On September 6, 1956, Cor Jesu Academy opened its
doors for the first time on Macklind Avenue on The Hill under the administration of Sr. Anita
Marie Giampietro, ASCJ, its founding principal. With the approval of
Joseph Cardinal Ritter and the Archdiocesan Superintendent of
Schools, and the accreditation of the University of Missouri, Cor Jesu began to expand and build its curriculum to meet the
needs of each subsequent school year.As enrollment continued to increase, a new and
larger facility was needed. In 1965 the present campus was
opened on the 13-acre tract near Grant's Farm in Southwest St.
Louis County. Cor Jesu has been accredited by the North Central
Association since 1971, and in 1990 the school was named a
Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the Department of
Education.
In 1987 construction of an expanded Library-Fine
Arts Center was undertaken, resulting in greater research,
classroom, computer and resource facilities. In the spring of
1999, the administration authorized one of the most
comprehensive self-studies in the history or Cor Jesu,
resulting in its first-ever large-scale capital campaign. The
success of the campaign brought about the construction of
the 16,000 square-foot addition, Clelian Hall (in 2005),
which houses five classrooms with interactive technology,
administrative offices, Guidance and Counseling offices and
a College and Career Center, an enlarged faculty room, a new
school entrance and main office, an enlarged parking lot
and a new rear campus. Changes also were made to the
existing building, including the addition of a classroom and
Fitness Enrichment Center (weight room) and the renovation
of a science lab.
