61 Summer Street, Taunton, MA  02780          (508) 822-0491

History of Taunton Catholic Middle School

Taunton Catholic Middle School first opened its doors in September, 1971.  That autumn, more than five hundred students were enrolled in grades six through eight, coming primarily from the parochial elementary schools, Immaculate Conception, St. Jacques, St. Anthony, St. Mary, St. Joseph, Sacred Heart, and Our Lady of Lourdes, in Taunton.  In the years that followed, all but two of these elementary schools have closed and the city's parochial education system has undergone changes.  Monsignor Coyle High School, for boys, merged with Bishop Cassidy High School, for girls, becoming Coyle and Cassidy High School, quartered in the former Bishop Cassidy High School building, thus making space for the first diocesan middle school, Taunton Catholic Middle School. The first fifth grade class was enrolled in 1987.

Over the course of its existence, principals have guided the school.  Sister Mary Bridget, SUSC was the first, from 1971 to 1978, followed by Sister Patricia Mulryan, SUSC, from 1978 to 1989,  Mrs. Kathleen Simpson, from 1989 - 2002, Mr. Robert Jeffrey from 2002 - 2005 and most recently, the present principal, Ms. Margaret Menear.   Each has accomplished success with a unique style.   Originally, Holy Union Sisters, and teachers from the Sisters of Mercy and the Dominicans comprised the majority of the faculty with a few lay teachers.  Presently, the faculty is comprised of all lay people.  Father Raymond Monty was the first chaplain, Followed by Father William Babbitt, for one year.  Father Arnold Medeiros was chaplain for fifteen years. Several have served since. 

The Home and School Association and the Student Council were both formed in 1973. The VIPS (Volunteers in Parochial Schools) and The School Advisory Council were formed in 1995 and replaced the Home and School Association.  Parents and students, together with faculty representatives, give countless volunteer hours, planning and executing a variety of events each year.  Science Fairs, Welcome-A-Child, Walk-A-Thons and more have been established as traditional events each year.  Special one-time events such as the city wide Liberty and Union Flag Celebration and the Catholic Schools Millennium Liturgy demonstrate the level of commitment and dedication of all the members of the T.C.M.S. community.