History

The first racially integrated school in South Carolina, St. Anne has a distinguished history spanning more than 50 years.

One of 28 accredited Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Charleston, St. Anne was first opened on Saluda Street in 1951 with kindergarten and first grade classes.  In 1953, a new building was constructed on South Jones Avenue.  The 1953-54 school year Saint Anne operated as the first racially integrated school in the state.  Sisters of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from West Chester, Pennsylvania served as faculty and staff of the school from 1958 to 1992.  Gradually through the years lay teachers were added.

In the fall of 1992 St. Anne began the year with a faculty, administration and staff comprised completely of lay people.  In 1998, St. Anne School, along with St. Anne Church, completed construction of the present building on Bird Street, which comprises the school and parish family life center.  The school celebrated its 50th anniversary during the 2001-02 school year.