History

1948

Father Colreavy and the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus & Mary open St. Cecelia School with 60 students in grades one through six in the renovated St. Cecelia Church rectory.

1951

Enrollment triples and ground is broken for a new school on the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and Court Street. The school expanded to eight grades and eventually to ten prior to the completion of Clearwater Central Catholic High School.

1959

Enrollment is now at 500 students. A new wing is built to accommodate the increase in students. The number of classrooms increases from eight to eighteen.

1960

A cafetorium, library and a music department are added. A fine arts program is started.

1969

St. Cecelia becomes an Interparochial School.  An art teacher is hired and the library is expanded.

1978

A Youth Center is added to the facilities allowing for improvements in extra-curricular programs.

1980

St. Cecelia School received its first computers and a full-time computer and resource teacher are added to the staff.

1994

A new primary building is constructed along with a beautiful new Chapel.

2000

A Middle School featuring a science lab and a computer lab is built in addition to the new administrative offices.

2005

The Garden of Peace & Prayer was designed and completed in the courtyard.

Inscribed bricks, benches, and Stations of the Cross beautify the area.

2006

A comprehensive safety plan was created.

2007

Developed a 5 year Strategic plan through 2012.

2009

The St. Cecelia School Advisory Commission received the Outstanding Board Award for 2009. Our board was one of nine school boards in the United States to be selected for this prestigious award.

2009

St. Cecelia School receives a perfect score of 200 on the VPK Readiness Rate.

2010

St. Cecelia School is named a National Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education.

2011-2012

St. Cecelia began the process of becoming authorized for the Middle Years Programme under the umbrella of the International Baccalaureate Organization.

2013

Developed a 5 year Strategic Plan through 2018.

2014

Voted Best Private School in Clearwater by the readers of the Tampa Tribune.

2015

Named a Top Workplace by the Tampa Bay Times.

2015

Authorized as a Middle Years Programme (MYP) by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

2016

Named a Top Workplace for the 2nd consecutive year by the Tampa Bay Times.

2019

Authorized as a Primary Year Programme (PYP) by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

2020

Named a National Blue Ribbon School for the 2nd time by the Department of Education.

2023

Celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the school!