SAN ANTONIO • Little Flower School began on July 18, 1926 when the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate at the request of the Carmelite Fathers who, in turn, had been invited by then Archbishop Arthur Jerome Drossaerts to serve and administer at the newly formed parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Thérèse.
    A school still had not been built. Two sisters were involved in a census of the area and also in the decision-making process with respect to the opening of a school. They were Sister M. Evangelist Jennings and Sister M. Columba Crehan who later became principal.
    At the time, the Carmelite Fathers were financially unable to build a school. Two sisters set up makeshift “classrooms” in the church on the first Tuesday in September, 1926.

    During the day, the altar was hidden from view by folding doors. A similar partition separated the two classrooms. The school had an enrollment of 130 students, with the majority in first and second grades. Prior to its construction as the Shrine that is known today, the church was a little frame building when it doubly served as a school.

    The following year, the Carmelite priests bought a little frame building on Kentucky Avenue and the sisters moved in October 1927. This would be their residence for one year as plans had been drawn for the erection of the beautiful National Shrine of the Little Flower. Two classrooms were built onto this “convent.” The sisters taught there for two years. The old church, converted into two classrooms, was moved into the yard and served as Little Flower School for five years.
    The shrine was completed in 1931. Two rock-veneer structures — school and convent — were ready for occupation in March 1936.

    Each year, the eighth grade graduates sought higher education at other schools if they wished to continue beyond the elementary level. In 1938, a decision was made to convert the former convent, already vacated by the sisters, into a high school. Each year, a new grade was added. For three and a half years, this building served as the high school.

    Sister M. Augustine was appointed superior in 1941. Growth and progress marked the years of her administration. Two hundred pupils attended the school in 1941. The temporary high school was located inconveniently at some distance from the convent and grammar school. In December 1941, the basement of the church once more became an institution of learning. By February, the frame buildings adjoining the grammar school were vacated. After some remodeling, they accommodated classrooms for the upper grades and the high school. Six young graduates received their diplomas in 1942. For four subsequently years, this was the alma mater of 27 high school graduates. By 1946, the enrollment had grown to 320. In May 1946, after many years of patient waiting, the Carmelite Fathers realized one of their fondest dreams—building a new parochial grade and high school for 600 students. A convent with ample quarters was built for 12 sisters who would eventually teach at the school.

    As soon as the new school building was equipped and in operation, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) made an initial visit to determine the readiness of the school for accreditation. The inspector was very favorably impressed by the beauty of the facility but more so by the quality of work that had been accomplished by the students and teachers. In 1949, the TEA in a letter announced Little Flower High School was listed among state accredited schools. From then, the Little Flower School rating on every level was very impressive. Students participated in academic contests and were rewarded with prizes and trophies which they returned to their school.

    In 1956, Sister M. Perpetua became principal. Sister M. Augustine returned to Little Flower as principal in 1962 and remained until 1968. Sister Mary Margaret O’Grady succeeded her as principal. In 1969, Sister Margaret Gallagher assumed responsibilities as principal.

    The number of graduates from Little Flower High School varied through the years. In 1948, there were only three graduates. The highest number of graduates, 33, was reached in 1967. In the early ’70s, the Carmelite Fathers and Sisters of the Holy Spirit decided it was best to discontinue the high school because of staffing concerns and mounting educational costs. The school parents and Archdiocesan School Board were involved in the final decision which became effective in 1973. The following year only the senior class returned to the high school. In May, 1974, the last class of 26 graduates left the school where most of them had spent their entire scholastic lives.

    During the years when Little Flower High School was in operation, the elementary school also continued to grow and flourish. There were academic and social competitions. Little Flower always was on the forefront of any curricular changes that the teaching staff considered helpful for the social, academic and spiritual development of the students. Parents devoted many hours to ensuring extracurricular activities were a success.

    In 1973, Sister Maureen Finnerty was appointed principal of Little Flower School, a position she would hold for 10 years. Sister Maureen, tireless and dedicated, was the guiding light in the school’s progress. She was instrumental in bringing about significant changes to the physical plant.

    Sister Gabriella Lohan became principal in 1983. She continued the progress, upgrading the educational standards. In keeping with those standards, classrooms were remodeled in 1985.     Computers were purchased and the prescription learning program, funded by the federal government, was added.

    Sister Pat Crehan became principal in 1989 and, as her predecessors had done, continued academic progress. An integrated language arts program was initiated. Sister Pat began what is now an annual tradition where students plant flowers in front of the school as a beautification project but also to promote awareness of the environment.

    Sister Eileen Mannion began her ministry as principal in 1994. The school had a new look — asbestos had been removed and welcomed new lowered ceilings and new lighting had been added. The gym was remodeled for diocesan league games. A new playground, through the efforts of the PTC, was built for PK3-PK5 children. Computers were added to the library for the accelerated reading program.     Classrooms were supplied with up to date technological equipment and current mathematics and social studies materials. The school’s self-study, conducted in 1996-97, resulted in a strategic plan for developing long range goals.

    Rita Graves, the school’s first lay principal, assumed the position in 2002 following a short interim by Lornnette Woo.

    A history of Little Flower School is not complete without crediting the significant contribution of the Carmelite Fathers. They were involved in the religious education of the student body and cooperatively involved with teachers in their holistic approach to education. They have been and remain today strong supporters of the Sisters in their efforts to make Little Flower School an outstanding example of Catholic learning among the Catholic schools in the archdiocese. Today, Little Flower continues to serve the predominantly Hispanic population in the city’s Westside neighborhoods. Currently, 264 students are enrolled at Little Flower. Little Flower continues to place a strong emphasis on religious instruction and to help children grow in understanding of Christian living. The school is open to all children regardless of race, color, creed or ethnic background.

Editor’s note: Little Flower School provided this report.