Our History

St. Philomena School opened in the fall of 1963 under the leadership of four Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur—Sister Francis Julie, Sister Raymond Francis, Sister Mary Christopher, and Sister Joseph—alongside one lay teacher, Mildred Downey. Guided by the charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, “to make known God’s goodness,” the school embraced their special commitment to the Christian education of the poor, especially young girls. St. Philomena initially opened with students in grades one through five, and the school was formally dedicated on April 19, 1964.

As enrollment grew, St. Philomena expanded to include grades six through eight in 1969. In 1973, during a period of economic challenges affecting both the region and the nation, the sisters were recalled to their Mother House in Belmont. Determined to preserve Catholic education in Des Moines, parish leaders and school families joined together to ensure the school’s future. Under the leadership of the pastor, a fully lay faculty was established, and a School Commission was formed to provide guidance and support.

Over the following decades, St. Philomena Catholic School continued to evolve to meet the needs of families. A kindergarten program was added in 1986, providing a strong foundation for younger learners. In 1996, the school introduced Kids’ Club, an extended-day program designed to support working families. Continuing its commitment to early childhood education, St. Philomena opened a pre-kindergarten program in September 2012.

Today, St. Philomena Catholic School remains firmly rooted in its tradition of faith, academic excellence, and service. Guided by a dedicated and talented lay faculty, the school continues to nurture the minds, hearts, and spirits of every student while carrying forward the mission begun more than sixty years ago by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.