Holy Family Catholic School

Holy Family Catholic School (HFCS) has deep roots in Lafayette. Originally established as St. Joseph School in 1903, and then two name changes with the last name change occurring in 1981. Despite the change in name, the school has remained on the same property as the convent since 1911. Presently, Holy Family Catholic School is a beacon of light in Lafayette, LA promoting the values of Catholic education. Recently, HFCS expanded campus to include a new multipurpose center to house both the middle school and school gymnasium. This is the only school in the Lafayette Diocese boasting a 99% Black/minority student population with a unique blended culture of Catholic traditions, academic achievement, and athletic dominance . The small school reincarnated in 1999 with the hiring of Principal Rogers Griffin and student population exploded from 75 to 309 kids upon his retirement in June 2025. 

The school now is experiencing a serious disruption from the very state scholarship designed to reduce the academic achievement gap in lower income black and brown communities. The Louisiana Giving All the True Opportunity to Rise Act (LA GATOR) is a state funded government, Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) monitored program to give financial assistance to parents for educational material including school tuition, books, and technology. Due to government cuts, LA GATOR remains underfunded for the more than 17,000 statewide applicants.  

For the upcoming '26-'27 school year, 30 Holy Family students were removed from the LA GATOR program despite no change in family status, drastically reducing school enrollment, and resources. These families applied in March only to receive notification in July, a month before school opens, of their application denial. These 30 students still seek to attend HFCS despite the lack of GATOR funding.

HFCS is seeking financial support for these Christian families, from all who recognize the intrinsic civic value of morally and academically excellent youth. Thankfully, HFCS instills values of faith, civic engagement, and academic excellence both inside the classroom, and outside through field trips, choir and music, campus beautification as well as other enriching activities. 

Join Holy Family, and donate today.