History

History of St. Andrews Parish High School

"The roots of St. Andrew’s Parish High School are deep in the history of Charleston, especially the West Ashley area. The name of the school was taken from the St. Andrew’s Parish Episcopal Church, which was founded in 1706." (3)

Some year discrepancies exist for the time frame of the first schools. "In 1897, St. Andrew’s School was established in an old church on the plantation of Mr. Edward Legare, called Charlestown. The first pupils of the school were his children, grandchildren, and neighborhood children. One teacher taught all grades. A second school was started in 1899, for children living on Savannah Highway that could not get to school." (1)

Another source states the following about this time period. "The first public school West of the Ashley came into being in 1889, using an old church building for grades 1-8. It was located on the plantation of Edward T. Legare. A second school was established in 1898." (3) However, both accounts state that the two school merged in 1909. "The two schools consolidated in 1909, and located on Savannah Highway." (1) The merged school "moved to a location on Savannah Highway, an area occupied by the VFW Hut." (3)

"In 1918 the schools were moved to the present location of St. Andrew's High School. It was known as the “Little Brown School House.” (1) This decision was made to move the school to the geographic center of the school district on Wappoo Road. (21) In 1919, due to increased number of students the building was enlarged. In 1928, Mrs. John Postel, principal of the school, formed a Parent Teacher Association, which formed a building committee for a new school. (21) A new brick school was erected during the 1929-30 school year, on the same site with the iconic structure with the "four white columns and 'Senior Steps'...constructed on the Wappoo Road Site for a reported cost of $75,000. This building housed eight classrooms, an auditorium, and auxiliary rooms" (21). The overcrowded conditions and difficulty in obtaining transportation to the high schools in peninsular Charleston were factors in establishing St. Andrew’s Parish High School in 1940." (1)

"In 1940, a wing for older students was added to the elementary school; and so, with 8 classrooms, 8 teachers, and 153 students, St. Andrew’s Parish High School was born." (3) "Mr. Lawrence Harper was the first principal of St. Andrew’s Parish High School; however, he died three months after the school was established. Miss Olga J. Johannas was elected acting principal. Mr. C.E. Williams became principal in 1941." (3)

"The addition of the high school marked a decided change in the Parish since high school students living in the parish had attended Charleston High School for boys and Memminger High School for girls in the city. Until 1947-48 all grades were housed at St. Andrew’s Parish School. "(1) One account states a difference in the grade split. "In 1943, the elementary grades were moved, and the current location became the High School campus." "In 1943, the administrative structure of the school was changed, and Mr. Williams became superintendent of the school district. Mr. E. Bernard Hester, affectionately known as “Fess,” a History and English teacher, was named principal of St. Andrew’s Parish High School." (3)

In 1944, construction was completed on combination gymnasium and cafeteria, which replaced lunch that was previously served out of locker rooms. (7)

In the 1950-1951 school year, the school Student Council elected its first Student Court. "For the first time in its history, the Student Council has established a Student Court. The main purpose for the formation of the Court is to allow the students to discipline themselves instead of being disciplined entirely by faculty." (5) "The decades of the fifties and sixties brought phenomenal growth to St. Andrew’s Parish. For more than ten years St. Andrew’s Parish was the fastest growing school district in South Carolina. To keep pace with the ever-growing student body, the facilities of St. Andrew’s Parish High School grew. In all, there have been forty additions or renovations to the structure. " (3)

In 1954, a new building called the "new wing" opened with 10 classrooms and two larger music rooms. (7)

In 1961, the science building with two modern laboratories was opened. (7)

"Residents of the West Ashley community attended one high school, St. Andrew’s High School, until 1970. At that time, the community was growing and the decision was made to convert St. Andrew’s Junior High School to a second high school. The second high school became known as Middleton High School." (

"On March 8, 1973, the untimely death of E. Bernard Hester, who was principal of St. Andrew’s Parish High School for thirty-one years, saddened the entire community. Neal Golden, Jr., who was serving as assistant principal at the time, was appointed principal.

The high school building suffered two fires in 1978. On Sunday, October 15th, 1978, firefighters responded to a fire started in the basement below the principal's office. While the fire was quickly extinguished, there was fire damage to the Principal's office and heavy smoke damage to the classroom located on the floor above the Principal's office. The fire at the time was being considered an arson. (13)

On December 21, 1978, a tragic fire destroyed the auditorium and damaged the adjoining wings so much, the County Board of Education authorized the building of the offices, classrooms, and library. " (3)

"In May of the year 2000, after 60 years for St. Andrew’s Parish High School and 30 years for Middleton High School, the last graduations for both schools were held. These events marked a very significant time in the history of the West Ashley Schools. As another chapter was completed, a new chapter was just beginning. The next Fall was full of anticipation as students attended West Ashley High School, located on split campuses. All programs were merged and students, parents, and teachers found new classmates, friends and co-workers." (1)

