DAVID CITY (SNR) – St. Mary School in David City formally changed its name to Aquinas Catholic Elementary in June.
The St. Mary’s School Council and Aquinas Board of Advisors discussed the change throughout the 2020-21 school year. Aquinas and St. Mary’s Schools have been a single school system for more than 30 years. The name update brings Aquinas Middle and High School and Aquinas Elementary together to unify the Aquinas Catholic School system.
The name change to Aquinas Catholic Elementary does not alter the history of St. Mary’s Schools. The first parishioners and sisters of St. Mary Parish opened the doors of St. Mary’s Grade School in August 1899. With the desire to offer a Catholic secondary education in David City, St. Mary’s High School opened in August 1954. After five years of operation, a new Catholic high school was built in David City.
On June 12, 1960, it was announced that the name of the new high school would be Aquinas Catholic High School. This title was chosen because St. Thomas Aquinas is the universal patron of Catholic Schools. In addition, he was one of the greatest scholars of the Christian era; he had a special love for truth; he loved Christ above all; he had a great affection for Our Lady; he had a special love for the Eucharistic Sacrifice; and his idea of God’s providential guidance of all events is appropriate for all times.
The school opened September 5, 1961 with 295 students from 15 parishes in Butler, Polk, and Seward Counties. In 1986 a middle school was added to the system. The Council of Administration at Aquinas Catholic Middle School-High School, the Parish Council of St. Mary’s School, and the pastors of the David City Deanery announced the unanimous decision that Aquinas and St. Mary’s were merged into one school system in September 1990.
To celebrate, the school’s brand-new “spirit store” is offering a 25% off sale through June. All kinds of spirit wear and gear are for sale from infant sizes through adult. The link to the store may be found on the newly designed website, Aquinas-Catholic.com.
