NEW ORLEANS (press release) – St. Michael Special School, the leading local school in educating students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will be holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the recent completion of the school’s renovation of the historic convent on the main campus. The ceremony will be held Wednesday, Aug.28, at 9:30 a.m.
The ribbon cutting marks the successful completion of a capital campaign begun during the celebration of the school’s 50th anniversary in 2015. Renovations and expansion include installation of a state-of-the-art Technology Lab and a Music Room for St. Michael’s renowned Bell Choir. A beautiful new chapel that includes two stained glass windows saved from the original St. Michael Church, and fused glass Stations of the Cross created by students completes the updates. “St Michael School has survived and thrived for over 50 years, educating some of God’s most special children through the generosity of the greater New Orleans community,” says Maureen Huguley, a campaign co-chair. “The renovation was made possible by donations from our community; St. Michael School is grateful to have so many who recognize our mission and the over 200 special needs we serve.”
The convent was built in the 1850s and housed the nuns who started St. Michael Special School. In 1965, the Archdiocese of New Orleans commissioned Sister M. Lillian McCormack to serve the special education community, and St. Michael opened as the first fully integrated school in the Greater New
Orleans area. In 1976, Mother Teresa of Calcutta visited the school chapel and lodged with the School Sisters of Notre Dame in the campus convent. The updates to the original convent include a restoration of that room to its original modest living quarters.
The restoration of the building was made possible by the contributions of school supporters and led by Maureen and Whit Huguley and Gary and Martha Solomon.
St. Michael Special School offers a unique program designed to support the academic, spiritual, and social growth of children with a broad range of special needs.
