SCHOOL HISTORY

In 1930, Bishop Rudolph A. Gerkin purchased the present church property near the new Catholic hospital. Then in 1948 two buildings were purchased from a Dalhart Army field. One was cut in half and reassembled into St. Anthony’s School and parish hall. The other building was used as a new church building. On June 13, 1949, Bishop Fitz Simon dedicated St. Anthony’s Church and School. However the school would not open until five years later as the parish sought the commitment of an order of Sisters to teach. In early 1954, Father James Fitzgerald arranged for the School Sisters of St. Francis, who had just recently established headquarters in Panhandle, to teach in the school. Property across the street from the school was purchased and a new convent was erected.

St. Anthony’s Catholic School opened for the fall term in 1954 with 54 students enrolled in grades one through four. Sister Amata and Sister Timothy were teachers who remained at St. Anthony’s until their retirement in 1980 and 1985 respectively. In 1955, grades five, six, seven, and eight were added. Seventh and eighth grades were later dropped in 1966, and kindergarten was added in 1980. The school was first accredited in 1969 under the principalship of Sister M. Amata. In the summer of 1984, the school building was renovated with new windows, chalkboards, and florescent lights. In 1985, restrooms were remodeled. In 1986, new ceilings, air conditioning and heating units, and a principal’s office were added. A new parish hall was built in 1979, enabling the school to add more classroom space and a place for lunch. In 1993, a new library was built with a generous gift from long-time Dalhart resident Mrs. Julia Gregg. In 2010 and 2011 a major renovation costing approximately four million dollars was completed tranforming and expanding the entire church campus into a seamless, highly functional and beautiful facility.

Presently, the school teaches three and four year old Montessori and grades K through six, with seven lay teachers, six staff and several volunteer workers.  Until May 2018, the school was blessed to have the nuns of the School Sisters of St. Francis teaching in our school.  This staff of dedicated professionals truly gives of themselves to bring out the best in each and every child. St. Anthony’s School continues to offer the unique advantage of integrating religious truths and values with instruction in knowledge and basic skills. Students are provided the opportunity for Mass, daily prayer, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on first Friday’s of the month, and regular reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. St. Anthony’s School is committed to forming faithful young disciples of Christ who will strive to live out Gospel values in every aspect of their lives. Current enrollment is 112 children. Enrollment through the years has been between 50 and 114 students. A total of 10 students from St. Anthony’s have been valedictorians or salutatorians of their graduating classes since 1954 and many more have gone on to maintain high academic accomplishments and receive high honors.

The excellent academic performance by St. Anthony alumni can be attributed to the fine academic preparation, academic work ethics instilled in students, and the Christian principles taught as part of the Catholic curriculum St. Anthony’s School is a unique environment in which students grow intellectually, spiritually, physically, and socially. Love of God and neighbor, respect for each and every individual, the nurturing of Christian values, a sense of belonging to a loving community, as well as an excellent academic curriculum are found within its walls. Students at St. Anthony’s in Dalhart are dedicated to following Christ’s footsteps. A “Crusader”, the School’s mascot, strives to live their life under the sign of the cross in imitation of Christ by following six principles: generous love for all, prayer, selflessness, forgiveness, humble obedience, and total commitment.

The Crusaders have discovered the best possible combination of religious and secular education. The students are able to take advantage of public school programs while retaining the freedom of knowing that through their education at St. Anthony’s they grow up in a priceless environment of Christian values.