History

Located in the Garden City neighborhood in Cranston, Rhode Island, Cranston-­Johnston Catholic Regional School (CJCR) opened in September 1960 as St. Mark's School. Its purpose and mission was to teach and inculcate Catholic beliefs and values to young people. Staffed by the Religious Sisters of Mercy, it continued as a parish school throughout the 1960s. By the latter years of that decade, like so many other Catholic elementary schools in the Northeast, St. Mark's School experienced financial difficulties.

Enrollment was such that the top floor of the school was rented to the Cranston School Department during part of school year 1969 - 70. To many parents and supporters of Catholic education in the parish, the answer to the school's financial problems was to regionalize with other nearby Catholic schools. The upshot of their efforts was the formation of CJCR.

A host of plans to regionalize parish schools in the Cranston and Johnston area were explored in 1970 and 1971. The ambitious planners envisioned at first a sort of Catholic mini-school district with certain buildings within the area housing different grade-level clusters. The upper grades (6, 7, and 8) were to be taught at St. Mark's School; the other grades elsewhere. Parishes with or without their own schools in the Cranston-Johnston region, including a parish in North Scituate, were to feed into this system. And these parishes were to provide their fair share of seed money to initiate the system - it being expected that the new regionalized district would be fiscally self-supporting by means of tuition and school fundraising. This ambitious plan failed to materialize.

The planners then turned their efforts toward a less ambitious plan, one that led to the forming of CJCR in 1971. Initially, six participating parishes were involved St. Mark's, St. Ann's, Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Grace, St. Robert Bellamine, each located in either Cranston or Johnston, and St. Joseph's in North Scituate. A regional school board was formed at this time with representation from each of the feeder parishes. The planners sought and obtained a Christian brother, C. Andrew Connell, F.S.C., as principal. It was believed that with a Christian brother as principal, committed to a two-year term, that the school would get off to a good start financially - enrollment, it was thought, would increase due to the educational reputation of the brothers, and the presence of one of their order as principal would attract a greater percentage of religious teaching personnel, which, in turn, would keep salary expenses down.

In September 1971 CJCR opened with 221 students in grades 1 through 8. Its mission, to perpetuate the faith, to encourage religious vocations, and to feed the Catholic high schools and colleges, was set; the religious aspect of the school was enhanced by the Christian brother as principal and the Religious Sisters of Mercy who formed the bulk of the faculty. Enrollment at the school grew slowly during the 1970s until by school year 1978-79 it had reached 290. During the next six years numbers gradually declined, however, reaching the low figure of 82 in school year 1984 85. Differences among parents concerning the direction in which the school seemed to be headed, along with financial difficulties arising out of the waning commitment from the school's feeder parishes ensued, added to CJCR's woes. St. Mark's Parish complained that it was "carrying" the school financially. Indeed, the high expectations envisioned at the school's inception had not come to fruition.

This baneful situation led to three significant changes at CJCR. First, there was a complete change in the personnel on the school board; second, the principal was granted increased powers to run the school; and, finally, changes were made which encouraged yearly turnovers in leadership in the parents group.

Miss Kathleen M. Adams was appointed principal in school year 1986 87. And with her at the helm, CJCR began its renaissance. Adams understood the power of publicity and made effective use of it to enhance the school's image. Guest speakers, school assemblies, educational programs, and academic achievements of members of the student body were given good coverage in the local newspapers. The perception of a strong dynamic school was conveyed to the larger community. At the same time CJCR was marketed as an "alternative" to the public schools at a time when many parents were disenchanted with the quality of public school education.

Enrollment began to rise; passing the 200 figure mark during the next school year; two years later it had grown to approximately 300. By school year 1992-93 CJCR had reached virtual capacity with an enrollment of 440. The dynamic Adams made many changes which included instituting a full-day kindergarten in 1986 87, developing cluster-grade levels within the school (primary K-2, intermediate 3-5, and junior high 6 - 8), and introducing new offerings such as computer education. A resource teacher was hired in 1986 - 87, a Home School Association (previously Parent/School Alliance) was developed in 1986 - 87, grades 6 8 were departmentalized, and an assistant principal was hired in the spring of 1992. The sports program also expanded at this time. An existing boy’s basketball program developed into the Rhode Island Catholic Athletic League, with CJCR the driving force behind the league's birth. The basketball team received greater recognition within the school, strengthening the feeling of "school community." Cheerleading and girls basketball were also added as activities at this time.

Principal Adams possessed the knack of getting parents involved in school maintenance and physical improvements, along with helping out at school activities. The feeling of a "school family" developed; everyone connected with the school felt they were part of the school community.

