Cathedral School, which was founded in 1909, began in a two-room schoolhouse. It moved to its present facility in 1939. It originally served as the elementary, middle, and high school of the Raleigh Diocese. During the 1960’s, because of the construction of other schools, Cathedral became an elementary school exclusively. In 1991, an all-day pre-kindergarten program was added to the school. Today Cathedral School serves 235 students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight.

Since its founding, Cathedral School has played a dynamic role in the North Carolina educational community. It was the first school in North Carolina to educate Native American children. It was also the first Catholic School to integrate when high school students from St. Monica’s School began attending Cathedral School in the 1950’s. Even today, Cathedral School is recognized as the hallmark of ethnic and racial diversity among Raleigh’s private schools.

Cathedral’s unique location has allowed it to grow with downtown Raleigh. Over the years, students have had the opportunity to walk to the to the Capitol and government buildings, Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Natural History, Joel Lane Museum, Court House, Raleigh City Museum, News and Observer, Art Space, Memorial Auditorium, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Mordecai Plantation. Cathedral students have the flexibility to enjoy “traveling exhibits” at these locations as a part of a regular class.

Cathedral School maintains its tradition of academic excellence today. Students have always been and continue to be its focus. Faculty are dedicated to providing a positive learning experience for the children they teach. Cathedral provides students with the academic and social skills they need to be successful people and good citizens.