The parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin was established on the south bank of the St. John’s River in the autumn of 1913. The first Mass was offered in a rented store.

The original Assumption School was constructed at the corner of Gary and Naldo Streets in 1923. This first school was quite small and accommodated 110 students. Classes were taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine.

In 1948, while Father James Cloonan was pastor of the parish, land was purchased on Atlantic Boulevard. The existing building on the property, which was formerly the Merrill-Stevens Shipyard Administration Building, was converted into a school. This new Assumption School opened in September 1949 with 317 students. It also operated under new leadership provided by the Sisters of St. Dominic from Adrian, Michigan.

In 1954, the Florida State Road Department acquired the property on Gary Street, and, in 1955, the present Assumption Catholic Church was built on property adjacent to the school. The growth of the parish and school continued, and, in 1958, the convent was constructed making space available for six additional classrooms. 

In 1965, under the leadership of Monsignor Harold Jordan, the fifth through eighth grade classrooms were built along with the Parish Hall. These additional buildings allowed the school to convert the old auditorium into a library and media center.

Monsignor Eugene Kohls became the Pastor in 1977. During his time at Assumption, a new Activity Center was built freeing the Parish Hall for school use. A preschool for three and four year olds was implemented, and, in 1996, the original school building was completely renovated and updated.

Father Fred Parke became Pastor of Assumption in 2002. Shortly after coming to Assumption, he began the Heritage and Horizons building campaign. Through this campaign, the middle school and Early Childhood Learning Center were built. In addition, Father Fred led the way in bringing the Sisters Home of the Mother to Assumption as well as the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Students are now able to learn from the Sisters each week, during liturgical events, and in school retreats. They are also able to visit the Blessed Sacrament throughout the school week. It is because of Father Fred’s leadership and initiatives that Assumption is truly a community who is “united in the Eucharist.”

Fr. Jason Trull became pastor on July 1, 2019. He is a native son of Assumption. His family have been members of the parish since the church was on Gary Street. He is a member of the Assumption Class of ’88 and Bishop Kenny Class of ’92. Fr. Jason has been a priest for 17 years and a pastor for 14 and looks forward to many years of ministry at Assumption.

The Florida Catholic Conference first accredited Assumption in 1973 as one of the original schools to receive accreditation. The school has maintained this accreditation status up to the present day.

The Assumption faculty and administration have also changed dramatically since the school started. In the early years of Assumption from 1923-1969, the principal and teachers were primarily nuns. Sister Patricia Eileen Consier was the last principal who was a nun. Since 1977, the principal has been a lay Catholic. Today, the teaching staff and principal are mostly lay Catholics.

In the fall of 2006, Assumption was blessed with four Sisters from the Home of the Mother. Although they are not a “teaching order”, they do add a special dimension to our faith formation and spirituality. They visit the classrooms each week and have added two days of retreat and recollection to our school year. They help ensure Christ is the center of every aspect of education, religious formation, growth, and character development. As part of Assumption’s mission, the school strives to ground students in the principles of the Gospel: peace, brotherhood, love, patience and respect of others. These virtues are practiced and modeled by members of the school community every day.

In conjunction with Assumption Church, Assumption Catholic School is blessed with the addition of the Early Childhood Learning Center. The center offers full day, half day, and part time programs for infants through preschool. The center originally began as a nursery nearly 20 years ago that served the children of teachers and staff. We are thrilled to share this blessing with the rest of our Christian community and look forward to providing a whole child approach to education with these little ones!

Mrs. Maryann Jimenez began her years in Catholic education by first attending Assumption Catholic School and then San Jose Catholic. She then fulfilled her high school years at Bishop Kenny before heading off to Florida State University. As a summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Florida, Mrs. Jimenez began her teaching career in Duval County Public School. After working for three years at Richard L. Brown Elementary, Mrs. Jimenez began teaching 3 rd grade at Assumption in 2010. It was during this time that she began work towards her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership through Saint Leo University graduating in December of 2014. During her degree completion, Mrs. Jimenez began serving as one of Assumption’s Assistant Principals in 2013. Mrs. Jimenez became principal of Assumption School in 2015 and continues to lead our school into the future.

Mrs. Jennifer Churchill is a graduate of both Assumption Catholic School and Bishop Kenny High School. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Child Development from Florida State University. Shortly after graduating, Mrs. Churchill began teaching in the Diocese of Saint Augustine at Holy Rosary Catholic School. There, she began her career in administration as she earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Leo University. Mrs. Churchill became assistant principal of Assumption School in 2015.

Assumption is one of the oldest parochial schools in Jacksonville. The Assumption community looks forward to the future knowing that the school has been built on a solid foundation with principles and values that remain unchanged in an ever increasing, changing society. 

We believe;
• Each student is a unique child of God!
• Catholic education is our Church’s mission to proclaim the gospel message of Jesus, to build faith communities and to serve others without distinction.
• A Catholic School’s priority reflects the integration of our Catholic faith and values with student learning.
• A safe environment promotes learning and success of every child.
• Success of student learning is derived from knowledge that each child learns in a different way on different days.
• The Pastor, Associate Pastor, Sisters, principals, teachers, students and parent advisory organizations, and all members of the Assumption Catholic Community share responsibility for the mission of the school.
• A rigorous learning environment cultivates a student’s intellectual and social growth.
• Students and staff are committed to creating a Christ-like learning environment where respect for all is lived out daily.