Holy Name Catholic School opened in 1914 when three Sisters of Charity from Leavenworth, Kansas, traveled to Sheridan by train and wagon to begin classes. Four classrooms accommodated eight grades, and a fifth room served as the sisters’ residence. Despite early challenges, the school faithfully educated generations of students through World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II.
A 1949 building fund campaign raised $136,000 for a new facility—including a gymnasium/auditorium, cafeteria, and additional classrooms—was dedicated in 1952, and the PTA assumed responsibility for the hot lunch program, remembered for its cinnamon rolls.
During the late 1940s and 1950s, classrooms were led exclusively by devoted nuns. Alumni fondly recall Sister Marie, whose love of music and patriotism inspired students; Sister Helen Joseph, whose discipline encouraged respect and diligence; and Sister Mary Boniface, who combined firmness with kindness. In 1956, the boys’ basketball team achieved statewide recognition by winning the 3rd Annual All-State Parochial Tournament. In the 1970s, as the number of priests and nuns declined, lay teachers joined the faculty, continuing the school’s mission of excellence.
In 1983, Holy Name launched its first kindergarten program, established a school board, adopted a Constitution, and strengthened administrative and financial practices. The arrival of computers further enhanced instruction and administration.
Today, Holy Name Catholic School educates approximately 70 students each year, serving both Catholic and non-Catholic children from Pre-K through 5th grade. As an accredited school through the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA), Holy Name upholds nationally recognized standards of academic excellence while nurturing a strong Catholic identity. Students engage in a faith-centered curriculum where theology lessons, Scripture study, prayers, hymns, Sacraments, and weekly Mass are integrated into daily learning. Beyond academics, the school emphasizes the importance of living out faith through community service, helping students translate Catholic values into practical, real-world action and fostering a lifelong commitment to service, compassion, and leadership.
Holy Name also offers a wide variety of liberal arts, creative, and innovative programs that cultivate the whole child. The STEM Lab provides hands-on, minds-on learning across multiple modules, encouraging students in critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and real-world application of knowledge. Music education, including piano instruction and choir, enhances memory, discipline, and cognitive development, while theater and visual arts cultivate creativity, self-expression, and confidence. The bilingual choir, performing in English and Spanish, allows students to develop cultural literacy and serves as ambassadors for the school and the broader community, sharing their faith, talents, and values through public performance.
The school prides itself on creating a nurturing, inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and welcomes students from all backgrounds, with approximately one-third of the student body identifying as non-Catholic. This diversity strengthens the community, providing opportunities for students to learn respect, empathy, and understanding across cultures and beliefs, all within a framework of Catholic values.
For over a century, Holy Name Catholic School has been dedicated to providing rigorous, values-driven education. By combining academic excellence, creative enrichment, and a strong moral foundation, the school forms compassionate, capable, and confident leaders who are prepared to serve both God and community. Students leave Holy Name not only with a robust academic foundation but also with the character, faith, and critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the challenges of the modern world with integrity, purpose, and compassion.