St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School Continues to Strive for Excellence

St. Clare of Montefalco school. Image courtesy of Katie Doelle

Being one hundred years old has some advantages. With so many years, it is safe to say you have seen a lot, learned a lot, and gained a great deal of experience. This can be true for a person, but also for an institution.

St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School is nearing its 100 anniversary, and if its’ bricks could talk, what stories they could tell.

Founded in 1927 as an outgrowth of St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Church, which opened one year earlier, St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School serves kids from Pre-K thru Grade 8 and is located on the Detroit-Grosse Pointe Park border. The school caters to a student population from Detroit, Grosse Pointe, and surrounding suburbs.

If you ask parents, they are happy to tell you there are many things to like about St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School. Some point to the small class sizes, others to the sports program--which features basketball, volleyball, soccer, and track and field--while many point to the religious education happening within its walls.

Melinda Wilson, mother to three sons who have all passed through St. Clare’s doors, knows why she selected the School for her kids.“We have chosen St. Clare school for our children because we wanted them to be in a safe learning environment, and a Catholic structured environment, to grow and excel.”

While her oldest son has gone off to college in pursuit of a medical career, her youngest son, Bryce, 12, is currently a sixth grader at St. Clare. He simply says of his school, “I think they make it fun and friendly.”

Melinda adds, “My kids have benefitted from attending St. Clare school, from the educational structure, to the bonds and connections with Father Andrew, the teachers and all the students.”

The “Father Andrew” she refers to is Fr. Andrew Kowalczyk, the Michaelite Father who is the current pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Church. He also oversees the School. In 2012, after 86 years, the Augustinian religious order heading the church passed the reins of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish and School to the Michaelite order.

Fr. Andrew points out that at St. Clare, “Many activities are offered to support academics, faith, sport and overall growth.”While proud of all that is Catholic about the school, he is also pleased the school “welcomes a multiracial population from various religious backgrounds.”

St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School offers a variety of enrichment activities for its students. Image courtesy of St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School

Though the school has a proud legacy from its past, it is focused on looking to the future, and providing students with an education that will help to form their character, but also prepare them to compete in a modern, technological world. Fr. Andrew offers, “Our graduating classes are well-suited for the best high schools, whether private or public.”

Though St. Clare can look to a great past, it is not content to rest on its laurels. It continues to reinvent itself in its drive for excellence. For the new 2025-2026 school year, St. Clare has a new principal, Meghan Harris, who is set to lead the school toward its next one hundred years.

Though time may pass, and the names of the students change, St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School is determined to remain the same in its commitment to providing quality, faith-based education for all who pass through its doors.