Deacon Thomas R. Raspallo was appointed principal in school year 1993 - 94. Maintaining the high enrollment established by Adams, Raspallo expanded and improved the quality of CJCR's offerings. A computer lab, established in 1992 - 93 with twenty IBM stations, was increased to twenty-five stations in 1994 - 95. The position of computer instructor was expanded from a part-time to full-time position.

From 1994 to the present, the computer program began to take shape; more and more software was purchased, CD-ROM was added, and the program was integrated with the curriculum taught in the classroom. Also, the program was extended into grades K - 2 in 1994 - 95. Spanish was introduced into grades 6 -8 in school year 1994 - 95 and since then grades K -5 (once bi-weekly). The science program has been more clearly defined with earth science in grade. 6, life science in grade 7, and physical science in grade 8. There are plans to open a science lab in the room adjacent to the science room, once occupied by the resource program.

Presently, more equipment and furniture has been added to provide more "hands-on" activities within the science room itself. Beginning in 1994 - 95, the music program has been enhanced by the acquisition of new texts and audio materials and equipment. Also, a school chorus in grades 5-8 was begun in 1993-94. From a modest beginning of about twenty students in 1993, the chorus has grown to well over forty participants, who have performed at malls, nursing homes, and at a recent Cranston city council's inauguration, helping to make the school more visible within the community. 
The chorus has also competed at the state level, both as a chorus and as individual soloists. Their success in such a short time has been both remarkable and rewarding; they are a source of great pride to the school.

In 1994 - 95 a new position, "special counselor," was established to assist students dealing with emotional situations both in and out of school. This position requires training, experience, and expertise in specialized therapy counseling; and CJCR was fortunate to obtain the services of a person well qualified. Beginning in school year 1993-94 grades 6-8 moved over toward a middle school concept. Such themes as "Save the Bay," immigration, the Holocaust, and an awareness of New England have been developed with middle-level students.

Presently, CJCR offers a host of extracurricular activities to its students. Some of these activities include yearbook, newspaper, mock trial, student council, dramatics, geography and spelling bees, DARE program (in the 5th grade), and Peer Education and Project Adventure (both, in the 6th grade). Each month a faculty member and a student from each homeroom are selected as teacher and student of the month respectively.

Capital improvements that have enhanced the religious aspect of the school, such as an altar in the gym (for in-school services conducted by the principal, who is a permanent deacon), stations of the cross, and an improved sound system, have been added. Blinds in all classrooms, a school store for the convenience of students, and an enclosed walkway to the convent (which is used by the school for the art and music programs), have enhanced the school's ability to meet students' needs. History Located in the Garden City neighborhood of Cranston, Rhode Island, Cranston-Johnston Catholic Regional School (CJCR) opened in September, 1960 as St. Mark’s School. Its purpose and mission was to teach and inculcate Catholic beliefs and values to young people from Cranston and neighboring communities. Staffed originally by the Religious Sisters of Mercy, the school continued as a parish school throughout the 1960s. A reorganization plan, effected in 1971 resulted in the formation of Cranston-Johnston Catholic Regional School. Its mission to provide quality Catholic education in preparation for its students to enter local Catholic high schools was set. Throughout these years the school succeeded in perpetuating the faith, encouraging religious vocations and addressing the principles of compassion, mercy and Christian service. Over the decades, enrollment continued to rise and reached a desirable level in the 1990s. Focus on each level of instruction (K-2, 3-5, middle school) became a priority for the school. Interest in CJCR continued to grow as a full resource program was added, an assistant principal hired and an expanded sports program for middle school put into place. In addition, greater emphasis was placed on computer instruction, hands-on science activities and new literacy programs. These excellent initiatives continue to this day to solidify the strong educational experiences of CJCR students garnering recognition and high marks in standardized testing, local and regional contests and competitions. The arts were also given more prominence as new programs in the arts and music began to flourish.

In 2008, a pre-kindergarten program was added making CJCR an excellent choice for parents in planning a continuous educational venue for their children. CJCR’s alumni, beginning with the first graduating class of St. Mark’s School, maintains an impressive array of local and state leaders in business, education and government. Visiting their school on Poplar Drive is a continuing source of pride and fond memories for these alumni. Their belief in the mission of the school is borne out by the number of legacy students who have graduated or who are presently enrolled. Beginning in the fall of 2009, CJCR will once again rise to the challenge of meeting the needs of future leaders with the opening of a brand new state of the art facility at Immaculate Conception Parish. The new Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School will continue the fine tradition of Catholic education in the region and state. Located on Garden Hills Drive on the parish grounds, the 47,000sf building will house grades Pre-k through 8. Expanded programs and increased learning opportunities are already being designed for the new school. More information in the new school will be available at www.ICCRSchool.org.