FOUNDATION
The Tacoma Dominican sisters began our first Parish school in the small wooden building that served as Parish and school on September 8, 1893.

FIRST CONSTRUCTION
The construction of The Aquinas Academy began on "G" St. on June 13, 1899. The school for girls was another of the many ministries provided by the Dominican sisters.

NEW AQUINAS ACADEMY
In 1957, a new Aquinas Academy for girls was constructed to continue the sister's ministry. In the fall of 1974, Aquinas, St. Leo and Bellarmine consolidated to form one high school, Bellarmine Preparatory School. With the former Aquinas Academy building vacant, St. Patrick School moved down the hill.

TODAY
Today, St. Patrick School has an enrollment of over 500 students. We have half day and full day Montessori, Kindergarten through eighth grade, and an extended care program before and after school. St. Patrick School continues to equip our students to excel, but we have maintained the original mission of the Dominican sisters, to provide a quality Catholic education in order to nourish the Faith Life of our students.

A Little History of our School in more detail.

St. Patrick Parish first opened its doors on December 25, 1891 on the corner of North Starr and Tacoma Avenue. In the spring of 1892 we began our first Parish school, setting in motion a devotion to Catholic education that still exists.

In May of 1893, St. Patrick Church physically moved to North Starr and “G” street and was purchased by the Dominican sisters; students were taught by the Dominican Sisters in classes held in the Church.

In May of 1899, the Parish purchased the property from the Dominican sisters. June 13, 1899 began the construction of The Aquinas Academy for Girls on the property that St. Patrick School now stands.

Tragically, St. Patrick Church was destroyed by fire on August 15, 1905. It was then decided to purchase lots on North 12th and “J” street. On March 17, 1906 the first corner stone was laid for the new church, the date being very significant since St. Patrick is our patron saint. The church was completed on June 17, 1907 and dedicated on June 30.

St. Patrick School on North 11th and “J” street was completed on November 12, 1919 with an enrollment of 325 students. The school continued at this location for 55 years.

In the fall of 1974 Aquinas, St. Leos and Bellarmine consolidated to form one High School, Bellarmine. With the newer Aquinas building built on September 11, 1957 now empty, St. Patrick School moved down the hill.

The old St. Patrick School was torn down in 1992; the lot left vacant until it was decided to dedicate the area to build a home for the St. Patrick Parish Priest.

Today, St. Patrick School has an enrollment of over 510 students. We have pre-school Montessori, All day Montessori and kindergarten through eight grade and an after school program. St. Patrick School has added all the things it takes to have our students excel, but we have maintained the original goal of the Dominican Sisters, providing a quality Catholic education that instructs the mind and the soul.