School History

In response to a growing Catholic population in the Newark, Bear, and Middletown areas of New Castle County, Bishop Michael Saltarelli approved the construction of Christ the Teacher Catholic School in mid-2000.  CTTCS would be, and still is, the first Catholic elementary school to be built in Delaware since 1962.  The construction was part of the diocesan Bringing the Vision to Life Capital Stewardship Campaign. The groundbreaking took place on June 12, 2001.  Shortly thereafter, Sister LaVerne King, RSM, was appointed the first principal.  The charism of the Sisters of Mercy (those of hospitality and service to others) would define the school upon its founding and into its bright future, even after the Sisters of Mercy left the school in June of 2020.

Christ the Teacher Catholic School opened its doors to students on September 3, 2002, and was formally dedicated on September 22 of that same year, with Bishop Saltarelli blessing the cornerstone.  At that time, there were 357 students with two classes of each grade from kindergarten through fifth, and one class of sixth grade.  In the years since the school has grown to include part-time Pre-Kindergarten for three- and four-year-olds and two classes of each grade from kindergarten through eighth. In the fall of 2018, the Pre-Kindergarten program was expanded to full-time.  The total enrollment for the school is over 615 students.  In 2007, CTTCS was first accredited by the Middle States Association, and again in 2014, which will be renewed in 2021.

Situated on 40 acres, the building and grounds are multi-functional.  68,000 square feet of classroom space is arranged in ways that accommodate various learning styles and equipped with updated technology and infrastructure.  In addition to academic activities, the building and grounds accommodate the faith, athletic, and social needs of the school as well as St. Margaret of Scotland Parish and other community activities.  On May 11, 2018, CTTCS announced that it would break ground for the construction of a 16,700 square foot addition which includes a varsity-sized gymnasium and two Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. The groundbreaking took place on May 30, 2018, with Bishop W. Francis Malooly leading the ceremony along with various other school and diocesan dignitaries present. Construction on the project began on July 23, 2018, and was finished in August, 2019, and opened on September 3, 2019.  The new building was formally dedicated by Bishop Malooly on September 8, 2019.  Over 800 students, parents, alumni, and diocesan staff were present at the dedication.

In 2010, the hard work of the students, faculty, and staff was recognized by the United States Department of Education when it was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in the area of "High Performing Schools."  The honor was bestowed again in 2016 (this time as an "Exemplary High Performing School"), thus recognizing the efforts and achievements of the school population again for the second time in the institution's short history: a feat not easy to accomplish at any school.  This places our school at the top one-quarter of one 1% of schools in the nation among all schools, and as one of the top 50 among all private schools in the nation.  The school has been recognized many other times by national organizations including the National Catholic Educational Association, Today's Catholic Teacher publication, and the Anti-Defamation League among others.  

In June of 2020, the last two serving Sisters of Mercy sadly left the school for new ministries.  This included the founding Principal, Sr. LaVerne King, RSM, and Religion Coordinator, Sr. Rosalie Pronsati, RSM.  On April 22, 2020, former Assistant Principal Mr. Stephen W. Adams was named the second Principal of CTTCS (and first lay person), followed by the June, 2022, announcement that Mrs. Kathleen Lee, part of the original founding faculty, would serve as the third Principal.

A qualified lay faculty and staff comprise the personnel of the school.  The pastors of the four sponsoring parishes (Holy Family - Newark, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - Bear, St. Joseph's - Middletown, and St. Margaret of Scotland - Newark) also participate in the school, providing faith experiences, support, and guidance.  One pastor fulfills the role of the Canonical Administrator and the school functions under the guidance of an Advisory Board.  The faculty/staff includes not only classroom teachers, but also teachers for physical education, art, music, foreign language, piano, technology, library, resource teachers, teacher aides, school counselor, nurse, office staff, maintenance, and cafeteria personnel.  

In the Fall of 2021, Mr. Adams announced the creation of the McAuley Educational Support Program (MESP) to assist students with differing learning styles.