Spa Catholic set to mark centenary

A ceremony initiating a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first commencement of St. Peter's Academy in Saratoga Springs will be held Sept. 8, 1:30 p.m., on the front steps of Saratoga Central Catholic High School.

The history of St. Peter's (now Spa Catholic) began in 1862, when the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet opened the first parochial school in Saratoga Springs.

That school, located on William Street, educated young ladies. Young men were taught in a separate building at the corner of Hamilton and William Streets. Shrinking enrollment caused the school to close in 1882.

In 1900, the Sisters were called back to Saratoga and the first graduation exercises were conducted for three students on June 27, 1905.

In 1922, Rev. Patrick Scully opened a newer and larger Catholic school, now referred to as "the Annex." Rev. Daniel Burns is credited with doubling enrollment of the school and led a 1952 capital campaign to build a new high school and gymnasium, the present building at 247 Broadway.

Spa Catholic is the only junior/senior high school serving Saratoga Springs and the surrounding communities. In 1997, Spa Catholic was named one of the 25 most innovative schools in America by Today's Catholic Teacher magazine.

Of the 36 graduates in the Class of 2004, 97 percent were accepted into college. The graduates earned more than $1.5 million in scholarships and grants.

More than 60 percent of the student body participate in athletics, and extracurricular activities appeal to a wide variety of student interests.

On Sept. 8, student government officers will unveil the new school logo, which connects the history of St. Peter's Academy, Spa Catholic and the community of Saratoga Springs. The updated school uniform will also be shown.

The year-long celebration will culminate on June 27, 2005, the exact day the commencement took place 100 years ago.