Presentation Academy

Last updated
Presentation Academy
Presentation Academy (front).jpg
Address
Presentation Academy
861 South 4th Street

Louisville
,
(Jefferson County)
,
Kentucky
40203

United States
Coordinates 38°14′32″N85°45′34″W / 38.24222°N 85.75944°W / 38.24222; -85.75944
Information
Type Private, All-Girls
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established1831;193 years ago (1831)
FounderCatherine Spalding
PresidentLaura Dills '94
PrincipalBecca Noonan '00
Grades 9–12
Genderfemale
Color(s) Navy blue and white   
MascotTopper (Top Hat)
Nickname Toppers, Pres, P.A.
Accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools [1]
PublicationTower Yearbook (school annual); The Tower (newsletter)
Athletic DirectorJill O'Bryan
Website www.presentationacademy.org
Presentation Academy
Presentation Academy from the southwest.jpg
Front and southern side
Location Louisville, Kentucky
Built1893
Architect D.X. Murphy
Architectural style Richardsonian Romanesque
NRHP reference No. 78001364
Added to NRHP1978

Presentation Academy, a college-preparatory high school for young women, is located in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky, United States, just north of Old Louisville in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville. Founded in 1831 by Mother Catherine Spalding, foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, it is the oldest school in continuous operation in Louisville.

Contents

History

Mother Catherine Spalding founded Presentation in 1831. The school began in a rented house, but in October of the same year moved to its own building on Fourth Street where it would remain for over fifty years. Presentation was the second school founded in Louisville. A public school effort started in 1828 quickly failed due to lack of funds, and thus Presentation became the oldest school in continuous operation in the city. [2]

The school expanded, and in 1891 NLBI, the corporate arm of the religious community operating Presentation, bought a lot and house at the corner of Fourth and Breckenridge for $35,000. In June 1892, arrangements were made to replace the house, which had been built in 1867 by Thomas Jacobs, with a new building designed by D. X. Murphy. The building was to cost approximately $66,000. A gym and auditorium were added in 1938 and another class room addition to the rear was made in 1948. [2]

The school initially offered primary and secondary education, but closed the elementary section in 1945 to accommodate an increasing enrollment in the all-girls secondary school. The building features a distinctive Richardsonian Romanesque tower, which was rebuilt after a fire in 1977. It was designed by D.X. Murphy, who also designed the famous twin-spired clubhouse at Churchill Downs. [3] The building was listed in 2004 as one of Louisville's Ten favorites, according to the Courier-Journal. Generations of students have signed their names to the interior walls of the tower.

Enrollment was consistently around 800 students during the 1950s and 1960s, but by 1993 it had dropped to just 230 students, and the school was over $760,000 in debt. It was announced that the doors would close in May 1995. However, a successful grassroots campaign by alumnae, students, and parents paid off the debt; and the Sisters of Charity relinquished control of the school to nearby Spalding University. The school became independent again in 2004, after becoming financially stable with a $6.2 million budget, and created its own board of trustees. [4]

In 2006 the school purchased a 22,000-square-foot (2,000 m2) property across the street to serve as the current location of an Arts and Athletic Center [5] that replaced the past gym/auditorium (built in 1938 and now owned by Spalding University). Construction of this new $5 million building at 900 South Fourth Street, cattycorner to the existing campus, formally began with the ground breaking on May 5, 2008. [6] On Friday, January 23, 2009, Presentation Academy marked the placement of the final beam in the Arts and Athletic Center with a"Topping Off" ceremony. [7] The center was dedicated on September 13, 2009, and awarded the Best New Landmark of 2009 by www.brokensidewalk.com. [8]

The Tower Presentation Academy Tower.jpg
The Tower

Traditions

A long-standing tradition allows only seniors to use the front carpeted staircase. The front entrance is used by freshmen on their first day at Pres and by seniors on their last day. Also on their last day of school, seniors sign their names on the inside of the Tower.

Presentation's annual Walk-A-Thon is held every fall to raise money for students in need of financial assistance. [9] Each year has a different theme and a different T-shirt designed by a student. After money is raised and a pep rally is held, the girls walk three miles around downtown Louisville to show their school spirit.[ citation needed ]

Campus

Because Presentation Academy is located near the heart of Downtown Louisville, the students have after-school access to 4th Street Live!, the Main Library, and various Spalding University resources. Field trips are usually taken on foot, such as to The Courier-Journal building, the Louisville Hall of Justice, the Muhammad Ali Center, and the Frazier History Museum.

