Our History
In September of 1921, St. John’s began its first parochial school. The Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help began teaching in two rooms of the convent, and remained there for about four months during 1921. The first school was finished November 21, 1921, under the guiding hand of Rev. Joseph Tragessor.
On April 28, 1976, the initial organizational meeting for the construction of a new school was held, under the direction of Rev. John Baggio. By the time the new building was completed, the old structure had been condemned by the state because of its condition.
The students moved into the new school building on April 3, 1978. After the 1978-1979 school year Father Baggio wanted a kindergarten. The 1979-1980 year was the first year to have it and the first time a lay teacher was hired. In a few years construction began on a new wing for the school, which would be used for primary classes.
The current facility houses grades Pre-School through Eighth grade. There are eight classrooms that have two or three computers, presentation TVs with VCR, and wireless Network connections. A large library has Accelerated Reading computers and resources for students and teachers. The school utilizes 16 wireless mobile laptops in the computer lab. A large kitchen and meeting room are available to be used for a banquet room and other social events. Near the social room is the gymnasium, which is used primarily for athletic events.
There are currently seven full-time lay teachers employed at St. John’s. The Franciscan Sisters retired at the end of the 1999-2000 school year. This ended 79 years of their presence at St. John the Baptist School. Mr. Joseph Bierbaum was the first lay principal and he served until 2007. Sister Brenda Engleman, a Benedictine sister from Ferdinand, Indiana, succeeded him as principal.
St. John’s graduates go on to high school and graduate in the top percentage of their classes. St. John’s School has long been recognized as offering a premium education while also providing a strong, basic development in Catholic Faith.