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St. Dominic Regional
High School History
Founded in 1941, St. Dominic Regional High School is the realization of a dream of a priest, a people, and a community. Its story is one of hope and struggle, inspired by charity and perseverance. The theme that has run consistently throughout the more than sixty years of St. Dominic’s existence is the commitment to provide Catholic education for the young men and women of Central Maine.
The idea for the school was conceived by Rev. Herve Drouin, O.P., the Dominican pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish. It was his intense desire that the adolescent boys of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish be educated in the faith. The original school was located in the former Dominican Club on Bartlett Street in Lewiston and was staffed by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Thus began a relationship that would endure for 54 years.
Father Drouin’s zeal inspired strong community support. His original plan grew into a vision of a high school for young men and women, to be developed on land between Birch, Howe, and Jefferson Streets in Lewiston. It was envisioned that, in addition to classroom buildings, the school would have a library, playing fields, and an ice arena.
The first construction undertaken was the St. Dominic Arena. It was reasoned that the profits from the arena would help finance the new St. Dominic High School. The community responded with contributions of land, heavy machinery, and manpower. At the same time, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish began what became known as “La Marche des Dix Sous,” a parish collection that went to the St. Dom’s Fund. This collection went on for fifteen years under the sponsorship of the Holy Name Society of the parish. This was a remarkable feat of dedication reflecting the intense desire of the community for a Catholic high school.
In 1945, the first class of 20 young men was graduated. There were more members of that class who had interrupted their high school years to help with the war effort. They are remembered to this day as members of the class of ’45, even though they completed high school later.
In the following year, a four-year high school for young ladies was established under the direction of the Dominican Sisters. The school was a continuation of the two-year “Cours-Superieur,” and this resulted in the first coed graduation in 1948. The dream was on its way to fulfillment.
However, tragedy struck in 1956! The arena was destroyed by fire. After much soul searching, the decision was made to rebuild. The insurance money, proceeds from the “Marche des Dix Sous” and other fund-raising efforts, all totaling nearly $100,000, were committed to the Central Maine Youth Center. The Center was built on the site planned for the new high school.
Further development of a new St. Dom’s necessarily lay dormant. In 1966, the Dominican Sisters could no longer provide teachers for the school and they had to cease their devoted service to St. Dom’s. Coincidentally, funding problems forced the sponsoring Dominican Fathers to announce that the school would be closed.
The community would hear nothing of this and along with alumni, students and their parents manifested their strong desire for the perpetuation of St. Dom’s. As the result of many petitions, the Diocese of Portland worked to guarantee the continuation of the school. Legal title was transferred to the Diocese from the Dominicans and the school was regionalized, thus becoming St. Dominic Regional High School. The arena and other assets remained under legal title to the Dominican Fathers. Financial responsibility for the school was transferred to the nine Catholic parishes of Lewiston and Auburn. Each parish was assessed on a prorated basis for the school’s support. A regional school board was drawn from the supporting parishes, elementary school principals, and the principal of the high school.
The years that followed 1966 were marked with continuing struggle. Finances remained a problem reflecting the decline in the area’s economy. Enrollment also slipped, reaching a low point in 1973, the year that the new Lewiston Public High School opened. Part of the school moved to the Wallace Building in adjoining St.Patrick’s Parish and the school continued to share a building and expenses with St. Peter’s Elementary School. To create a separate identity within the common building, St. Dom’s section was designated the “Drouin Building” in honor of the founder, Father Drouin.
In the seventies and eighties and through the nineties, St. Dominic experienced the many changes common to Catholic education throughout the country. The numbers of religious declined and were replaced by lay faculty. The last of The Brothers of the Sacred Heart to teach at St. Dom’s left in 1995, ending 54 years of dedicated and distinguished service to the cause of Catholic education. These decades witnessed tuition increases and curriculum changes to meet the needs of the rapidly changing times.
