Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

History:

The multi-faceted history of Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School begins with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Arriving by canal boat from Cincinnati in 1849, a group of these sisters purchased property on the corner of Franklin and Ludlow Streets in downtown Dayton, Ohio. In 1886, they opened Notre Dame Academy (1886-1927), a private secondary school for girls in downtown Dayton. The school became known for its commitment to academic excellence and spiritual enrichment and gained a reputation for providing quality, Catholic education. Enrollment grew and made it neccessary to expand facilities. In 1927, the Sisters moved the school to beautiful 14-acre Kuntz estate on Homewood Avenue where they established a large, new Catholic high school for girls, Julienne High School.

Julienne High School (1927-1973) opened its doors in 1927 to approximately 500 young women. Originally called Notre Dame Academy de Julienne, the school later adopted the shorter title of Julienne High School, honoring the founder of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, St. Julie Billiart. The Sisters resolved to continue the tradition of providing quality Catholic education and designed a curriculum that prepared students for all walks of life, giving them not only a religious education, but also the best available training in appropriate secular subjects. The “Julienne girls” were easily identifiable around town by their uniforms of navy blue and white, the school’s colors.

Later in 1927, the Society of Mary purchased the downtown Dayton property occupied by Notre Dame Academy and previously owned by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The Marianists opened the area’s first Catholic high school for boys, Chaminade High School (1927-1973) with an enrollment of 200. It was called Dayton Catholic School for the first year but was renamed in 1928 for Rev. William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Society of Mary. Enrollment grew steadily as the school quickly gained a solid reputation for its rigorous academic program, commitment to discipline and values, and superior athletic program. The “Men of Chaminade” were noticeable for many years in their dress pants, shirt, tie and sweater or jacket.

In 1946, the Sisters of Charity opened St. Joseph Commercial High School (1946-1974) for young women interested in entering the business world. The only school of its type available to young women in the state of Ohio, St. Joe’s established itself as a fine vocational school with excellent teachers who demonstrated concern for each of the students. Enrollment increased gradually, but really thrived with the acceptance of sophomores in 1955 and freshmen in 1966.