Stella Niagara Education Park facts for kids

Stella Niagara Education Park is a special place in Lewiston, New York. It is a Catholic elementary school, a home for nuns (called a convent), and a place for visitors. The Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity started it in 1908.

History of Stella Niagara Education Park

The Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity is a group of nuns. They were founded in 1835 in the Netherlands. Some of the Sisters moved to the United States in 1874. They opened their first home in Buffalo, New York.

Moving to Stella Niagara

More space was needed for the Sisters. So, in 1907, some of them moved to a former home near the Niagara River. The next year, they started building a new convent. It was named "Our Lady of the Sacred Heart." A friend suggested the name "Stella Niagara," inspired by an old hymn.

Early School Days

The new building opened in 1908. It was a school for both boys and girls. It was also a boarding school for high school girls. This school was called the Seminary of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. It operated until 1970.

In 1929, a new part of the building was added. It included a gym, a swimming pool, and an auditorium. Students and local groups still use these facilities today.

New Programs and Changes

In 1935, a new elementary school for boys opened. It was called the Stella Niagara Cadet Program. In 1964, the Stella Niagara chapel was decorated by an artist named Joseph Slawinski.

In 1971, Stella Niagara Education Park officially opened. It received a special approval from the New York State Board of Regents. In 1979, over 200 people from Love Canal moved to Stella Niagara. This happened during a time when their homes were being cleaned up.

The Post Office for the small town of Stella Niagara, New York is located right on the campus.

Protecting the Land

In 2015, a group called the Western New York Land Conservancy bought 29 acres of land from the Sisters. This land has a quarter-mile of shoreline along the Niagara River. It is now called the Stella Niagara Preserve. It is the largest undeveloped piece of land along the river that is privately owned. Many birds can be seen there.

Stella Niagara School Programs

The Stella Niagara Education Park school teaches children from preschool through eighth grade. Preschool starts for children aged three to five years old. As of 2022, about 170 students attend the school. There is one teacher for every eight students.

School Curriculum

The school teaches important subjects like math, reading, and science. Students also learn computer skills and foreign languages. Art classes are part of the curriculum too. The school is approved by the Middle States Association.

Student Life and Activities

Students at Stella Niagara are required to take physical education classes. The school encourages students to join sports teams. Religion classes are also a required part of the school day. Mass (a Catholic church service) is held at the school on religious holidays.

Center of Renewal: Hospitality for All

Stella Niagara Education Park also has a place for visitors called the Center of Renewal. This center offers religious and spiritual guidance. It also hosts group retreats and workshops for people who want to learn and grow.

See also

• St. Francis of Assisi
• Third Order of St. Francis