In March 2004, a letter was sent on behalf of the parishioners of St. Stephen’s Parish to St. Thomas Aquinas School Division, requesting help in forming a Catholic school district in Lacombe. After numerous meetings, a census of Lacombe was conducted to determine the number of Catholic families residing in Lacombe. This number was determined to be 800.
With the help of many individuals, a meeting was organized and a vote taken to establish a Catholic school district in Lacombe. Almost immediately, a steering committee was formed. Their task was to locate a building and hire school staff. After relentless searching, the Nelson School was secured as a new home for the yet unnamed Catholic school.
A contest was then held to determine the name of the school. The overwhelming choice for the name was Father Lacombe Catholic School. Not only was Father Lacombe a prominent Catholic Missionary, but the namesake for the town. The school opened its doors in September 2005 with 82 students from ECS to Grade 5. Father Lacombe Catholic School’s enrollment has grown to over 240 and now accommodates students from ECS through Grade 9
The school has established itself as a place where the school motto of “Knowing, Loving, Serving” is lived out on a daily basis.