On
September 14, 1936 Saint Martin de Porres Catholic School opened
with three Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa and 103 students. Parents
of Saint Martin de Porres Catholic School students were seeking
a school where their children would be treated with dignity and
respect while receiving a quality education.
For
over 70 years Saint Martin de Porres Catholic School has been a
fixture in the Waverly Community, providing a quality education
to both African Americans and whites in the Columbia area. Some
of Columbia's most influential African Americans attended Saint
Martin de Porres Catholic School: doctors, lawyers, professors,
dentists, politicians, teachers, engineers, community developers,
chairpersons, dancers, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Today
Saint Martin de Porres Catholic School continues in its tradition
of excellence with smaller teacher to student ratio classes, extra
curriculum activities, and an emphasis on the student's spiritual
growth. Currently the student to teacher ratio is 10:1 in grades
pre-3 and pre-4 and 15:1 in grades one through five. Each student
is given personalized attention.
Students
at Saint Martin de Porres can sign up for extra curricular activities
such as, Girl Scouts, karate, strings, and gymnastics. Students
in the third, fourth and fifth grades can audition for the Saint
Martin de Porres Catholic School Gospel Choir, the only Catholic
school gospel choir in the state. The choir has performed throughout
the state and before Rev. Bishop Baker.
Although
only a small percentage of students are Catholic, all students attend
weekly Mass and learn about the Catholic faith in religion classes.
Students participate in the Mass proceeding by reading scripture,
reading the responsorial psalm, writing and reading the mass intentions,
and bring Father the eucharistic gifts. Father Paul presides over
the Mass taking daily readings and translating it to kid friendly
interpretation.
As
with a shining star, Saint Martin de Porress Catholic School continues
to be a beacon of light for our children and our community.
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