1849
The first Wausau Catholic Mass took place in the home of Walter McIndoe.
History
The History of Newman Catholic Schools
1861
St. Mary Parish was established as the first Catholic Church in Wausau.
1883
St. Mary Parish opened a Catholic school at the cost of $6,000. Five Notre Dame Sisters from Milwaukee came to teach in the new two-story, four classroom structure.
1883-1970
As new parishes started in our community, Catholic schools continued to grow. Schools were managed and funded by the parishes they were affiliated with.
1951
February 6
Bishop John P. Treacy established Newman High School on February 6, 1951. A decision made in response to the need for a Catholic secondary school.
September
The first freshman class was held at St. Mary School. 78 "Pioneers" attended classes within two rooms of the building. As the population grew with each new class, the school expanded into two rooms at St. James School.
1954
September - October
Local parishes held a fund drive, lead by Fr. Lloyd Geissler, aimed at raising the necessary capital to build a standalone high school.
December
Groundbreaking ceremony at 1130 W. Bridge Street in Wausau.
1955
May
The first graduating class walked the stage. Commencement was held at St. Therese School Auditorium since the high school was not complete.
October
Cornerstone on the new building was laid by Bishop Treacy.
1956
May
Though they never attended class in the building, commencement for the Class of 1956 was held in the Newman High School gymnasium (the roof was not yet complete on the gym).
September
The first 400 students walked through the doors of the newly finished building.
1958
Originally known as the Pioneers, the mascot name was changed to the Cardinals in honor of the school's namesake, Cardinal John Henry Newman.
1975
First Unification Occurs: St. Mary and St. James unified to share their resources and offer a high quality Catholic education. St. James School became St. Francis Cabrini Elementary (Kindergarten-Grade 4)
Mid-1980's
Catholic Parishes, under the leadership of their pastors, began community discussions about expanding the unified system approach initially started between St. James & St. Mary Parishes.
1987
Wausau Area Catholic Schools (WACS) unified system was established and supported by eight parishes; St. James, St. Mary, St. Michael, St. Anne, St. Matthew, Holy Name of Jesus, St. Therese, and St. Mark.
Fall
Unified WACS Pre-Kindergarten-Grade 12 Catholic school system classes began with an enrollment of 1,359. All parishes shared their resources to continue the important parish ministry of Catholic school education.
1992
Wausau Area Catholic Schools added a Child Development Center to its educational programs, offering its first state licensed child care center at St. Therese.
2004
Wausau Area Catholic Schools was renamed Newman Catholic Schools (NCS), connecting the schools more closely by sharing the name of Newman throughout the system. The shift in thinking of WACS as a consolidated school system to Newman as a unified school system was realized. Elementary School at Holy Name was closed.
2006
A second Child Development Center was established at Holy Name of Jesus Parish.
2010
Multiple closures/moves occurred:
St. Michael Elementary School closed.
Holy Name Child Development Center moved to St. Michael Parish, and became known as an Early Childhood Center.
St. Matthew Middle School closes with the middle school moved to share the high school building on Bridge Street.