OUR HISTORY
St. Anthony Catholic School is a historical landmark nestled near downtown Fort Lauderdale. The school was constructed in 1926, designed by the famous architect Francis Abreau. St. Anthony Catholic School has the distinct honor of being the first Catholic school established in Broward County. In September of 1926, St. Anthony Catholic School opened its doors under the pastoral direction of Father Michael Mullaly and Sister Marguerite Cichansk, OP, Principal. Adrian Dominican Sisters taught and administered St. Anthony Catholic School from its foundation, until 1982.
In 1928 Father John J. O’Looney became the pastor of St. Anthony Catholic Church and was the driving force for Catholic education throughout Fort Lauderdale. In 1952 grades nine through twelve were transferred to another site. That high school was originally named Central Catholic High School, which was later renamed, and is known today as, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. Father Timothy G. Hannon became pastor of Saint Anthony Catholic Church in 1982, and secured the services of the Order of the Marist Brothers, with Brother Thomas Aquinas, FMS becoming the first brother principal. After the untimely death of Brother Thomas in 1986, Mrs. Elaine L. Patterson became the first lay principal. Father Jerry Singleton was the Pastor of Saint Anthony Catholic Church until 2014 when Father Michael Grady became the Pastor and is currently leading the way for continued enhancements and advancements to St. Anthony Catholic School. The school is now under the direction of Ms. Jenna McIntosh who was assigned as principal in 2022.
Today St. Anthony Catholic School has an enrollment of over 430 students. The school consists of PreK3 through 8th Grade. The students, faculty, and staff begin the day during flag raising by reciting the St. Anthony Catholic School Student Mission Statement, which emphasizes and reinforces what we are all about.
