Isn’t it curious how a building can hold so many memories? We are standing before the former site of Stella Maris High School. This all-girls, private, Roman Catholic high school once stood proudly here on the Rockaway Peninsula. Stella Maris overlooked the vast Atlantic Ocean.
Founded in 1943 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Stella Maris was more than just a school. It was a community. For 66 years, it educated young women in the Roman Catholic tradition. The Sisters of St. Joseph provided unwavering support to the school. They encouraged new programs and fundraising efforts.
Stella Maris High School was known for its strong academics. It provided a caring atmosphere for its students. The school had approximately 500 students. The student-to-teacher ratio was impressively low at 12:1. Tuition was around $7,100 per year. The school colors were blue and gold. “A small school where big things happen” was its slogan.
“Blue and Gold” was the highlight of the Stella Maris year. Freshmen and seniors competed against sophomores and juniors. This school spirit event was a beloved tradition. Students also expressed themselves through “Sandprints” the school’s literary magazine. “The Beacon” was the school newspaper.
Stella Maris was affiliated with Adelphi University and St. John’s University. This allowed students to earn college credits. A junior high program, Maura Clarke Junior High School, was once part of Stella Maris. It closed in 2008.
Sadly, Stella Maris faced declining enrollment. In October 2009, the announcement came. The school would close in June 2010. The news was met with shock and sadness. Students and parents were heartbroken.
Low enrollment made it unsustainable. The principal Miss Geri Martinez called the closing “heartbreaking”. She believed it was a great loss to education. Alumnae generously supported the school over the years. Their financial aid helped with scholarships and repairs.
Today, the Stella Maris High School building has a new chapter. After the closing of Stella Maris High School the Sisters of St. Joseph rented the building to the Peninsula Preparatory Academy charter school. After that Martin De Porres High School, a private special education school, moved into the building. Although Stella Maris is physically gone its legacy lives on. The memories and the impact it had on its students remain. It is a reminder of the importance of community and the lasting power of education.