Celebrating 25 Years of Saint Catherine Academy

In 1999 Saint Catherine Academy opened with just five students in a modest location on the grounds of the Catholic Center in Bridgeport. The story began on January 4, 1999, when Terry McClinch, the father of 12-year-old Catherine, a child with Down Syndrome, called Sister Eleace and offered his support in creating a diocesan special education school. Only 75 days later, Bishop Egan approved the plan and authorized the use of a former retreat house as the school’s first home which opened in the fall of 1999. As enrollment grew, so did the Academy’s need for expanded and more accommodating space.

This led to the move to our current location in 2007. In the new facilities, the Academy flourished with the inclusion of essential facilities such as a life skills apartment and therapy room. These enhancements were crucial in meeting the ever-changing needs of our students.

In 2015, Saint Catherine opened the Adult Day Program and expanded to a comprehensive center serving young adults and students. “Our evolution into incorporating an Adult Program has been a natural and necessary progression. It allowed us to offer continued support to individuals who aged out of the Academy or other traditional school settings,” said Laura Grozier, Executive Director.

Designed before the inception of the Adult Program, Saint Catherine Center quickly started to outgrow the original building. In 2023, the Center embarked on another expansion to double the square footage of the facilities. This addition allowed possibilities to reimagine programming adding a fully equipped, commercial-grade kitchen and an indoor hydroponic garden that broadened the scope of practical skills acquisition.

The growth and changes we have experienced are profound and reflect our community’s support. We have expanded our programs and facilities, increased our enrollment, and continuously adapted to the ever-changing needs of those we serve. However, one constant has remained the same: our unwavering mission and dedication to giving the gift of purpose to young people with disabilities. This commitment has been the foundation of our success and the driving force behind each decision over the past quarter century.