In 1902 ground was broken for a new Academy founded by the Benedictine Sisters. The large bell in the tower atop the new four-story wooden building rang for the first time on September 4, 1903 to announce the beginning of school, and St. Scholastica was born.

When the bell rang in 1910, it was for the dedication of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, which is where the May Crowning is held for our current students. Through the years the bell rang for classes, for Mass and for the Angelus. From its place in the tower – the highest spot in Covington at that time, it announced the daily unfolding history of the school and the people who formed it – teachers, students, parents and the community. As it rang its daily messages, it marked the passing years of growth. In 1965, the Archdiocese purchased the school and agreed to build a new school plant. In 1967 the bell rang to announce the dedication of the new buildings by Archbishop Philip Hannan and SSA officially became an Archdiocesan high school. When the original buildings were torn down, the bell was removed from its tower and along with the Grotto remains as a symbol of SSA's history.

If the beautiful oaks that grace the campus could tell the stories of its students and teachers that were heard over the years, they would tell stories of joy, hope, challenges, and successes. The investment in lives, resources, and energies through the years of the Benedictine Sisters, defies measurements.

In May 2008, the bell rang to celebrate the graduation of the 105^th SSA class and to continue our “Tradition of Sisterhood”. SSA is proud of its past and embraces the present, continually striving to fulfill the four pillars of the Benedictine tradition of prayer, work, study and community. Each student continues the legacy that challenges us to always take time for each other, look for the best and build for tomorrow.

The school continues to provide students with outstanding educational opportunities by infusing an established, proven program with the most innovative, effective teaching strategies and current technologies.

Recognized as a national Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SSA has an enrollment of 780 students and an average class size of 22, which allows for personalized attention.

The effect of SSA's implementation of the four-by-four block schedule provides a structure for our creative and innovative teachers to utilize new methods of instruction and technologies, which engage students as active learners. In August 2007, the Academy unveiled its ambitious five-year Strategic Plan 2007-2012, “Innovation, Purpose and Promise”, which charts the course of continued excellence and plans to implement these goals in the near future.

In addition to maintaining strong academics, SSA students are required to complete community service hours comprised of involvement, exploration, action and reflection of their Catholic beliefs as applied to everyday life.

The all-girls environment allows for the development of individual initiative and leadership. The Guidance Department counsels students on academics, careers and colleges. SSA students consistently outscore the national averages on standardized tests. The Class of 2008 produced one commended student. Four valedictorians highlighted the graduation and a total of $5 million was received in scholarships to 33 universities.

SSA's extracurricular and sports programs form an essential part of school life. Our choir and play productions are a vital part of the Academy. Students can choose from 29 activities and 15 team sports. Last year, SSA won state championships in cross country, in tennis for the sixth consecutive year and the school's first state championship in soccer. Swimming was state runner-up, volleyball was a state semi-finalist, bowling and softball made the playoffs, indoor track finished eighth in both 4A and 5A schools, golf made it to the state tournament, and outdoor track was district and regional champion.

Our vision for SSA is part of our spirit – that the quality of life in our society becomes greatly improved when young women are educated to succeed, stand confident and lead Christian lives of service and responsibility.