Mission and History

From Europe to the New World

The Ursulines first spread throughout Europe. Then they sent missionaries to the New World.

Founded in 1639, L'Ecole des Ursulines de Quebec is the oldest institution of learning for young women in North America.

The Ursuline Academy of New Orleans, begun in 1727, is the oldest continuously operating school for young women in the United States.

 

The Ursuline School Beginnings

1897 The first class, 60 day students and 10 boarders, came to Leland Castle in New Rochelle.

1916 Officially called Merici School, the curriculum and buildings expanded.

1929 The Ursuline School, at that point a K-12 day school, moved to our present location at 1354 North Avenue.

1940 The class of 1940 became the first to receive school rings in a ceremony that became known as Ring Day, and which continues to the present time. The ring is inscribed with the words from the Leland family seal, "Ac fui", meaning "I was there, I was a part".

1960 Construction began on a second building to provide more classroom and administrative space.

1970s The school was redefined to encompass grades 7-12.

1981 The Tully Family Auditorium - Gymnasium was built thanks to the generous support of the Tully family.

This enabled a new space for math/computer rooms and an updated library, now named the Gabelli Library in recognition of the generosity of the Gabelli family.

1986 The chapel of St. Angela was added. Five state-of-the-art science labs were also built.

1988 The 6th grade was re-established.

1997 Inauguration of a 1-to-1 student laptop program, in conjunction with a school computer network, website, and educational learning system

2002 Mooney Hancock Arts Center was constructed and named after the lead donor, Ellen Mooney Hancock '61. It houses the 300-seat Auriana Theater, endowed by the generous Auriana family, as well as orchestra and chorus practice rooms, a dance studio, a dark room, and 4 art classrooms

2008 The original 80-year-old building was restored.

2011 The Sr. Anne Therese Dillen Media Arts Center was established thanks to a substantial gift from the Nasti family.

2012 Major Construction.  An outdoor gathering space was added and named the JB Commons, after the long-time Principal and first President of our school, Sr. Jean Baptiste Nicholson, OSU. It was designed by renowned landscape designer Mary Reynolds.

Later this same year, a state-of-the-art turf field replaced the grass field. It was named Kelly Mac Field, in recognition of Kelly MacGillivray '07 and her generous grandparents, the Murphys.

At the end of this year, a modern locker room was added.

2013 Campaign, Global Education

The $8 million Campaign for The Ursuline School: Fulfilling the Promise for Generations of Women concluded successfully. It was the largest fundraising initiative in the school's history.

The Global Education & Serviam Program was formally launched. It builds upon previous trips to Europe and visits from other Ursuline student groups. This Program leverages our relationships with Ursuline schools around the globe and the shared call to service.

2019 -2022 Innovation Campaign

The $8.5 million capital campaign Building on the Tradition of Innovation #TUSTimeIsNow! will achieve three goals for Ursuline students:

1. Build new spaces in line with 21st century learning approaches.

2. Improve general campus functionality.

3. Incorporate new security features.