Throughout its history, whether faced with crisis or prosperity, St. Dominic Regional High School remained faithful to its mission of providing a quality, faith-filled education to the thousands of young men and women who passed through its doors. The Lewiston/Auburn community was greatly enriched and continues to be enriched by graduates of the school as they serve the Church, work in industry and commerce, and raise their families.
In the fall of 1998, plans were announced to begin construction of a new Saint Dominic Regional High School. Under the leadership of the Most Reverend Joseph J. Gerry, OSB, PhD, D.D., a Capital Campaign Committee was established to raise the funds necessary to construct a new St. Dom’s. On August 8, 2000, the Feast of St. Dominic, the historic groundbreaking ceremony took place. Over 300 individuals attended this event, including government officials from Lewiston and Auburn, as well as individuals from surrounding communities, as well as many priests, religious sisters, graduates, friends, supporters, students, parents and faculty. The 68-acre parcel of land, on which St. Dom’s was to be constructed, was a gift of Mr. & Mrs. John Schiavi. After many months of construction and through the generosity of countless donors, the new school opened on January 6, 2002.
ST. DOMINIC TODAY
Saint Dominic Regional High School continues its tradition of educational excellence to the hundreds of students currently enrolled. These students live in cities as close as Lewiston and Auburn, and from surrounding areas as far away as Augusta, Brunswick, and New Gloucester. This education seeks to develop the whole person: mind, body and spirit.
The excellence of the school is reflected in the student body. 95% of graduates go on to higher education, attending many of the finest colleges and universities throughout the country. Examples include: Bates, Bentley, Boston College, Boston University, Bowdoin College, Brandeis, Clark, Colby, College of the Holy Cross, Columbia University, Cornell, Duke, Georgetown, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Rensselaer, Villanova, Worcester Polytech, and Yale . Others, reflecting St. Dominic’s commitment to a broad spectrum of student abilities and interests, move on to technical training or enter the work force. All students leave St. Dominic Regional High School capable of independently gaining knowledge, and possessing the tools to make education a lifelong process.
A vital element in the overall quality of the school today and the success of its students is the presence of a dedicated and talented faculty, religious and lay. All teachers are well-qualified and many possess advanced degrees and certificates. The value of the faculty does not rest on its technical competence alone. In and out of the classroom, faculty members are models of Christian living. Fortunate to work with highly motivated students, they continue to interact personally with them. As with all great teachers, they encourage their students to reach the full potential of their individual capabilities. The hallmark of the St. Dominic teacher is a deep personal commitment to each student.
The curriculum today successfully blends the best from the past with the recognition of new areas of study. Mastery of language skills and appreciation of great literature are balanced with the increasing roles of computers, technology, and science. The curriculum also accommodates for a range of student abilities by providing college prep, honors and Advanced Placement courses. The core curriculum focuses on the basics of English, math, religion, science, and social sciences, while requirements in fine arts, foreign languages, and physical education ensure a well rounded education. As a Catholic school, students take one religion class per year, in which students gain valuable life skills. Beyond the classroom work, students must complete community service hours each semester, culminating after four years with the senior involvement program. St. Dominic’s course of study ensures that each student graduates with a balanced and enduring foundation for the future.
The development of the student at St. Dominic is not restricted to the classroom. A wide range of other extracurricular activities are available to the students. In addition to the traditionally strong hockey program and the recently formed girls’ hockey team, students can avail themselves of baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, swimming, soccer and tennis. These sports make up the twenty-nine varsity, junior varsity and freshman teams offered for men and women. A wide array of clubs and activities complete the St. Dom’s experience. The National Honor Society, Key Club, Drama Club, and Student Senate are indicative of the many available interest groups in which close to 90% of the students participate. The Math Team consistently places high in state competition and the Key Club continues to provide countless service hours to the community. The same excellence that is sought in academics is pursued in athletics and in clubs and activities.
St. Dominic Regional High School
121 Gracelawn Road
Auburn, ME 04210
Tel: 207-782-6911 / Fax: 207-795-
Contact:
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