Our History
Opening in 1882, St. Charles Academy
served as the center of education for Calcasieu Parish. The school
was staffed by the Sisters Marianites of the Holy Cross. In 1949,
Monsignor Louis H. Boudreaux, pastor of Immaculate Conception
Parish, undertook the building of a parochial grade school.
Immaculate Conception (ICS) opened its doors on February 19, 1950.
Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard of Lafayette officiated the dedication. The
school provided educational services for grades one through eighth
for girls and one through four for boys. The Sisters Mariantes of
Holy Cross continued to be on staff at the new school and Sister
Imelda was the first principal of ICS.
With the opening of
Immaculate Conception School,
St. Charles
became a parochial girl’s high school only. In 1970,
St. Charles and Landry Memorial High School
merged to form St. Louis
High School. The St. Charles building no longer saw students, but served as
home for the Marianite sisters teaching at St. Louis and ICS. After the death of
Monsignor Boudreaux, Monsignor H. Alexandre Larroque became the next
pastor. He took up the task of grounds improvements. The adjacent
academy building was condemned and torn down in the spring of 1974.
Immaculate Conception School then stood alone at
1536 Ryan Street.
On January 29,
1980, the Diocese of Lake Charles was formed to include the area once
known as “Imperial” Calcasieu. Monsignor Jude Speyrer, Vicar General of the
Lafayette Diocese, was named the first bishop of the New See. Immaculate
Conception School was recognized as the school representing the
Cathedral Parish, thus becoming Immaculate Conception Cathedral School
(ICCS).
In the early
eighties, Borden’s Incorporated donated the property to the north of the
school building where for many years the famed Borden’s Ice Cream Parlor
stood. Demolition of the old Borden’s milk processing plant and ice
cream parlor took place in May 1990. The property has served as a
parking lot and secondary carpool line since that time. In the spring of
2001, the PTO of ICCS raised funds to beautify the lot. With the help of
many parent volunteers, the Park Avenue
lot was created.
To meet the growing
needs of our school, four temporary buildings were place in the Wilson Street parking lot in the summer of
2006 to accommodate fourth and fifth grades. Future plans for the
construction of a new building are currently in the works. The new
building which will be located on the same land where St. Charles Academy
once stood, will house a new computer lab, library, classrooms and
student restrooms.
ICCS currently
enrolls 402 students from grade Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade.
Mrs. Dinah Bradford serves as the principal with 20 classroom teachers.
In addition, the school also employs a librarian, counselor,
two resource teachers, directors
of technology and religious education as well as teachers of art, music,
physical education and Spanish as enrichments.
Our Misson & Beliefs
- We believe that as a Catholic school we take our meaning and purpose from the role and mission of the church.
- We believe that parents are the primary educators of their children, with the school community and Church sharing in the responsibility.
- We believe the entire school community encourages the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development of each child.
- We believe each child is a valued and unique individual who learns, grows, and achieves in different ways.
- We believe in promoting Christian morality by instilling virtues including respect for life, honesty, responsibility, and self-discipline.
- We believe in teaching the importance of cultural diversity, social justice, and American citizenship.
- We believe in providing a safe and trusting environment.
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