HISTORY

Saint Luke School was built through a tithing program implemented by Saint Luke Parish. At that time, mass was held in the Gymnasium. Opening in September 1962, with a capacity for 50 students in grades one through five, Saint Luke School welcomed the Felician Sisters from Lodi , New Jersey, as its teaching faculty. The Sisters were housed in the former rectory on Congress Lane and the priest moved into what is now the faculty work space. Parents provided regular Religious education instruction for approximately 250 students. The year 1963 marked the first parish celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Eucharist.

Eventually, Saint Luke School expanded from four grades to eight and kindergarten was added in 1985. A convent was built, the house on Congress Lane sold and property on Dead Run Drive was purchased to house priests. Eventually the convent became a parish center and the house became a private residence. Upon departure of the Sisters, lay teachers were hired to instruct students. Although today no Sisters remain, the atmosphere of developing the whole person in spirituality and love of God permeate our classrooms and hallways. Our largely Catholic faculty is committed to excellence, not only in education, but also to the spiritual development of their students.

In June 1979, the parish split into Saint Catherine of Sienna in Great Falls and Saint Luke in McLean. Many of the children from Great Falls, as well as Reston, Herndon and Vienna, continue to attend Saint Luke School. In 1982, Saint Luke Church opened, replacing what had become known as Our Lady of the Gymnasium.

In 1985, a wing was added to the North side of the building to house a kindergarten and a new, enlarged library. In November 1991, the school remodeled the gym, adding rooms for music, art and slsadministrative offices. After a successful development campaign in 1996, construction of a new school wing, housing the middle school, a science lab, and a multi-use facility to service the needs of the parish, began in the Fall of 1997.

While still in the planning stage it was decided to expand the gym to its original size. A music room, stage, and kitchen were added to the West side of the gym. Classrooms vacated by the middle school children were renovated. These included a new art room, a computer room, and space for the Ron Cahill Enrichment Center. The faculty room was renovated and new administrative offices added, providing space for a clinic and volunteer meeting room in the administrative area developed in 1991. The space most recently used as an Enrichment Center was renovated and became the French room.

During the summer of 2008, elementary classrooms received a face lift to include new whiteboards and cabinets. The Enrichment Center was replaced and re-dedicated as the Elizabeth Seton Center for Language Arts. The space formerly known as the Teacher Workroom Space was reclaimed as a classroom for French Language instruction.

In 2009, thanks to the generosity of the PTO, all classrooms were fitted with Activboard Technology and 20 new workstations were purchased for the faculty. In addition, the Computer Lab received a much need face lift during the summer of 2010. New cabinetry, lighting, painting and a reconfigured lab received thirty-two new workstations. This beautiful state-of-the-art facility will delight students and give them the technology tools they will need for the future.

Science Lab upgrades continued Saint Luke Schools commitment to S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Lab Learner, a completely hands-on and spiraled approach to science instruction was purchased and installed. All students (K-8) will use the lab to conduct scientific inquiry.

In 2012, the kindergarten classroom was completely renovated to create a bright, spacious place where children can thrive.

In 2013, the Preschool program was introduced to serve three and four-year-old children. This is a developmentally appropriate program that prepares children for our kindergarten. To provide outdoor gross-motor exercise a new Preschool playground was installed.

In 2014, Saint Luke School was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School for Academic Excellence!