St. Vincent's Academy
St. Vincent's Academy (SVA) is a private, Catholic, all-female high school located next to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in downtown Savannah, Georgia, United States. The school operates within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah and enrolls about 350 girls in grades 9-12.
| St. Vincent's Academy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
| |
207 East Liberty Street , 31401 United States | |
| Coordinates | 32°4′26″N 81°5′28″W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1845 |
| Sister school | Benedictine Military School |
| Principal | Mary Anne Hogan |
| Faculty | 23 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Gender | Girls |
| Enrollment | 356 (2007) |
| Color(s) | Blue and gold |
| Athletics conference | GHSA |
| Nickname | Saints |
| Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools[1] |
| Affiliation | National Catholic Educational Association[2] |
| Website | www |
History
| A historical marker was erected in 1983 at the intersection of East Liberty Street and Abercorn Street in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. The marker (Georgia Historic Marker 025-93) is at 32°4′26.33″N 81°5′28.16″W. |
St. Vincent's Academy was opened in June 1845 by the Sisters of Mercy as the Convent and Academy of Saint Vincent dePaul. Under the leadership of Mother Vincent Mahoney, the Sisters of Mercy from Charleston, South Carolina began the boarding school, an orphanage, a day school, and a free school. The St. Vincent's Convent became an independent Motherhouse within two years.
More than 20 schools, hospitals, and orphanages were founded throughout Georgia from the Motherhouse. A few early foundations that continue in service include St. Mary's Home, Savannah (1875), and St. Joseph's Hospital (1880).
Courses in the early curriculum included Penmanship, Astronomy, Composition of Fiction, Sacred and Profane History, Ancient Geography, Chronology, Mythology, and Embroidery.
Campus
| Heritage Hall in the original building recalls for today's young women St. Vincent's tradition of educational excellence. |
Architect Charles B. Cluskey designed the convent and academy building in the Greek Revival style.
Student activities
Catherine McAuley Awards
Each year, St. Vincent's Academy honors an alumna with the Catherine McAuley Award. The award is given to a person who exemplifies the attributes of Catherine McCauley and therefore exemplifies the ideals of St. Vincent's Academy while a student and throughout her life.
St. Vincent's Tour of Homes and Tea
Each October, St. Vincent's Academy presents St. Vincent's Annual Tour of Homes and Tea, a self-guided tour of the original 1845 convent building and eight private homes in Savannah’s Historic District. Proceeds from the Tour and Tea benefit the preservation and restoration of the convent.
Athletics
SVA sports include volleyball, softball, cross country, basketball, swimming, rifle, sailing, soccer, tennis, golf, and track. St. Vincent's is a member of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) and currently competes in the AA classification. During the 2013-2014 school year, St. Vincent's qualified for state competition in nine sports.
Clubs and organizations
Club events are scheduled two times per month throughout the school year. Many of these clubs participate in activities beyond meeting times during school hours.
Notable alumni
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The early history of St. Vincent's is intertwined with that of Savannah and the South. During the Civil War, eight-year-old Maggie Davis, whose father Jefferson Davis was President of the Confederate States of America, became a student at St. Vincent's. Her brother also came to the convent daily to recite his lessons.
References
- AdvancED. "AdvancED-Find Accredited Institutions". Retrieved 2015-09-24.
- NCEA. "NCEA School Locator". Archived from the original on 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2015-09-24.
External links
- www.svaga.net - official website
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
