Empowering Minds, Nurturing Faith, Building Futures
Our Mission
Ascension Catholic School, founded by the Sisters of Mercy and rooted in the charism of compassion, is a community of Companions on the Journey. We strive to foster the growth of each unique child by living the gospel values, achieving academic excellence, and serving our global family.
About Us
Ascension Catholic School serves PK3 through 8th grade, providing a family-centered, value-oriented education aligned with the church's mission. We emphasize academic excellence, modern educational philosophies, and technologies. Our Christ-centered environment promotes learning, guidance, and discovery. We focus on a structured curriculum that encourages critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and lifelong learning.
Mrs. Claudia Stokes became our principal in March 2021, bringing extensive experience from St. Joseph Catholic School and other educational roles. She recently completed her doctorate in educational leadership at Florida Southern College.
Our curriculum covers religion, math, language arts, science, social studies, Spanish, art, computers, music, and physical education. We offer the Soarin’ enrichment program and a Title I funded support program. Extracurricular activities include academic, non-academic, and sports options.
Our annual reports reflect our commitment to transparency by showcasing our stewardship efforts and financial decisions.
Take A Virtual Tour
Take a virtual tour of our wonderful school to get a sneak peek of what ACS has to offer. However, to fully experience the welcoming atmosphere and vibrant community of our school, we invite you to schedule a personalized tour. Witness firsthand the exceptional educational environment and engaging opportunities we provide for our students. Booking a personalized tour will allow you to immerse yourself in the unique culture and values that define Ascencion Catholic School. Schedule your visit today and discover the difference a personalized tour can make in choosing the right school for your child.
Our Beliefs
Each student is a unique child of God
A healthy learning environment is everyone’s responsibility
Catholic education is an integral part of the church’s mission to proclaim the gospel message of Jesus, to build faith communities, to celebrate through worship and to serve others without distinction
Students learn in a variety of ways
Each student is recognized and valued as a unique child of God in his/her social, emotional, and academic needs.
Our History
Ascension Catholic School welcomed its first students on September 1, 1961. Sister Monica Ryan, Sister Assumpta Finn, and Sister Immaculata Knox arrived from Ireland just three days prior to opening the six classes (K-5) to the 334 students. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade were added in three subsequent years.
Sister Monica was the school’s first principal. Father Martin Power was Ascension Catholic Church’s pastor at the time.
The five portable classrooms (currently the Activities Building) were added in 1963 to accommodate increasing enrollment.
In August, 1964, Sister Pius Fahy became Ascension’s principal. The school’s inaugural 8th grade graduation was held in 1965.
Sister Assumpta replaced Sister Pius as principal in 1969. In 1971, Sister Joseph Barden became principal and continued in that capacity until her retirement in the spring of 2000. In 2015, After 31 years of service to the school, Ms. Anita Brady assumed the role of principal in 2015.
In February, 1973, Ascension received its initial accreditation from the Florida Catholic Conference.
A new wing was added in 1983 to allow expanded office space for the principal, Religious Education Director, secretary, bookkeeper, the library, and science laboratory. A Pre-Kindergarten program for four year olds was implemented during this year as well.
Ascension Catholic School was recognized by the United States Department of Education as a National School of Excellence in 1986. The School’s program was commended for its overall school quality in respect to curriculum, practices, and policies.
In 1993-94, Ascension Catholic School began the year with a new 16 classroom facility, dedicated by Most Reverend Norbert M. Dorsey, the Bishop of Orlando. Four hundred twenty-six students were enrolled with over 600 Religious Education students. The original school building which was renovated to house 5th-8th grades and special instruction rooms (computer lab, art, and music) in 1994-95 is now a parish center housing religious education offices and meeting rooms.
In December 1997, phase II of the building expansion was completed. The school facilities now house 23 classrooms, science and computer labs, art and music rooms, a media center, administration offices, a clinic and a cafetorium.
Accreditation Information
Ascension Catholic School is accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference in Tallahassee. Initial accreditation was granted in 1971 and the school has gained continuing accreditation every seven years since, the most recent being in 2013. Beginning in the spring of 2012, Ascension faculty and staff began the process of writing a school improvement plan which is the first step in the updated Florida Catholic Conference Accreditation. A team of educators from the FCC visited in the fall of 2013 and awarded Ascension School full accreditation.
The accreditation process for Catholic schools calls for a close examination of programs and methods, and encourages schools to strive for greater quality in all areas. It is designed to help provide a quality education based on a Christian value system, and assist schools in their unique purpose of learning and living the message of Jesus Christ according to the Catholic tradition.
All Catholic schools in the state of Florida must meet the principles and standards of the program. These serve as the basis for the program, which strives to ensure quality, justifying the faith that parents have placed in them (F.C.C. brochure). Each year the school submits an Annual Report for Continued Accreditation, which addresses all the standards of the program. Each school’s status is reviewed annually.
Ethics in Education and Protection of Children
Ascesnsion School considers the safety of our children to be of utmost concern. As an entity within the Diocese of Orlando, we follow all guidelines with respect to Safe Environment Training as required by the United States Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). All school personnel (teachers, administrators, staff) complete Safe Environment Training in addition to a Criminal Background/Fingerprint clearance.
In addition, as required by Florida Statutes Section 1006.061(1) and (2), we post notices that (1) all employees and agents of this school have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment or neglect and (2) the policies and procedures for reporting misconduct of instructional personnel, administrators and other staff.
Finally, all school personnel are required to be trained on the Ethics in Education Policies and Procedures Standards, including:
their affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment or neglect
their affirmative duty and legal responsibility to report abuse or professional misconduct affecting the health, safety, and welfare of a student, and
their immunity from civil liability when reporting such abuse in good faith.
A signed acknowledgment of such training is included in each personnel file.
Discover the exceptional educational opportunities we offer.
Contact us today to schedule a visit and experience firsthand our nurturing environment, strong academic program, and vibrant community. Reach out now to begin your journey with Ascencion Catholic School!