MISSION STATEMENT
Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School community exists to provide educational excellence through a Christ-centered, holistic program in a safe and secure environment for Pre-K through 8th grade students from the parish and the surrounding communities. Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School is open to all families who embrace our mission and philosophy of education.
PHILOSOPHY
The school community of Our Mother of Mercy sees that the overall purpose of education is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values for interacting with an everchanging world. The school community also believes that it should provide a learning environment that will enable students to develop to their greatest potential.Our focus is on building foundations for success – in literacy, mathematics, music, physical education, technology and social development.
It is strongly held by all staff members that all children can learn, and, therefore, should be taught in different ways. All children need real life opportunities for developmentally appropriate learning activities for their growth in the spiritual, physical, intellectual, aesthetic and emotional realms.
HISTORY
The history of Our Mother of Mercy School shows the sacrifice on the part of many dedicated people who gave their time, talents and treasure in order that their dream for the community of this area might become a reality.
In January 1929, Bishop Patrick J. Lynch asked the Josephite Fathers, from Baltimore, to establish a parish for the African-American community of southeast Fort Worth. In 1930, Father Narcissus Denis SSJ, the first pastor, invited the Sisters of the Holy Ghost and Mary Immaculate from San Antonio to establish a school in connection with the parish. Property for a school was purchased by His Excellency the Most Rt. Rev. Joseph Patrick Lynch D. D., on April 30, 1930. The (SHSP) Sisters arrived on Aug. 29th, 1930 and the school, originally named Our Lady of Mercy School, began in a remodeled private dwelling with 28 children on the roll in September of 1930.
The parish began building a new structure at the intersection of Missouri and Verbena, which opened on Sept. 4th, 1931 with an enrollment of 135 children.
GROWTH.
Increased enrollment necessitated expansion to a larger building. The former Holy Name School at the intersection of New York and East Terrell was available; however; after the move to the new location, the building was found to be structurally unsafe. The school transferred back to Missouri Avenue until a new building was completed in 1958. As the school's enrollment grew, several additions were added: portable classroom buildings in 1965, 1982; the Holy Spirit Building (which housed the administration office, the clinic and the science room) in 1974; Title I lab in 1993 and the Early Childhood Annex (on New York Street) in 1996.
Over the years, many OMM graduates have contributed to the community and to the life of the city. Several hold important leadership positions both in the city and throughout the country. Many current students are second and third generation pupils. High scholastic standards were established early and have been retained to the present time.
For more than three-quarters of a century, the Our Mother of Mercy School has been blessed with many wonderful experiences. In March 2006, the Diocese of Fort Worth, OMM Parish Council, OMM School Advisory Council decided to move forward with plans for a new school building on the current site. This decision necessitated a move to a temporary location so that work can proceed. St. Mary of the Assumption graciously opened the doors of their building, that once housed their school, to OMM.
On March 1, 2008, OMM proudly moved into its new 17,000 square ft. facility which includes building-wide internet access, a 23 station computer lab; a science labratory; a state of the art Library Media center and cafeteria; an art room; and a music center. The new building was dedicated by Bishop Kevin W. Vann on May 21, 2008.
| 
