Prep Founder's Day - Happy 107!

Today, September 27, 2022 marks 107 years of Prepping students for Life…

Prep opened its doors in 1915 as Xavier University Preparatory.  In 2013, Prep continued its legacy and opened as St. Katharine Drexel Prep, a tribute to its foundress, St. Katharine Drexel.

Prep is a Catholic, private college preparatory school that provides for the holistic development of Christian young ladies through the harmonious blending of spiritual, moral, intellectual, and physical strengths.  Drexel Prep stresses academic excellence while cultivating students’ self-esteem and leadership skills to improve local and global communities. 

Facts to Know:
 

• On September 9^th, the sisters began recruiting students. One sister wrote that the comments were all the same, “You will have plenty scholars,” meaning that the school would flourish because there was an urgent need for its existence. 
• The opening of the school was covered by the local newspaper, “The Morning Star.” Mother Katharine arrived in New Orleans on September 11, 1915 to supervise the proceedings.
• Registration began on September 13^th with 50 students enrolled.  By the end of the week, 200 students had entered the doors of “Southern University” under the patronage of St. Francis Xavier.  The school would offer “industrial courses for girls, mechanical courses for boys, high school and normal schoolwork.”
• Finally opening day dawned, September 27, 1915, and it was a glorious success. 
• On June 15, 1916, the first commencement was held at St. Francis Xavier.  Many from the huge crowd had to be turned away because there were not enough seats in the auditorium.  The first annual alumni reunion was held in July 1916. 

Today we celebrate Prep by thanking those that are committed to continuing the Drexel Dream.

Thank YOU:

Our Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
St. Katharine Drexel
The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
5116 Magazine St. Corporation
Prep’s Board of Directors
Drexel Prep Foundation
Xavier/St. Katharine Drexel Prep Alumni Association
Prep’s Faculty
Prep’s Staff
Prep’s Administration
Prep’s Students
Prep’s Parents
Prep’s Grandparents
Prep’s Family and Friends
Prep’s Alumni: Our Brothers – to all male graduates up until the Class of 1970
Prep’s Alumni: Our Sisterhood
Prep’s Donors
Prep’s Business Supporters
Prep’s Neighbors
Prep’s Greater New Orleans Community
And to all supporters near and far

Today we say Congratulations Prep and We Pray for many, many more years!

How are we celebrating?

We are asking YOU to share a throwback picture, send your prayers and wishes, and/or invest with your time, talent, and treasure.  (LINK)

We are celebrating TODAY (September 27, 2022) – October 3, 2022

We are so appreciative of your continued support and commitment to our students, our mission, and continuing the Drexel Dream.