St. Mary Cathedral School began in 1894. It all started when Rev. Casimir Skory came to the parish as pastor in 1892. He felt the need for a Catholic education. Sooner than later, his wish came true with the help of Rev. Alexander Lipinski. The school opened in 1894 with fifty students enrolled. The total cost of the building then was only $1,875, and there was no tuition fee.
The young school, still gaining strength, was almost shut down in the mid-1920s. With the anti-Catholicism influence of the Ku Klux Klan, an amendment was proposed to the state constitution that would end the existence of all private and parochial schools. When the then pastor, Monsignor Simon Ponganis returned from leave and found out what may possibly happen to the school, he was dismayed. So with the extreme effort of Ponganis and other Michigan citizens, the amendment was defeated.
As the school continued to progress, eventually there came a senior high school. The first class was in 1925 with the first senior graduation taking place on June 12, 1929. In this class was Louis Latuszek, Stanley Amborski, Raymond Mackowiak, William Nowak, Regina Grusczcynski, and Sophia Kowaleski.
The school continuously gained popularity and with the famous "baby boom" of the mid-1900's, the number of students enrolled rose greatly. Between 1945 and 1960, the enrollment of students amazingly increased by 110%. With the quick thinking of then pastor Msgr. Francis Kaminski, eight new classrooms and a gymnasium were added to form a new high school in 1954. There had been a girls' basketball team since 1930, and a boys' basketball team since 1927; so this gymnasium made many students very happy.
From then on the school was very successful; that is until the tragic fire of 1960. The fire started around 10:50 a.m. on November 30, 1960. Thanks to the observation of Rev. Eugene Golas the school was quickly evacuated and all 365 children were brought to safety. "We kept up the rosary until all the kids got out," stated one of the teachers, Sr. Mary Edward. Luckily, only the elementary building burned down and nobody was injured. For the remainder of the school-year and the entire up-coming school-year the children were taught in the gymnasium and in extra classrooms under the bleachers. Class space was also offered by the First Congregational Church and a local furniture salesman had managed to gather up enough desks to replace the ones lost in the fire. Local schools, along with other Catholic schools in the diocese offered books, supplies and equipment. The new school building was finally opened in September of 1962 and still stands today.
Aided by the community, the school was back on its feet. But with the increase of lay teachers, a tuition plan was sadly introduced. Aside the tuition plan, the enrollment of students again rose reaching 800 students in 1974; which is more than the current enrollment.
Influenced by the previous success stories of the school, Sr. Lois Wozniak decided to go ahead and take another risk and add a kindergarten to the school system. With the curriculum developed by Linda Diekman, it was a hit. After the addition of the kindergarten, a computer and reading lab was installed. In 1986, the elementary school received national recognition under the principalship of Marlene Peplinski. Peplinski, along with then superintendent and pastor Rev. James Suhocki, traveled to Washington D.C. and met President Ronald Regan and Secretary of Education, William Bennet. When asked about winning the National Exemplary Award and going to Washington D.C., Peplinski said, "It was a very big honor."
From then on, the school maintained an excellent reputation which it still holds today. St. Mary Cathedral School celebrated it's centennial anniversary in 1994. Previous superintendent Rev. Francis Murphy was asked how a school survives 100 years. His response was simply "It's a walk in faith... We operate totally and fully on the good will and sacrifice...of the parish." When Rev. James Suhocki was asked about the school and it's 100th anniversary, he said "My wish is that the 100 years of tradition will be a building block for another 100 years. I think it's a great school. Many people of the community would agree with this.
Reference: Centennial Cathedral School Supplement Edition (1994)