History
In August of 1902, five Dominican sisters from Adrian began teaching classes to children in grades first through eighth in a convent located on the southeast corner of Main and Cedar Streets in Westown. The first 8th-grade graduation class in 1905 had only four graduates. The ceremony was held in an opera house located on North Washington Street.
In 1919, a high school was added, requiring more room than the convent had at that time. The building located on Main Street was opened in 1927. The first St. Paul football team was coached by the Rev. Fr. Thomas Beahan. The journey to the first game was made in a bread wagon. By 1930, the curriculum was accredited by the University of Michigan. The high school prospered and was renowned as both a scholastic and athletic powerhouse in the area for many years. However, because of a shortage of funds caused by the statewide defeat of parochiaid, the high school closed its doors in 1971. As an elementary and middle school, St. Paul continued its rich educational legacy in this building until the move was made in 2020 to its new location on Oliver Street.
At the Oliver Street location, St. Paul School enrolls students in preschool through sixth grade; and is fully accredited by the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools (MANS). St. Paul School offers a Catholic Liberal Education that is rich in literature and natural and social science. Students learn to be critical thinkers who can approach challenges with clarity and reasoning and where Christ is at the center of all things. The core subjects are enhanced with music, art, PE, and S.T.E.A.M. St. Paul school is also a member of the Lansing Catholic Youth Athletic Conference.
