History of St. Andrew School

In the late 1970’s and the early 1980’s, Fr. Timothy Murphy, pastor at St. Andrew Catholic Church and several parishioners had a dream… a vision to build a Catholic elementary school in Cape Coral that would provide a faith-based and academic curriculum for the youngest of our community.

In 1989 that dream came true when St. Andrew Catholic School was founded by six Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters: Sr. Elizabeth Dunn, Sr. Martha Rohde, Sr. Barbara Becker, Sr. Karinne O’Malley, Sr. Loretta McCook, and Sr. Bernadette Tamm.  The Sinsinawa belief is grounded in the gospel vision of truth, justice and holiness.  On August 20, 1989, under the leadership of the Sr. Elizabeth Dunnas principal, the school opened serving Grades K through 3 with 90 students.  Each subsequent year a new grade level was added. 

By 1991 enrollment increased, and the school was expanded to allow for 3 kindergarten classes and 2 each grades 1 through 8.  School enrollment has varied from 330 to 520 students.  St. Andrew Catholic School is the newest elementary school in the Diocese of Venice and is accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference which holds Catholic Schools to High Standard. 

After 10 years of unconditional love and nurturing, the Dominican Sisters set off to Fernandina Beach continuing their mission and establishing another school founded in the roots of the Catholic faith. In August, 1998, Mrs. Peg Horan became the first lay principal. Mrs. Horan was an instrumental in carrying forward the values of the Dominican Sisters and with keeping pace with new technologies. 

After 8 years of love and dedicated service Mrs. Peg Horan retired as principal and Sister Elizabeth Meegan took the reins. Sister Elizabeth brought along with her Sister Anne, Sister Charlotte, and Sister Lynne who are equally dedicated with years of service fostering the faith and continuing the tradition of academic excellence St. Andrew’s is known for. 

Through the years, St Andrew has been blessed by supportive parents who have dedicated themselves and formed our Home and School Association, Patrons of the Arts, Athletic Booster Club and each year organize our largest school community event – the Annual Festival.