Presentation Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Presentation Academy |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Address | |
|
861 South 4th Street
, , 40203
United States
|
|
| Coordinates | 38°14′32″N 85°45′34″W / 38.24222°N 85.75944°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private, All-Girls |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1831 |
| Founder | Catherine Spalding |
| President | Laura Dills '94 |
| Principal | Becca Noonan '00 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Gender | female |
| Color(s) | Navy blue and white |
| Mascot | Topper (Top Hat) |
| Nickname | Toppers, Pres, P.A. |
| Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools |
| Publication | Tower Yearbook (school annual); The Tower (newsletter) |
| Athletic Director | Jill O'Bryan |
|
Presentation Academy
|
|
Front and southern side
|
|
| Location | Louisville, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Built | 1893 |
| Architect | D.X. Murphy |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001364 |
| Added to NRHP | 1978 |
Presentation Academy is an all-girls high school in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It helps young women get ready for college. The school is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville.
Mother Catherine Spalding started the school in 1831. She was the founder of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Presentation Academy is the oldest school in Louisville that has been open without stopping.
Contents
School History
Mother Catherine Spalding opened Presentation Academy in 1831. It started in a rented house. Later that year, it moved to its own building on Fourth Street. The school stayed there for over 50 years.
Presentation Academy was the second school ever started in Louisville. Another public school tried to open in 1828 but quickly closed. This made Presentation Academy the oldest school in the city that has always been open.
Building and Growth
The school grew bigger over time. In 1891, the group that ran the school bought land and a house for $35,000. They decided to build a new school building. The new building was designed by D. X. Murphy and cost about $66,000.
In 1938, a gym and an auditorium were added. More classrooms were built in 1948. The school used to teach both elementary and high school students. But in 1945, it stopped teaching elementary students. This was to make room for more girls in the high school.
The school building has a special tower. It is built in a style called Richardsonian Romanesque. This tower was rebuilt after a fire in 1977. D.X. Murphy, who designed the school, also designed the famous clubhouse at Churchill Downs. In 2004, the building was named one of Louisville's ten favorite places. Many students have signed their names on the inside walls of the tower over the years.
Overcoming Challenges
In the 1950s and 1960s, about 800 students attended the school. But by 1993, only 230 students were left. The school also had a large debt of over $760,000. It was announced that the school would close in May 1995.
However, former students, current students, and parents worked together. They started a campaign to save the school. They successfully paid off the debt! The Sisters of Charity then gave control of the school to Spalding University. In 2004, the school became independent again. It was financially stable with a $6.2 million budget and formed its own board.
New Facilities
In 2006, the school bought a property across the street. This 22,000-square-foot (2,000 m2) space became the new Arts and Athletic Center. This new center replaced the old gym and auditorium. Construction on the $5 million building began in May 2008.
The Arts and Athletic Center officially opened on September 13, 2009. It was even named the "Best New Landmark of 2009."
School Traditions
Presentation Academy has some special traditions. Only senior students are allowed to use the front carpeted staircase. Freshmen use the front entrance on their very first day. Seniors use it on their last day. On their last day, seniors also sign their names inside the school's famous tower.
Every fall, the school holds an annual Walk-A-Thon. This event raises money to help students who need financial assistance. Each year has a different theme and a new T-shirt designed by a student. After a pep rally, the girls walk three miles around downtown Louisville to show their school spirit.
Campus Life
Presentation Academy is located in Downtown Louisville. This means students can easily walk to places like 4th Street Live!, the Main Library, and resources at Spalding University after school. Field trips are often taken on foot. Students might visit The Courier-Journal building, the Louisville Hall of Justice, the Muhammad Ali Center, or the Frazier History Museum.
The new Arts and Athletic Center opened in August 2009. It cost $5 million and is 29,600 square feet. This center replaced the old gym from 1938. It now holds the school's arts programs and athletic teams. The center has a gym with 700 seats, an auditorium with 300 seats, and studios for art and dance. It also has offices.
School Uniform
Like many private schools, Presentation Academy has a dress code. Students wear uniform shirts like white polo shirts, white oxford shirts, or light blue polo shirts. They can also wear a navy blue vest, a v-neck sweater, and pants. The original navy blue skirt or a new plaid skirt are also options. For colder months, there is a special winter uniform. It is a navy blue jacket and pants set.
Sports Teams
Presentation Academy offers many sports. Students can join teams for archery, volleyball, field hockey, soccer, cross country, and golf. Other sports include cheerleading, lacrosse, dance, basketball, swimming, softball, track, and tennis.
Clubs and Activities
There are many clubs for students to join. These include the Interact Club, Newspaper Club, and Book Club. Students can also join the Student Council, Believe Club, or Language and Culture Club. For those interested in science and math, there's the STEAM Club and Math and Robotics Club.
Other clubs are ATL Ushers, Podcasting Club, and Environmental Club. The Y Club (KYA/KUNA) is also popular. Honor societies include the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. There's also Girl Talk, International Thespian Society, Bowling Club, Mission Club, Drama Club, Anime Club, St. Joseph of Arimathea Society, Governor's Cup, and Prezettes.
Recent News
Spalding University has changed the area next to the historic Presentation building. They removed the old gym and turned that space into a green area. Presentation Academy also holds an annual event called the Tower Awards. This event helps raise money for the students and the school.
Achievements
- In 2005, students came to Presentation Academy from over 85 different areas in Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
Famous Former Students
- Mary Anderson, a stage actress
- Mia Zapata, lead singer for The Gits, who graduated in 1984
