Our Roots

Catholic education has been a cornerstone of the Port Washington community since 1853, when the first Catholic school was established under the guidance of the city’s first resident pastor, Father F.X. Sailer. In 1855, the School Sisters of Notre Dame took over teaching responsibilities, continuing until the school closed temporarily between 1857 and 1863. During this time, instruction was provided by the Sisters of the Dominican Motherhouse in Racine and later by the Agnesian Sisters. In 1870, the School Sisters of Notre Dame returned, continuing their long-standing legacy in Catholic education.

The school initially operated out of various buildings, including one built specifically for education in the late 1860s at a cost of $7,000. In 1916, a major milestone was reached with the construction of St. Mary’s School, led by Monsignor Peter Holfeltz. Built for $60,000, Monsignor Holfeltz noted that delaying construction just one year would have doubled the cost due to the impending war.

In the mid-1960s, a second Catholic school was opened at St. Peter’s Parish, and by then, St. Mary’s offered classes from kindergarten through 10th grade, while both schools served students from 1st to 8th grade. As enrollment declined in the 1980s, the two schools united to form Port Washington Catholic School. In the early 2000s, Immaculate Conception Parish in Saukville joined the effort, expanding the school’s regional reach.

A significant moment in the school’s story came in July 2016, when St. Mary’s, St. Peter of Alcantara, and Immaculate Conception merged to become St. John XXIII Catholic Parish. As part of this merger, Port Catholic School was renamed to reflect the new parish identity, becoming St. John XXIII Catholic School.

In the 1800s, the school was a rare example of cooperation between parochial and public education, working closely with the local public school district. In fact, public school funds were once used to support the Sisters’ work, forming one of the last remaining unions of its kind in the nation. Though public funding ended in 1884, St. John XXIII and the Port Washington–Saukville School District continue to collaborate today to ensure the best educational opportunities for all students in the community.

Today, St. John XXIII Catholic School serves as the parochial school for northern Ozaukee County, offering a faith-based education to 200 students from preschool through 8th grade. With 20 dedicated instructors, the school remains committed to nurturing the academic, moral, and spiritual growth of each child.