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.

On August 20, 2007, The Cathedral School began year four with an enrollment of 105 students, and a full-time staff of twenty, and several part-time employees. That year’s expansion included the addition of a second Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) class.

Our fifth year began on August 18, 2008, with 91 students and a full-time staff of 21 and several part-time employees.

On August 17, 2009, The Cathedral School began year six with 95 students and a full-time staff of 19 and several part-time employees.

On August 23, 2010, TCS began year seven with 94 students, a full-time staff of 20, and five part-time employees.

On August 22, 2011, The Cathedral School began year eight with 94 students, a full-time staff of 21, and four part-time employees.