Ford, pastor of Saint Ann Parish in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, recognized the need of a Catholic school for the children of his parish. Father Ford's dream became a reality when he was able to purchase the old Bridgeport Protestant Orphan Asylum on the corner of Ellsworth Street and Fairfield Avenue. The building was immediately converted into Saint Ann School under the guidance of the
Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. During the pastorate of Reverend Joseph Heffernan, the present Saint Ann School was built on Brewster Street and opened in September 1960. At that time, enrollment was limited to children in grades one through eight. In 1975, a Kindergarten class was added. Five years later the Pre-Kindergarten program began. Over the years several improvements were made to the building to enhance the learning environment. The library was dedicated to the memory of Father Sean Flynn. In the early eighties, a computer room was added. Under the pastorate of Father Joseph J. Malloy offices for the principal and the school secretary were constructed in September 1992. In 2006, as a reflection of the ever-changing world of technology, the building was installed with wireless Internet capabilities and the library was converted to a Media Center with the addition of laptop computers for student use. The former Computer Lab was converted to a Science Lab. Also, a Three-Year Old Program was begun in the former convent. In 1990, the Diocese of Bridgeport regionalized all of its elementary schools. Bridgeport regionalization originally included seven schools. These schools became part of Region X known as the Bridgeport Catholic Elementary School System (BCESS). In 2005, Region X converted to the Bridgeport Cathedral Education Cluster (CEC). Six school campuses formed the CEC, including St. Andrew, St. Ann, St. Augustine, St. Peter and St. Raphael. The CEC schools were served by a single Advisory Board and a central business office. In the Fall of 2008, both St. Ann and St. Andrew school were asked to begin to develop their own, separate School Advisory Board. The charter St. Ann board members were approved by the Diocese by the end of 2008 held their first meeting in December. This board will begin to assist the principal with strategic planning, facilities, development, marketing and PR. In recent years, St. Ann Campus has been transformed into a multicultural learning environment and has expanded its programs. Families in financial need can apply for assistance through a variety of sources. As a result, Saint Ann Campus is able to provide an enriching, well-rounded pre-kindergarten through eighth grade education for its students.
