History of The Cathedral School
In 2003, Saint John’s Cathedral purchased an unoccupied building and its contents at 330 North Market Street, on the southeast corner of Duval and Market Streets. A planning committee was formed to study the feasibility of an early learning center in this location. After realizing the potential of this venture, the committee began planning the start up and in February 2004 hired their consultant, Gretchen Titshaw, as Headmistress. Marlo Hunt was also hired as the administrator.
From March through July 2004, all efforts were directed at restoration and renovation as volunteers and a part-time assistant salvaged, cleaned, and organized donations and any remaining items. A complete renovation of the exterior and interior was completed to include updated plumbing and electrical systems; freshly painted surfaces; replaced toilets, sinks, and counters; refurbished cabinetry; and floors refinished. Office, lobby, cafeteria and common room furnishings were purchased, as well as carpets for the entire building.
While the renovations were occurring, Gretchen and Marlo provided tours and enrolled students, researched and purchased curriculum and ordered classroom supplies. Licensing was secured, applications were filed with national organizations for memberships, staff was hired and training was coordinated.
On September 8, 2004, the school held its initial Open House and school began the following day with eleven staff members and eighteen students. By January 2005, thirty-four students were enrolled. Enrollment had increased to fifty-two students by May 2005. The school remained at full operation throughout the summer of 2005 before closing on August 26 for a week of staff training, classroom changes, further renovations, and preplanning.
The school’s second year began on September 6, 2005, with seventy-one students, twenty staff members, and the typical start-up milestones. Even more remarkably, in October 2005, Dean Edward Harrison was successful in securing a grant for Saint Johns Cathedral which the vestry subsequently designated to satisfy the mortgage on the school building. After only one and one-half years, astonishingly exceeding the expected goal of a break-even point at three years, The Cathedral School was self-supporting, no longer relying on the well-utilized line of credit from Saint John’s Cathedral.
In June 2007, the Board unanimously voted in favor of hiring Kristine Rodman as the Head of School. Marlo Hunt was re-designated as the Director. Both still serve in those capacities.
Since April of 2012, The Cathedral School has received 35 consecutive perfect inspections by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Over the last 20 years, TCS has continuously grown in enrollment with no marketing other than word of mouth from past and current families.
The Cathedral School has a Board of Trustees and is a tax-exempt, 501(C)(3) organization.
Admissions Inquiries
Learn more about our school, tuition requirements and wait list for enrollment.
Tuition
Tuition for the weeks of February 17th and 24th, 2025, is due on Wednesday, February 12th. Tuition will be processed through the Brightwheel app.
The next quarterly supply fee of $60 will be due on Wednesday, March 12.