Nazareth Academy

Nazareth Academy has a somewhat unique history. Though it has been a school for more than fifty years it has not always been Nazareth Academy. The doors of the school actually opened on 2 February 1939 under the banner of Saint Michael's School. Under the capable leadership of Mother Engelbert, the Sisters of the institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary came to establish this first convent school in Gaya. The school was originally Hindi medium, though it slowly evolved into two sections - Hindi and English - and ultimately it became English medium with Hindi as a subject.

By 1953 ground was broken for school building with five new classrooms. In 1955, the former Mazumdar property next door was purchased. 1964 saw the third storey put on the building of 1953 plus a further wing of nine more classrooms The School hall and library room were additions of' 1969, followed in 1974-76 by the high school building of twelve more class rooms. The Administration block was built in 1990 and Primary Section block was built in 1993.The newest construction in the campus situated infront of the auditorium consists of two state-of-the-art computer labs, mathematics and language labs was inagurated on 22nd October 2009.
The first location of the school was in a house on Katari Hill Road. Two moves after that, by 1942, it had shifted to the present site, which had been originally a Masonic Lodge, and later a private residence expanded by the owner into its present form.

Mother Engelbert, Sister Carina (who died in Gaya), Sister Melita, and Sister Stanislaus by their zeal and dedication, laid a firm and lasting foundation; and only the course of history halted the progress they and their fellow Sisters were making in those first years - World War 11 came, and by mid 1942, the Sisters, who belonged to the German Loreto Sisters, had to leave Gaya for their larger institutions in India. One of the teachers of beloved memory in Gaya was Miss Alma John who was on the staff of Saint Michael's and some years later joined Nazareth Academy.

A second group of Sisters, the Irish Loreto Mothers, took over the school in 1943. The school, under its second name, Loreto Convent, continued to progress and grow in numbers. It had been co-educational from the very beginning. Classes were added on and by the late 1940's students were being prepared for both Junior and Senior Cambridge examinations, which they took as private candidates in the recognized Cambridge schools in Patna.

Again history intervened. The large Loreto institutions in India were in need of more personnel, and in 1950 the administration decided to close the institution which was to be Nazareth Academy. With heavy hearts the Sisters bade farewell to a school that had become very dear to them. Mother Helena, Mother Pauline, Mother Raphael, Mother Victorine, Mother Germaine and Mother Agnes (both died in Gaya), Mother Plauline and Sister Jude and others were among the Sisters who had continued building up the educational institution which was Loreto Convent and which, in January 1951, became Nazareth Academy.

The band of four Sisters of Charity of Nazareth who arrived 28 December 1950 to staff this well established school were : Sister Charles Miriam, Sister Ann Bernacette, Sister Ann Roberta, and Sister Ellen Maria. Sister Charles Miriam took up the administration as Principal with great vigour. She and the other Sisters and teachers tried to maintain the line traditions set up by their predecessors and at the same time promote the progress and expansion of the school.

Expansion of material facilities naturally implies expansion of enrollment. From the humble 130 students of the early 40's the present figure of approximately 2000 students is rather staggering. The course of studies has also changed considerably. The Junior and Senior Cambridge Courses were eventually discarded, and for some years the students became private candidates for the Bihar Board examinations. For a few years boys were allowed only upto class VII, but by 1975 they were again admitted for all classes up through matriculation. In 1981 recognition from the Central Board of Secondary Education in Delhi was obtained, and the first candidates passed in 1983. Each year has seen a class of approximately 140 boys and girls passing the All India Secondary School Examination of the Delhi Board. At present it is a Senior Secondary School.

With increased enrollment, the school staff has also expanded. The first two Principals, Sister Charles Miriam and Sister James Leo, availing themselves of the strong foundation of their predecessors, continued to maintain tile traditions already established and to expand on the good scholastic standards attained, the years rolled by, the teaching staff expanded, and the school passed gradually from American to Indian hands. Subsequent Principals have been: Sister Anne Marie, Sister Ann George, Sister Ann Palatty, Sister Reena and the present principal Sister Vijaya. Under their able guidance, the school has grown and developed enlarging its influence and its scope from year to year.

Nazareth Academy, through its students, past and present, is known all over India and in many foreign lands. Its representatives are in all branches of the armed forces, they are found in all professions: doctors, lawyers, teachers, government officials, business men, scientists, engineers and many other professions and occupations. By their good character and reputation, their skill and ability, they carry the banner of excellence and exemplify the high merits of the educational institute that fostered their growth and prosperity.