Our History
In June 1960, when Sts. Barnabas and Pius X became overcrowded, Archbishop Floersh appointed Reverend James J. Dalton as pastor of St. Martha Catholic Church. Seventeen acres of land were acquired on Klondike Lane.
Construction of the church and school began and the first Mass was offered on Thanksgiving of 1961, with folding chairs as pews. The men of the parish constructed the rectory, garage and walk. The first bulletin on file reveals that there were 424 families registered.
School for the children was held at St. Pius X in the afternoon from September through November 1961. There were three sisters and three lay teachers on staff. There were only 25 children in each grade, with the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th being taught by one teacher.
Almost immediately, St. Martha experienced very rapid growth. In the fall of 1964 there were 131 children registered for the first grade. The graduating class in 1965 totaled 110 students.
In 1977, St. Martha was the second largest school in the archdiocese.
Kindergarten became part of our school in 1993. In 2002, prekindergarten was also added.
Completion of the Sister William Carrico Hall was a highlight of the year in 2000. This welcome addition let us expand, adding three classrooms and an Art Room. By 2014, the preschool expanded to include a 3 year old classroom and in 2016, the preschool moved into newly renovated classrooms in that wing. Today, our preschool has grown to include two 3 year old classrooms and two traditional Pre-K classrooms.
Our old library and computer lab received an overhaul in 2020 to create The C.O.R.E., which stands for the Central Office of Reimagined Education. The C.O.R.E. contains our STEM lab and library. This space is outfitted with the latest technology and other tools and resources to expand the critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and creativity skills of our students.
The successful fundraising efforts of our amazing PTO allowed us to install a $150,000 playground in 2023. The playground was designed to appeal to students all the way through 8th grade and to encourage physical activity.
In October 2024, St. Martha proudly received the Model PLC @ Work® designation in recognition of our commitment to working collaboratively to support our students and ensuring that ALL students learn at high levels. We are incredibly proud of this recognition and, most importantly, of the collaborative work our faculty and staff do each day to help every student succeed. St. Martha was honored to be the first of only two schools in the Archdiocese of Louisville to receive this prestigious designation. This achievement reflects our shared commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration, and creating a learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
We would love to share more about our wonderful school with you! Schedule a tour and come see how we have grown over the years
Our Mission
At St. Martha Catholic School, our students are encouraged and supported to discover who they want to be, explore the world, and share their gifts and talents through education, servant leadership, and Christian living.
Our Vision
St. Martha Catholic School provides our students with the tools of Catholic leadership to be life-long learners. Students are challenged to use their gifts to shape the world’s future as faith-filled, productive citizens of a global society.
…while making life-long friends and laughing a lot too!
Principal’s Message
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Intelligence plus character – that’s the goal of a true education.” As both a parent and long-time educator, I strongly believe St. Martha Catholic School does a phenomenal job of developing both of these important aspects of a child’s education and formation. The holistic development of our students is central to what we do, as we encourage and support each student to discover, explore, and share their gifts and talents with others.
As principal, I am proud to serve the St. Martha community. St. Martha has been an important part of my family for decades, and I have had the opportunity to wear many hats within our school and parish. My husband, John, is a 1993 graduate of St. Martha, and our four children—Ethan ’19, Noah ’21, Peyton ’25, and Quinn ’25—are graduates as well. Having experienced St. Martha as both a parent and an educator has given me a unique appreciation for the opportunities and experiences our school provides.
St. Martha has a rich tradition of excellence in all that we do. We challenge our students academically, nurture their faith, and provide a wide range of extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities. From the classroom to the athletic fields, our students are encouraged to develop their talents, build confidence, and become well-rounded individuals.
What makes St. Martha special is the balance we strive to achieve. We have high expectations for our students while providing the support they need to meet those expectations. We value academic achievement, but we also understand that character, faith, leadership, and service are essential parts of a complete education.
I invite you to explore our website and learn more about all that St. Martha Catholic School has to offer. Whether you are a current family or considering St. Martha for your child, I hope you will see the many ways our school works to prepare students for success in the classroom and, more importantly, for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Barnett, Ed.S.
Principal, St. Martha Catholic School