Presentation's Arts and Athletic Center Presentation A&A Center.jpg
Presentation's Arts and Athletic Center

The new $5 million, 29,600-square-foot Arts and Athletic Center [10] opened in August 2009, replaced the 1938 gymnasium, and houses the school's arts programs and Topper athletic teams. Designed by Gil Stein & Associates and built by Whittenberg Construction Co., the facility is a result of Tower Vision, Presentation Academy's first capital campaign. The Arts and Athletic center contains a 700-seat gymnasium, 300-seat auditorium, art & dance studios, and offices. [11]

Uniform

Like many other private schools, Presentation Academy has a dress code. Uniform shirts include the white polo, white oxford, and light blue polo. The navy blue vest, v-neck sweater, and pants may be worn, as can the original navy blue skirt or the new plaid skirt. Presentation also has the winter uniform, a navy blue jacket and pants set that may be worn during the colder months.

Sports

Presentation offers archery, volleyball, field hockey, soccer, cross country, golf, cheerleading, lacrosse, dance, basketball, swimming, softball, track, and tennis. [12]

Clubs

Extracurricular activities include the Interact Club, Newspaper Club, Book Club, Student Council, Believe Club, Language and Culture Club, STEAM Club, Math and Robotics Club, ATL Ushers, Podcasting Club, Environmental Club, Y Club (KYA/KUNA), National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Girl Talk, Science National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Bowling Club, Mission Club, Drama Club, Anime Club, St. Joseph of Arimathea Society, Governor's Cup, and Prezettes. [12]

Spalding University's green space construction, next to Presentation Spalding University's green space construction.jpg
Spalding University's green space construction, next to Presentation

Recent events

Spalding University has demolished the old one-story, limestone-clad, art-deco Presentation gym and has made the remaining space, next to the historic Presentation building, a green space. This institution hosts an annual event called Tower Awards that is primarily for fundraising for the students and school of Presentation Academy. [13]

Accomplishments

Notable alumnae

Related Research Articles

duPont Manual High School Public secondary magnet school in Louisville, Kentucky, United States

duPont Manual High School is a public magnet high school located in the Old Louisville neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky, United States. It serves students in grades 9–12. It is a part of the Jefferson County Public School District. DuPont Manual is recognized by the United States Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Washington University</span> Public university in Cheney, Washington, U.S.

Eastern Washington University (EWU) is a public university in Cheney, Washington. It also offers programs at a campus in EWU Spokane at the Riverpoint Campus and other campus locations throughout the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Louisville</span> Public research university in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.

The University of Louisville (UofL) is a public research university in Louisville, Kentucky. It is part of the Kentucky state university system. When founded in 1798, it was one of the first city-owned public colleges in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General Assembly to be a "Preeminent Metropolitan Research University". It enrolls students from 118 of 120 Kentucky counties, all 50 U.S. states, and 116 countries around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Louisville</span> United States historic place

Old Louisville is a historic district and neighborhood in central Louisville, Kentucky, United States. It is the third largest such district in the United States, and the largest preservation district featuring almost entirely Victorian architecture. It is also unique in that a majority of its structures are made of brick, and the neighborhood contains the highest concentration of residential homes with stained glass windows in the U.S. Many of the buildings are in the Victorian-era styles of Romanesque, Queen Anne, Italianate, among others; and many blocks have had few or no buildings razed. There are also several 20th-century buildings from 15 to 20 stories.

Sacred Heart Academy is an all-girls Roman Catholic high school in Louisville, Kentucky. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville. Sacred Heart Academy was founded in 1877 and is a sponsored school of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. It has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence twice and is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. It first achieved International Baccalaureate (IB) World School status in 1997. It is one of only two schools in the city and the only Catholic school in the state to offer IB.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spalding University</span> Private Catholic university in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.

Spalding University is a private Catholic university in Louisville, Kentucky. It is affiliated with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catherine Spalding</span> Elected leader of six women forming a new religious community, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

Catherine Spalding, known as Mother Spalding, was an American educator who was a co-founder and longtime mother superior of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. She pioneered education, health services and social services for girls and orphans in Louisville and other Kentucky cities. On January 6, 2003, the Louisville Courier-Journal named Spalding as the only woman among sixteen "most influential people in Louisville/Jefferson County history."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ottumwa High School</span> Public secondary school in Ottumwa, Iowa, United States

Ottumwa High School is a public high school located in Ottumwa, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Ottumwa Community School District, and is the district's only high school. It was established in 1923. The school sports mascot is a bulldog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center</span> Multi-purpose arena on the campus of Kent State University

The Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, often referred to as the MAC Center and the MACC, is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The building is primarily used as an athletic venue that is home to five Kent State Golden Flashes varsity athletic teams: men's basketball, women's basketball, women's volleyball, women's gymnastics, and wrestling. In addition, it hosts commencement exercises, speakers, and concerts throughout the year. The building houses the offices of the Kent State Athletic Department and the coaches of each of the university's varsity athletic teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bishop England High School</span> School in Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Bishop England High School is a diocesan Roman Catholic four-year high school in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. It was located on Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston until it moved to a newly constructed 40-acre campus located on Daniel Island in 1998. With an enrollment of 730, Bishop England is the largest private high school in the state of South Carolina. The school was founded in 1915 and was named after John England, the first bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston.

