Office of Campus Ministry. An archdiocesan Board of Education with lay representatives was set up as a policy-recommending board to the archbishop. Over the past 15 years, the board has developed an extensive policy manual for all areas of education. It is also responsible for preparing the annual archdiocesan education budget.

As a result of the synod, each parish was encouraged to have a single, total Catholic education board which would recommend policy to the pastor. Today 66 % of the parishes have active boards.

Catholic Schools

In the years following the synod, there was a strong impetus for the accreditation of all Catholic schools. Today all but two of the diocesan schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The remaining two are affiliated with the association.

Several schools closed because of decreasing enrollment and the withdrawal of the religious communities staffing them: in 1969, St. Gerard in Fort Oglethorpe and D’Youville Academy; in 1972, Sacred Heart School in Griffin; in 1976, Blessed Sacrament School.

In June 1976, St. Joseph High School was closed. Arrangements were made to transfer the students to St. Pius X High School.

In 1980-1981, there two Catholic high school enrolling 1,710 students and 13 elementary schools enrolling 4,488 students.

Religious Education

In the early years of the Office of Religious Education, the staff, under the leadership of Father Michael Morris (1966-1972), dedicated its efforts to the organization of parish religious education programs, the recruitment of religious to serve as coordinators of religious education, the formation of catechists in diocesan-wide enrichment programs, and parent orientation for the sacramental preparation of their children. In the 60s, the Office of Religious Education focused on the child-centered religious education programs.

By 1968-69, 9,311 students were enrolled in parish religious education programs (55 percent of all the school age children in the diocese). That year, there were 7, 214 students in Catholic schools (42 percent of all school age children in the diocese).

In the early 70s, under the leadership of Father Robert L. Kinast (1972-1975), new emphasis was given to continuing religious education for adults and to the professional formation of the increasing number of lay coordinators of religious education in the parishes. An emphasis on total youth ministry--message, community and service--was developed also in he early 70s.

In 1976, Father James Kelly was appointed Director of Religious Education. Under his leadership the concept of total religious education for all ages and a team ministry approach to parish religious education have been encouraged. A formation program for catechists for use at the parish level has been developed. Curriculum guidelines have been provided for all levels of religious education and sacramental preparation. Continued emphasis has been placed on adult religious education and youth ministry.

In 1980-81, approximately 27,000 students in grades one through 12 and 3,050 adults were enrolled in parish religious education programs. Some 4,000 catechists serve in the 60 parishes of the archdiocese under the leadership of some 150 coordinators of religious education.

Campus Ministry

After the synod of 1966, the campus ministers began to come together in a loose association, coordinated by one of their peers. Regularly scheduled monthly meetings are now held to coordinate the ministry.

Since 1975, a leadership program for the formation of students to be ministers to their peers has been implemented. In addition the campus ministers have been active in encouraging parishes to minister to campuses which do not have full-time campus ministers.

Of the 61 institutions of higher learning in the archdiocese, 20 have part-time campus ministers; 11 have full-time campus ministers.

Present Staff

Father Richard A. Kieran has been Secretary for Education since 1975. Sister Roberta Schmidt, CSJ, is the Superintendent of Schools. The Associate Superintendent is Sister Patricia Geary, GNSH. Father James Kelly is the director of religious education. He is assisted by Sister Lorraine Masucci, RSM (adult religious education), and Mrs. Dolores Walters (youth ministry).