Fully Accredited Catholic School
Immaculate Conception School (ICS) in Clarksville, TN, is a diocesan parochial school, approved by the Bishop of Nashville operating under the supervision of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Nashville. ICS is accredited by the State of Tennessee and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The pastor is the chief administrator of the parish, and the principal of the school is responsible for the administration of the school and for instructional programming.
ICS received state approval status (Initial Accreditation) through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools April 22, 2004. Immaculate Conception School is also accredited by SACS along with all the other Catholic schools in the diocese of Nashville. This district-wide accreditation is only the 4th in the United States. All schools in the district exceed requirements for SACS accreditation. 
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2011-12 School Calendar
Important Dates:June 3 IC International Festival! August 6 Back-to-School Night! August 8 First day of school! (Half day) August 9 First full day of school! |
A Letter from Our Pastor to You
Dear Parents of Immaculate Conception Catholic School students,
"The best gift that parents can give their children is life in the Church." (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, p.189). Through baptism the child becomes an adopted son or daughter of God, an heir of heaven, is welcomed into the community of the Church, and has access to the fullness of the means of salvation. Of course, when the child receives bapism as an infant, he or she does not have a clue of the priceless grace received. For that reason, in the baptismal ceremony the parents and godparents have solemnly accepted the duty and responsibility Chrisitian life entails.
The father and mother both have the principal task as serving as role models for their children. This comes first of all through the loving and respectful relationship the spouses have for one another. This entails every aspect of living their marrage as a sacrament, reflecting the union of service between Christ and His Church. (See Ephesians 5: 21-33). It also includes simple practices such as praying the grace at meals, having religious objects such as pictures and crucifixes in the home, praying together as a family, reading stories from the Bible to the children, and assisting them to learn the sign of the cross and the basic morning and night prayers; thus providing a religious atmosphere in the home where the children can reflect on the love and care that God has for them.
From this source of goodness and love the child can quickly build on the meaning and importance of celebrating the Eucharist with the larger community which is the parish. When parents explain in a simple way what is happening and the child observes the parents and older siblings receiving the Eucharist Sunday after Sunday, he or she will want to join them. Thus, in an informal way the child is almost already prepared to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. This love and example is then carried forward in every facet of leading the child in growing in Christian living for the glory of God and the salvation of the world. Baptism begins a new life for each of us, a life to be lived and shared. The joy of being a child of God is beyond all telling.
Live it!
Fr. David Gaffny
Pastor, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
"The best gift that parents can give their children is life in the Church." (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, p.189). Through baptism the child becomes an adopted son or daughter of God, an heir of heaven, is welcomed into the community of the Church, and has access to the fullness of the means of salvation. Of course, when the child receives bapism as an infant, he or she does not have a clue of the priceless grace received. For that reason, in the baptismal ceremony the parents and godparents have solemnly accepted the duty and responsibility Chrisitian life entails.
The father and mother both have the principal task as serving as role models for their children. This comes first of all through the loving and respectful relationship the spouses have for one another. This entails every aspect of living their marrage as a sacrament, reflecting the union of service between Christ and His Church. (See Ephesians 5: 21-33). It also includes simple practices such as praying the grace at meals, having religious objects such as pictures and crucifixes in the home, praying together as a family, reading stories from the Bible to the children, and assisting them to learn the sign of the cross and the basic morning and night prayers; thus providing a religious atmosphere in the home where the children can reflect on the love and care that God has for them.
From this source of goodness and love the child can quickly build on the meaning and importance of celebrating the Eucharist with the larger community which is the parish. When parents explain in a simple way what is happening and the child observes the parents and older siblings receiving the Eucharist Sunday after Sunday, he or she will want to join them. Thus, in an informal way the child is almost already prepared to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. This love and example is then carried forward in every facet of leading the child in growing in Christian living for the glory of God and the salvation of the world. Baptism begins a new life for each of us, a life to be lived and shared. The joy of being a child of God is beyond all telling.
Live it!