Our Lady of Mercy Academy is a private Catholic College preparatory school for young women, founded in 1928 in Syosset, NY. The academy is governed by a board of directors and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic High School (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)</span> School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

Catholic High School is a private, Catholic college-preparatory day school run by the United States Province of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was founded in 1894 as St. Vincent's Academy. It offers grades eight through twelve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ravenna High School (Ohio)</span> Secondary school in Ravenna, Ohio, United States

Ravenna High School is a public high school located in Ravenna, Ohio, United States. It is the only high school in the Ravenna School District and serves students primarily in Ravenna and Ravenna Township. The school's colors are blue, white, and red and its athletic teams are known as the Ravens.

Saint Gertrude High School is an independent Catholic college preparatory day school for young women grades 9–12 in Richmond, Virginia. It was founded in 1922 by the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, of Bristow Monastery, and is still owned and governed by the order, although the day-to-day operations are run by lay administrative and teaching staff. The school's goal is to provide young women with an academic education in an environment of Christian values and cultural diversity.

Liberty Station is a mixed-use development in San Diego, California, on the site of the former Naval Training Center San Diego. It is located in the Point Loma community of San Diego. It has a waterfront location, on a boat channel off of San Diego Bay, just west of the San Diego Airport and a few miles north of Downtown San Diego. The 361-acre (1.46 km2) project includes several distinct districts: a retail and commercial district, a promenade focused on nonprofit activities, an arts district, educational district, residential district, hotel district, office district, and a park/open space area along the boat channel.

The Academy of Our Lady is a private high school for girls on the west bank of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Pleasure Ridge Park High School is a public secondary school in the Pleasure Ridge Park neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. It is part of the Jefferson County Public Schools (Kentucky) district. It is next to Greenwood Road Elementary School and Valley Sports Little League.

Arizona State University Tempe campus is the main campus of Arizona State University, and the largest of the five campuses that comprise the university. The campus lies in the heart of Tempe, Arizona, about eight miles (13 km) east of downtown Phoenix. The campus is considered urban, and is approximately 642 acres (2.6 km2) in size. The campus is arranged around broad pedestrian malls and, in toto, is considered to be an arboretum. ASU has an extensive public art collection, considered one of the ten best among university public art collections in the United States. Against the northwest edge of campus is the Mill Avenue district which has a college atmosphere that attracts many students to its restaurants and bars. ASU's Tempe Campus is also home to all of the university's athletic facilities.

Pan-Asia International School, or PAIS, is an International School located in Prawet District, Bangkok, Thailand, and a member of the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT). Established in 2004, PAIS provides international education built upon American standards with a strong emphasis on eastern culture to over 470 students representing more than 41 nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nebraska City High School</span> Public school in Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska, United States

Nebraska City High School is the public secondary school in Nebraska City, Nebraska, United States. It serves 9th through 12th grades. The athletic teams of all Nebraska City Public Schools are named the Pioneers. NCHS is located at 141 Steinhart Park Road.

References

  1. ↑ SACS-CASI. "SACS-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement". Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
  2. 1 2 Presentation Academy NRHP Inventory Form (Report). National Register of Historic Places. 1978-12-22.
  3. ↑ Poynter, Chris (2004-11-14). "Presenting your favorite Louisville buildings". Courier-Journal. p. 1L.; "The Tower:Special 175th Anniversary Edition", p.5
  4. ↑ Kenning, Chris (2004-01-14). "Presentation ready to run itself without Spalding aid". Courier-Journal. p. 1B.
  5. ↑ Arts and Athletic Center
  6. ↑ "The Tower" Winter 2009
  7. ↑ Edelen, Sheryl (2009-01-28). "Presentation of Achievement". Courier-Journal.
  8. ↑ "The Tower" Winter/Spring 2010
  9. ↑ "Presentation Academy". Archived from the original on 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2013-04-08.
  10. ↑ Arts and Athletic Center
  11. ↑ "Presentation to break ground on new arts and athletic facility -- April 2008". 2008-04-28.
  12. 1 2 Tower Yearbook 2009
  13. ↑ "Tower Awards". Presentation Academy. Presentation Academy. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  14. ↑ Kenning, Chris (2005-06-15). "Presentation Academy hires president". Courier-Journal. p. 1B.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.