The Ursuline Sisters opened Angela Merici High School, off Dixie Highway in Louisville, on September 14, 1959. The school was named after the foundress of the Ursuline Sisters, Saint Angela Merici, who lived in Northern Italy in the 15th century. The first year, 128 young women were enrolled in levels nine and ten. (A year was added for the next two sessions to bring the school to levels nine through 12.)

The enrollment grew until the late 1970s. Projections of enrollment decreases and rising costs led to the merger of Angela Merici High School and neighboring Bishop David High School for young men, an institution sponsored by the Archdiocese of Louisville. The new coeducational high school, named Holy Cross High School, opened on the site of the former Bishop David High School in September 1984. At the time of the merger, the enrollment of Bishop David High School was 505 and that of Angela Merici 468.

 

Historic Timeline

1958 – Ground breaking on October 21st, Feast of St. Ursula, for catholic high school in southwest Jefferson County to educate young women in grades 9 -12. School named after Foundress of the Ursuline Sisters, Saint Angela Merici

1959 – Cornerstone laid on June 1st. Classes began in September with 135 students – 90 freshman, 45 sophomores – 8 staff members (7 sisters and 1 lay teacher). Sr. Marjorie Burge, first principal

1960 – School is dedicated and statue of Saint Angela is erected on April 7

1961-1962 – First edition of the yearbook, “The Laurel,” published. First commencement exercises held in auditorium

1963-1964 – Enrollment peaked at 653 young women

1965 – Tuition was $180

1970 – Modular Schedule introduced

1980 – Cooperative study began with Louisville Archdiocesan Task Force to discuss merging Angela Merici and Bishop David High Schools

1981 – School had been in existence for 22 years with a total of 2,394 graduates. The volleyball team went to the state tournament

1983 – Basketball team broke records. Tuition was $1,240.

1984 – School closed at end of school year with 102 graduates. Angela Merici merged with Bishop David High School for young men in September, creating a new co-educational high school named Holy Cross High School

 

Principals

Sr. Marjorie Burge – 1959-1962
Sr. Carmel Price – 1962-1968
Sr. Eileen Carney – 1968-1971
Sr. Louise Marie Willenbrink – 1971-1978
Sr. Paula Kleine-Kracht – 1978-1984