IT'S ALL IN A NAME: St. Mary’s school goes back to name it used 150 years ago

Related Photos

Staff photo by Kevin McGloshen
Staff photos by Kevin McGloshen

Discussion

January 28, 2010

By TARA HETTINGER The News and Tribune Thu Jan 28, 2010, 10:28 PM EST

St. Mary’s Catholic School, in New Albany, is taking a step back to move forward.

The school is going back to its original name used 150 years ago as well as starting a new branding/logo with the church, which is adjacent to the school.

“We’re now St. Mary’s Catholic Academy,” said Principal Andrea Kraft. “We really feel like it’s something that really identifies us better and brings us closer as a group identifying with the church and school. We’re really trying to make ourselves more distinctive.”

Part of that includes a new logo — modeled after a design in the church’s marble flooring that stands for Hail Mary — that would be used by every group with the church and school.

The Rev. Henry Tully said previously each group, such as those who minister to the sick, had their own logo and look. He said this will help unify the church and school.

“What we’re trying to do is help people understand that this is a communityof faith and we are all part of this community,” Tully said. “The logo should be something that marks us as that community. When people see it they will know those people are from St. Mary’s.”

“We want people to see that brand and that emblem and recognize exactly without having to see the name of our school what it represents,” Kraft said. “That’s what we want. We want people to see this brand and know it’s us. Our parish. Our school.”

Tully said switching from “school” to “academy” also describes the institution better, adding that now it shows the focus is on academics and that there’s a demand for parent participation and involvement in the educational process.

“There’s more involved in that than the aspect of I’m sending my child to school today,” he said, adding that it helps to emphasize that the school offers a top-notch education.

Kraft and Tully both said they hope this new image means more growth for the school. Kraft said the school has 100 students in pre-school through eighth grade right now. She said the maximum for the building for kindergarten through eighth would be 225.

“I’m hoping we see some results next year, but I do think it’s something that will take time,” Kraft said. “Right now, we’re in the process of letting our parishioners and campus members take ownership of it. As we do that, we’re rolling it out more to the public. I’m hoping by the end of next year, we will really see that growth as a result of all the changes we’re making.”

Already the school has a new billboard off of Interstate 64 displaying its new image.

Kraft said this change comes just in time, with the school hosting an open house this weekend. Kraft said the school’s best sales people, its students, will be there along with staff members to answer any questions people have.