| Planning for the addition of St. Dennis School began under the direction of Father Joseph C. Niglis. At that time the Parish, which was then only 3 years old, consisted of over 600 families with 1,100 members under the age of 16. |
| In 1959 a building committee was formed, financing was secured, and a design was approved. This original design consisted of "8 classrooms, an auditorium, cafeteria, kitchen, gymnasium, school library and office." Construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony on August 9, 1959. The first shovel of dirt was turned by Father Niglis and the property donor Miss Esther Dempsey. Construction was completed in June, 1960. |
| Bishop William P. O'Connor dedicated St. Dennis School on September 4, 1960, and the school opened on September 7th, 1960. This first year there were 172 first and second graders, with the intention of adding new grades each year. Sister Angela Merici Donovan, O.P., principal, and Sister Johanna (Sheila) Griffin, O.P. and 2 lay teachers staffed the classrooms that first year. |
| "In three short years St. Dennis School had outgrown its facilities. On June 1, 1963 a one-story addition was begun. It was completed in March 1964." At this time the school enrollment was a total of 553 students in grades one through six, and eventually hit an enrollment high of 564 students in 1966-67. |
| The initial goal for the school was "to teach the whole person," thereby meeting their spiritual, academic, and emotional needs. This remains the goal to this day, and because of this focus St. Dennis School shows it's high academic standards as the school's students go on to appear on the honor rolls of Edgewood, LaFollette, and other area high schools. |
| Today, St. Dennis School continues to mould the future of it's students through the efforts of award-winning teachers, top notch staff, Home & School organization, parents, parishioners and the Madison community. Every year brings advances in technology and improvements in the learning environment. |
| We welcome your interest in our school! |
| (History summarized from the St. Dennis 40th anniversary book.) |
