Our goal at St. Raphael Catholic School is to educate the total person in a vibrant Christian community where each individual is recognized and respected, where religious values are central, and where academic excellence is achieved.

Faculty members at St. Raphael’s are selected for their academic qualifications, professional experience, interest in young people, and willingness to guide children in the teachings of Jesus. The classroom environment is structured to challenge students to perform to their fullest potential. Students learn to read effectively, to communicate clearly, and to think logically. Our students consistently score in the highest percentiles on national standardized tests. Art, music, physical education, and a wide variety of extracurricular activities round out our program.

It is through our emphasis on academic excellence and our belief that God is present in every person that our school helps students achieve their full potential and become moral leaders committed to the social concerns of the times.

Parents, faculty, and the staff of St. Raphael’s work together as a family to provide a caring, supportive environment where children experience the joy of learning.

HISTORY OF SAINT RAPHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL

In 1964, Monsignor Michael A. Carey, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church purchased 35 acres in North Raleigh in recognition of the growing number of Catholics in the area. Construction was begun, and in 1966, Most Reverend Vincent S. Waters, third bishop of Raleigh, dedicated St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church to serve the Catholic population of North Raleigh. Reverend John L. Richardson was named the first pastor.

As the parish grew, the need for space for a religious education program and early childhood education became apparent. In 1979 the Early Childhood Center opened its doors under the direction
of Sister Francis Clare Ugast. Classes were held in trailers; there were two teachers, two assistants, and 33 three and four year olds. Under the direction of Father Gerald L. Lewis, third pastor of Saint
Raphael, construction of the Parish Center was initiated, and in 1980, the new building was dedicated by Most Reverend F. Joseph Gossman, then Bishop of Raleigh. Space for the Early Childhood
Center, as well as religious education and parish organizations was now available. ECC moved into the new Parish Center and a half day kindergarten class was added.

In 1989, Reverend J. Paul Byron was named pastor. Because the demands of the kindergarten curriculum were difficult to meet in a half day program, and because Our Lady of Lourdes had established two kindergarten classes, the decision was made to drop the ECC kindergarten program and focus on 2-, 3-, and 4-year olds and their needs. Our parish continued to grow rapidly, and by 1992 plans were made and finalized for the establishment of an elementary school to serve children in Kindergarten through third grade. In 1994, St. Raphael Catholic School opened its doors to the first Kindergarten class, serving 26 children of the parish and neighboring community. Each year thereafter, another grade was added to the school, and by 1998, the school expanded to include a second kindergarten and first grade, and the vision of eventually growing into a full kindergarten through eighth grade school was embraced.

Tragedy struck our Guardian family in 2000, when third grader Ryan O’Connell was taken home to God. In his memory, the Ryan O’Connell Memorial Scholarship was founded by the O’Connell family, and still today is a special fund for the assistance of SRCS families who come under unexpected duress.

Reverend Robert Curry SJ, assumed the position of pastor when the Maryland Jesuit province agreed to staff the parish. In 2001, during his tenure, construction on a new school building was begun, and
the new Saint Raphael Catholic School building opened in 2002 as Reverend Francis Gillespie SJ became the sixth pastor of the parish. Saint Raphael Catholic School graduated its first eighth grade class in 2003 – a milestone! In 2005, SRCS opened with two of every grade from kindergarten through eight for the first time. SRCS was honored in 2004 to have on staff the Lewis Award winner for that year – kindergarten teacher Sue Hoying. But sorrow again would fill our halls, when in 2007 Mrs. Hoying, like Ryan before her, was called home to God. That following spring of 2008, however,
saw SRCS honored once again with a Lewis Award winner – second grade teacher Jo-Ann Colopy, who had been the first kindergarten teacher of SRCS!

The year 2008 saw a change in pastoral leadership as the Reverend Robert Hussey SJ became the seventh pastor of the parish, and Mr. Barry Thomas assumed leadership of the school. Today we proudly serve over 450 students in grades kindergarten through eight.

Administrators of Saint Raphael Catholic School

1994 – 1998 Mrs. Rosalie Innacelli
1998 – 1999 Mrs. Rita Crocker
1999 – 2002 Mr. John Pendergrass

2003 – 2004 Mrs. Marilyn Kasper
Assistant: Ms. Beth Shannon
Assistant: Mr. Louis Pappalardo

2004 – 2006 Mr. Louis Pappalardo
Assistant: Ms. Joanna Burley

2006 – 2008 Ms. Joanna Burley
Assistant: Mr. Christopher Sutton
Assistant: Mrs. Nicole Wright

2008 – present Mr. Barry Thomas
Assistant: Mrs. Nicole Wright

Currently Mr. Barry Thomas
Assistant: Mrs. Krista Ashe