History

The roots of Cardinal Newman School trace back to 1834, when the Ursuline Sisters arrived in Charleston, SC at the request of Bishop John England. They later established Ursuline High School for Young Women in Columbia in 1858, marking the beginning of a lasting legacy in Catholic education.

After several relocations—including during the Civil War—the school was reestablished as St. Peter’s School in 1872 and eventually became Ursuline High School once again. In 1957, the property was transferred to the Diocese of Charleston and renamed Catholic High School of Columbia. Just a few years later, in 1961, the school moved to Forest Drive and was renamed Cardinal Newman High School.

Over the decades, Cardinal Newman expanded its facilities, programs, and grade levels—adding a middle school in 1989 and continuing to grow in enrollment and academic excellence. In 2016, the school relocated to a new, state-of-the-art campus on Alpine Road, which grew to 76 acres by 2020.

In 2022, Kelly Burke was appointed Principal. In 2024, she transitioned into the role of President, and longtime faculty member Charles Assey was promoted to Principal—continuing the school’s proud tradition of faith, scholarship, and service.