The Eagle
Saint John's mascot, the Eagle, is powerful, independent and possesses
the ability to endure through adversity. These are some of the traits
that are emphasized at Saint John. As an eagle soars with strength and
confidence, so do students who leave the elementary level, prepared to
meet all challenges that await them in the higher levels of their
educational process.
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History
 In 1870 Archbishop
Napoleon J. Perche, Archbishop of New Orleans, had as one of his main
concerns that of a Catholic education for children. He preached and
wrote tirelessly on this subject and greatly influenced Father M.
Harnais, pastor in Franklin. Father Harnais made known his desire to
establish a Catholic School for girls to the Archbishop, had his plans
approved, and endeavored to buy the property and building west of the
Methodist Church on Main Street.
He wrote to the Provincial Superior of the
Marianites of the Holy Cross requesting her to come or to send sisters
to Franklin for a visit. In the summer of 1871 two sisters came, were
favorably impressed, and upon their return urged the Superior to accept
the mission. On October 31, 1871, Mother Mary Euthychuis and four
sisters arrived in Franklin. The building which was to be their future
home needed many repairs; the sisters worked hard and finally both the
school and the convent were in readiness.
St. John Academy received the blessing of
the Church on November 4, 1871. The institution was placed under the
guidance of Saint John the Evangelist, and was called The Academy of
St. John. It was the fifth permanent foundation of the Marianite
Sisters of Holy Cross.
 In 1920, Sister Mary
Xavier became principal of Saint John Academy. To accommodate the many
boarders seeking a refined education, she had the convent enlarged, a
third story added and many other improvements made. The convent
celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1921, and under the leadership of
Sister Mary Xavier, Saint John's Auxiliary was organized in 1923. Not
long after, its name was changed to Saint John Cooperative Club. Saint
John continued to progress and in 1924 received the stamp of the state
seal, approving the course of studies.
The principal appointed in 1932, Sister Mary
Frances, spent many years here, weathering a storm and a depression.
Despite these hardships, the school progressed and a Pieta was erected
on the campus in thanksgiving. The following years saw the school
growing little by little and Sister Frances became a dear friend of
many in the community.
In 1949 the Marianite Sisters sold the
property on which their convent was built to the Church of the
Assumption. Father Rousseau then purchased property on the corner of
Main Street from Mr. Rene Himel and on that site built a new school
building in 1950, the present Saint John Elementary. The new convent
was built in 1960 and in 1965 the cafeteria was erected.
By 1986 most of the Marianites had left
Saint John and for the first time the school came under the
administration of a lay principal, Mrs. Diane Nugent. Sadly the
services of the Marianites ended completely in May of 1991. Another era
ended in the fall of 1991 when Mr. Joseph D. Doucet became the first
male principal of Saint John. Mr. Doucet’s leadership extended
from the fall of 1992 to May, 1997. Appointed to succeed Mr. Doucet for
the 1997 school year was Gayle Clement, a retired teacher and principal
of the St. Mary Parish School System. Mrs. Clement served as
principal for ten years. Mrs. Sheri Higdon was appointed
principal for the 2007-2008 school year.
Today Saint John is under the purview of the
Pastor of the Church of the Assumption and is under the administration
of lay personnel and staffed by qualified, dedicated teachers. Saint
John is no longer a high school for girls, but rather a grammar school
for boys and girls from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Five and serves
eight church parishes.
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