School History
Our School History - excerpts from “Our Story” by Bonnie Annicchiarico
Growing Stronger, Growing Deeper, Reaching Higher - 25 Years of Catholic
CALLED: Founders 1992-1999
The formation and foundation of a Catholic School in Brooks began in the early 1990s and rested in the hands of a small group of advocates from St. Mary’s Parish. They organized and conducted a census of the entire Brooks community. Then they hosted three separate votes in 1992, 1993, and 1995. Yes, three votes! It took those three votes, countless conversations, endless prayers, times of challenge, moments of deep reflection and, without doubt, the movement of the Holy Spirit to bring Catholic education to the community of Brooks.
In the winter of 1996, a decision was made to join Christ the Redeemer Catholic School Division. A trustee was elected and a name of the new school was chosen: Holy Family Academy. We thank God for calling advocates, educators, parents and students to be part of opening Holy Family Academy, Kindergarten to Grade seven, in August 1996.
ENTRUSTED: Builders 1999-2002
By 1999, Holy Family Academy had more than 300 students in Kindergarten to Grade nine and more than 38 teachers. The conversation began about the need for a Catholic high school. In January of that year, a visioning weekend was held and a decision was made to form St. Joseph’s Collegiate that September. Holy Family transformed into a Kindergarten to Grade six school, with the new administration and the gathering of Elementary teachers and Educational Assistants.
GATHERED: Leaders 2002-2014
Over the next dozen years, the communities of Holy Family Academy and St. Joseph’s Collegiate grew and strengthened. Excellent, faith-filled teachers continued to deepen student learning and shape student faith.
The newly created space added a large, accessible gym that could accommodate Phys. Ed. classes for both schools. Strong academics continued to be a hallmark of Brooks Catholic Schools. Student enrolment was skyrocketing.
In the course of these years, new students arrived from around the world. At the outset, a number of students from Sudan, Nigeria and other African nations enrolled. Many students and families were refugees, often bringing a history of trauma and refugee camps with them. These students enriched our culture and challenged us as educators. Our student population continued to change rapidly with students arriving from Latin America, the Philippines and Eastern Europe.
Holy Family and St. Joseph’s educators gathered, consulted experts, hired strategically and developed a thoughtful response to English Language Learning (ELL).
INSPIRED: Witnesses 2014-2021+
In 2014, Christ The King Academy opened its doors. With the formation of this middle school, Grades five to eight, a reconfiguration of Holy Family Academy and St. Joseph’s was made.
Holy Family Academy became a Kindergarten to Grade four school and relocated into the old Central Elementary School building next to the original Holy Family Academy building. Over the past eight years, Holy Family Academy has continued to grow in population to over 400 students and 26 teachers. The tradition and culture of a faith-filled learning community, strong academics, and a safe and caring environment continue to be present in Holy Family Academy.
Catholic education in Brooks was started by a small group of courageous advocates. More than 25 years later, much has changed yet the essentials have stayed the same. A deep, committed and unwavering faith in God is the reason for our schools.