"In August of 2000, the schools merged to form West Ashley High School. A new facility, planned to house the students, had been under construction for three years. Delays in construction prompted the school to officially open on two campuses. All ninth and self-contained special education classes attended the majority of their classes on the St. Andrew’s Campus. The rest of the student body spent their time at the Middleton Campus. The following year, with the opening of the new facility, all students attended classes at the site of the present school located just off Glenn McConnell Boulevard." (14)

ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL SEAL OR COAT OF ARMS

The school seal or coat of arms has a history that dates back before St. Andrew's Parish High School was even founded. The history of St. Andrew's Parish began on that day in 1670 when English people landed at Albermarle Point, now the site of Old Town. This event is represented in the left side of the seal by the ship which represents one of the three which brought the first settlers. It was commanded by Captain William Sayle, who later became the first governor of South Carolina. Crossing each other, the two magnolia blossoms in the top half are a reminder that there are world famous gardens, Magnolia and Middleton, in the parish. The pelican on the seal was taken from the front of St. Andrew's Church, which has a pedestal of iron in the form of three pelicans. As legend has it, the pelican pierces her breast to feed her young with her blood, just as the Church of England supported the churches of her parishes in the New World. It is from this pelican that the school annual derives its name. The bottom study of a pick and a shovel tells that on the very site of the present school, a phosphate mine once existed. The shield on which the seal is placed bears the cross of St. Andrew, in whose honor the school is named. The crown adorning the top is the crown of Charles II, who was king in 1670. It commemorates the fact that St. Andrew's Parish was a "Crown Colony." On the sides of the crown is the motto, Sapere Aude, which means "Dare to Be Wise." The seal was drawn by the late E. Bernard Hester. It has since been adopted as the official seal of the school district. (2)(6)

Alma Mater

History of the St. Andrew’s Parish High School ALMA MATER

"The music and many words of our Alma Mater came from a musical comedy called "THE PRINCE OF PILSEN" which opened in Boston in 1902. The actual song was the HEIDELBERG STEIN SONG from that score - but only the "REFRAIN" passage is our entire Alma Mater (words adjusted). The phrase in the song "HERE'S TO" repeatedly is what the Germans do when standing around a piano, etc., to salute by hoisting their steins of beer - basically just about anything you could think of ......... as .... each "HERE'S TO" got them another large drink of beer from their steins.

As the story goes (pretty well substantiated) ----- Dennis Lee of the Classes of 64 and 65 and until his death in 2012 was owner of one of the biggest alcohol distributors in Charleston - well, his father was with his father in Germany in/around the early '40's. They fell for the taste of German Pilsner and thought they would arrange to have it exported to Charleston and to their company. Also - they brought back a song they had heard/sung in the pilsner houses and as Dennis Lee’s dad was in the first classes when St. Andrew’s High was first formed - this refrain from the song was lifted, words were adjusted and it became the Alma Mater.

Robert Blocker ’64, Dean of the Yale School of Music, used the actual music in the attached original score to write the music sheets for the Yale Chous so as to be exactly true to the original melody. " (4)

ST. ANDREW'S PARISH HIGH SCHOOL ALMA MATER

Here's to the land that gave us birth,

Here's to the flag she flies.

Here's to our sons, the best on earth,

Here's to her smiling skies.

Here's to our Alma Mater dear,

True as the stars above,

Here's to our faith and honor dear,

Here's to the school we love.

St. Andrew's School, St. Andrew's School,

We never shall forget.

The golden haze of student days is 'round about us yet.

The days of yore will come no more,

But thru the future years

The thought of you, so good, so true, Will fill our eyes with tears.

The thought of you, so good, so true, Will fill our eyes with tears.

The following arrangement on YouTube of the St Andrew's Alma Mater is performed by the Yale Glee Club under the direction of Jeff Douma. (14)

Buildings / Facilities

Main Building up to 1978

Main Building after 1980

1980 Main Building Plaque. Image on Flickr. Taken April 5, 2009. Published by Henry de Saussure Copeland.

1979 Gymnasium Plaque. Image on Flickr. Taken April 5, 2009. Published by Henry de Saussure Copeland.

Charles J. Ravenel Stadium

The football stadium was named for Charles J. Ravenel, who was Chairman of the District 10 School Board. He served on the St. Andrew's School Board from 1916-1964.

Iconic Soccer Stadiums. Twitter Images. Posted May 11, 2015. Published by Scott Eisberg WCIV.

Soccer Game at Ravenel Stadium. Twitter Images. Posted May 4, 2018. Published by Bill Burr Live 5 News.

District Superintendent Office

District Office Building on the High School Property. Image on Flickr. Taken April 5, 2009. Published by Henry de Sassure Copeland

Student Council Officers and Positions

Administration

Random and Odd STA History

Sources