Founding
In 1972, the only Catholic high school in Austin closed. Within ten years, ours was the only US major city without a Catholic high school. Led by Dr. Leonard Dolce, a small group of parents and Catholic lay leaders commissioned a study that revealed the Austin community would enthusiastically support such a school. In 1984, St. Michael's Catholic Academy opened its doors. It was one of the first Catholic schools in the nation to be established entirely by lay people. The land and the school buildings are not owned by the diocese – a striking departure from typical Catholic schools. Although the Diocese of Austin has been extremely supportive, lay people have assumed full responsibility for St. Michael's. Since the school’s beginning, trustees, parents, faculty and staff have labored to realize its founding vision: to be a first-class Catholic secondary school that nourishes the minds, bodies and spirits of its students, preparing them for a challenging college education and a Christian adult life.