In June 2005, Mount St. Joseph Academy nearly closed. Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated community the school remained open. The countless people who worked tirelessly to save MSJA will always have a special place in the hearts of the staff, students, alumni and community supporters of Mount St. Joseph Academy.
As Mount St. Joseph Academy moves forward to greater
heights, we remember our history knowing there
is far more ahead of us than behind us.
Our Past
Mount Saint Joseph Academy was founded in 1891 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Mount formerly consisted of an elementary school, ”The Little Mount“ and a high school. The high school closed in the mid-1980’s. ”The Little Mount“ continued operations. In the mid 1990’s the Mount was ranked as one of the top private schools in Buffalo.
Historically, the governing body of the Mount was the Institute of the Sisters of St. Joseph. This group of six Sisters had complete control over the school. In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s the school accumulated significant debt as a result of many factors. In June of 2005, in a surprise announcement, the Sisters announced their intention to close the Mount after retiring the existing debt. Despite an increasing enrollment, the members of the Institute voted to close Mount St. Joseph Academy.
The Institute’s decision was met with immediate action by a group of tenacious parents. The Committee to Save M.S.J.A. was formed. Because the 2005-06 school year was just three months away, parents were advised to enroll their children in new schools as a backup plan, while the Committee began its work.
An immediate fund raising effort was undertaken. Within two weeks pledges of over $125,000.00 were made. The first logistical hurdle was to obtain an educational license from New York State. After tireless efforts to complete the necessary paperwork the New York Board of Regents approved the incorporation of the new school in late July 2005.
The New Mount St. Joseph Academy
The parents, alumni and community supporters were dedicated to continuing the success of Mount St. Joseph Academy.
The Founders of the new school were committed to running the Mount in a financially sound manner. As a result, the first order of business was fundraising. In early August 2005, a single day fund drive netted commitments of $100,000.00 assuring a balanced budget for the 2005-06 school year. This also created a window of time to build enrollment. Despite long odds, the new Mount St. Joseph Academy achieved its enrollment goals and opened its doors in September of 2005.
In 2007 Mount St. Joseph Academy entered into a contract to purchase the Central Presbyterian Church at 15 Jewett Parkway at Main Street. The successful acquisition of this campus marks a major milestone in the history of MSJA.
Understanding our rich and unique history helps guide our journey into the future.
