St Marguerite d'Youville Catholic Secondary School Celebrates 20 years 1995 - 2015
The story of St. Marguerite d’Youville Secondary School is a chronicle of relationships between the faculty, students and parents, who together with virtue and faith have made it their mission to serve young people in the community. The tie that binds our school community together is our patron - Saint Marguerite d’Youville.
About St. Marguerite d'Youville
Marguerite d’Youville, the first Canadian to be elevated to sainthood, was born October 15, 1701, in Varennes, Quebec. Pope John XXIII beatified Marguerite d’Youville on May 3, 1959, calling her the "Mother of Universal Charity" - a well merited title for a woman who continues even today to reach out to the needy with love and compassion.
By age 29, Marguerite d’Youville experienced poverty and suffered the loss of her father and husband. To make matters worse, four of her six children died as infants. Despite these hardships Marguerite d’Youville grew in her belief of God and in his tender love for every human being. She, in turn, wanted to make his compassionate love known to all. She undertook many charitable works with complete trust in God, who she loved as a Father. She provided for the education of her two sons, who later became priests and she welcomed a blind woman into her home. Marguerite d’Youville was soon joined by three young women who shared her love and concern for the poor. On December 31, 1737, they consecrated themselves to God and promised to serve him in the person of the poor. Marguerite d’Youville, without even realizing it, became the founder of the Sisters of Charity of Montreal – an order known as the "Grey Nuns".
Marguerite d’Youville may have been one woman, but this daughter of the Church had a vision of caring for the poor that has spread far and wide.
About St. Marguerite d'Youville The School
Like our patron saint, St. Marguerite d’Youville Secondary School had a very humble beginning. Under the stewardship of Principal Wayne Marchand the school opened its doors in 1995 and welcomed 135 eager and enthusiastic grade 9 and 10 students. The school operated out of the Glenvale campus while planning was underway to build a new and more modern building on Dixie Road. Year after year the student population grew as did the teaching staff, departments and extra-curricular activities. By 2001, under the directorship of Principal Dave Dolan, planning and construction of the new Dixie Road campus was nearing completion. In September 2002, the new school on Dixie Road was finally complete. Over 800 students accompanied by 80 staff moved into a modern and spacious new building equipped to meet the challenges of teaching and learning in the digital age.
Just as the Springdale community has grown so too has St. Marguerite d’Youville Secondary School. St. Marguerite d’Youville Secondary School's student population of 1200 students and 120 staff. It is a vibrant and active school that continues to thrive. Under the guidance of Principal Rob Weatherbee the school reached new heights in academic achievement, faith-formation and athletics.
The school has changed dramatically to offer an extensive and differentiated program that is responsive to the needs of a diverse population of learners in the 21st Century. Provincial literacy and numeracy scores have soared in recent years and graduation rates have never been higher. Although society rapidly changes around us we continue to adapt but also remain grounded in the school's motto: “To Trust, To Risk, To Love, To Serve”. Like St. Marguerite d’Youville, the school continues to ensure safety, well-being and a sense of belonging for all students and staff. In partnership with our parish we regularly reach out to those in need and do our best to care for the young people of our community in the hope that one day they will accomplish great things in their own unique way.