ST LOUIS GRAMMAR SCHOOL in Antrim, Ballymena

Education Centre Information: St Louis Grammar School:

Institution Type:Secondary (grammar) school
Status: Open
Board: NORTH-EASTERN EDUCATION & LIBRARY BOARD (NEELB)
Management: Voluntary
Delivery: Internet
Total Pupils: 985
Admissions: Selective
Age Range: 11-18
Gender: Mixed
Gender of sixth form: Mixed

Background:

High-achieving grammar school, with Roman Catholic ethos; founded in 1824 on the hill of Kintullagh, with just 35 pupils, by the Sisters of St Louis; classes were held in large rooms in convent. In a few years the number of pupils had doubled, and a large gymnasium was built in 1926 for games, 'drill' and dancing, but with increasing numbers it had to be subdivided with folding doors and used for classrooms. As the numbers of pupils from Ballymena and a wide catchment area continued to increase, a new grammar school was built and opened in September 1954. It was the first new Catholic grammar school to be built under the Education Act 1947. An extension providing more classrooms, a library and a science laboratory, was built and opened in 1969. In 1970 the school admitted boys for the first time, and the enrolment increased steadily so that additional accommodation was required. The former boarding school was converted into five classrooms in July 1972. Every year for the next decade there was need for more temporary accommodation until the number of mobiles reached 40. In January 1982 the foundations for a major extension were finally laid. This building was completed and ready for use in September 1983 at a cost of £2million. In 1996, a technology suite and two new laboratories were built. In spite of this 10 mobile classrooms are still in use so further accommodation is required. Extensive range of A-level courses; academic emphasis. Also strong in music, drama and sport; soccer, gaelic football, hurling and netball. Commitment to Christian Catholic ethos: annual pilgrimage to Lourdes; 14 years of annual trips to Romania to help orphanages; annual support for missionary work through fundraising. Annual trips to France and Germany. Ethos: 'A caring Christian educational community dedicated to excellence.' .