St. Xavier's Here Now 63 Years Old

One of the enduring institutions of Denison is St. Xavier Academy, opened in 1876 by the SIsters of St. Mary of Namur, Belgium, who arrived in April of that year, founded a school in the 100 block of East Gandy street, and began instruction the first Tuesday in September.
The Sisters of St. Mary are a world-wide Catholic group, the Mother General of which lived in Namur.  Their mission is the education of youth.
Hundreds prominent in the social and business life have been graduated from St. Xavier, a fully accredited school with the Catholic University of America, the University of Texas, the University of Oklahoma, and other standard colleges.
The institution is a boarding school for girls and accepts boys for the day classes, having graduated 5 boys from the high school this last term.  The 150 to 175 pupils registered annually range from beginners through the high school age.  Difference of religion is no obstacle to attendance at the school, although students attend morning and night prayers and Sunday morning services.
Twelve sisters comprise the faculty and staff.  The Sister Superior for the coming 3-year term will be announced about August 15.  Sister Superior Margaret Mary having served 2 terms, probably will be assigned elsewhere.  Mother Ferdinand, Mother Superior for this Province, visited during July at Namur.  The mother house, or novitiate for t his province, is Our Lady of Victory in Ft. Worth.
The academy is located on the north side of Sears Street between Rusk and Burnett avenues..  The large brick structure is steam heated.  The grounds are landscaped and beautified.  Playgrounds are also provided.  The main structure was built in 1900.
Sixteen credits is the minimum reequirement for graduation.  Commercial subjects are taught and special training is given in vocal and instrumental music, with recitals from time to time.  Expression and dramatic art, and physical training also are offered.