Fr. David Gaffny
Pastor, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
ICS... Where Faith and Learning Go Hand in Hand
Beliefs
The beliefs of Immaculate Conception School are based on the premise that God has uniquely created each child and that each child has his/her own worth, dignity, integrity, and eternal destiny.
The faculty and staff of Immaculate Conception School endeavor to:
Immaculate Conception School will not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, or national origin in its education programs, activities or enrollment.
The faculty and staff of Immaculate Conception School endeavor to:
- Affirm the role of parents/guardians as primary educators.
- Develop in all students a respect for the dignity and rights of others.
- Assist students in developing an understanding of Christ and His Church.
- Teach as Jesus did, proclaiming the Good News and translating this proclamation into action.
- Present a variety of learning experiences that take into consideration the needs and gifts of all students.
- Instill in students a love for learning which allows students to be challenged beyond what they learn in the classroom.
Immaculate Conception School will not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, or national origin in its education programs, activities or enrollment.
ICS at a Glance...Through the Years
Immaculate Conception School was founded in 1860 by Immaculate Conception Church under the name St. Aloysius School for Boys and Girls. It was located at the corner of 7th and Franklin Streets on what is now the parking lot of the church’s Columbus Hall. In 1876, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth from Bardstown, KY took over operation of the school. In 1880, the school was moved to new property on the opposite corner of 7th and Franklin Streets.
A New Name The parish was originally named St. Mary’s. At the time of the move from the first church, located at 4th and College Streets, the parish changed its name to The Church of the Immaculate Conception. At the same time the name of the school was changed to St. Mary’s School in honor of the first name of the parish. In the fall of 1887, Dominican Sisters from the Congregation of St. Cecilia in Nashville, TN took over operating the school. In 1916, then pastor Fr. Alphonse Nolan, a renowned sculptor and builder, began the construction of a new building which remained in use from 1917 to 1968. In 1968, with a downturn in enrollment and the economy, coupled with the need for a more modern building, the decision was made to close St. Mary’s School.
A New Beginning By 1999, there was growing interest among parish members of Immaculate Conception to revive a Catholic elementary school for the education and faith formation of their children. The Jubilee Year of 2000 marked the return of St. Mary’s Catholic School at the current site on Madison Street. The new St. Mary’s School opened its doors on August 15, 2000 serving grades Kindergarten through Fourth, implementing an additional grade each year until Eighth was established. St. Mary’s School operates in conjunction with St. Mary’s Preschool, which serves our youngest children starting at age one and culminating with a pre-Kindergarten program.
Moving Forward Most recently,in 2011, the name of the school has once again been changed -- to Immaculate Conception School. In order to solidify the school identity with the parish, the parish name was extended to include the Elementary and Middle School, as well as the Preschool.
A New Name The parish was originally named St. Mary’s. At the time of the move from the first church, located at 4th and College Streets, the parish changed its name to The Church of the Immaculate Conception. At the same time the name of the school was changed to St. Mary’s School in honor of the first name of the parish. In the fall of 1887, Dominican Sisters from the Congregation of St. Cecilia in Nashville, TN took over operating the school. In 1916, then pastor Fr. Alphonse Nolan, a renowned sculptor and builder, began the construction of a new building which remained in use from 1917 to 1968. In 1968, with a downturn in enrollment and the economy, coupled with the need for a more modern building, the decision was made to close St. Mary’s School.
A New Beginning By 1999, there was growing interest among parish members of Immaculate Conception to revive a Catholic elementary school for the education and faith formation of their children. The Jubilee Year of 2000 marked the return of St. Mary’s Catholic School at the current site on Madison Street. The new St. Mary’s School opened its doors on August 15, 2000 serving grades Kindergarten through Fourth, implementing an additional grade each year until Eighth was established. St. Mary’s School operates in conjunction with St. Mary’s Preschool, which serves our youngest children starting at age one and culminating with a pre-Kindergarten program.
Moving Forward Most recently,in 2011, the name of the school has once again been changed -- to Immaculate Conception School. In order to solidify the school identity with the parish, the parish name was extended to include the Elementary and Middle School, as well as the Preschool.
