School History & Philosophy

Daytona Beach Catholic secondary education began in 1924 with the establishment of St. Paul Parish School. To meet the growing need for a central Catholic high school in the area the Diocese of St. Augustine built Father Lopez Catholic High School in 1959. The school has been under the direction of the Diocese of Orlando since 1968.

Originally, the staff was composed of diocesan priests and the sisters of St. Dominic in Blauvelt, New York. Today, the staff includes dedicated lay persons and a diocesan priest (school pastor). The present student population of Father Lopez Catholic High School is approximately 300. Students are drawn from a broad countywide spectrum of social, ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds.

Accreditation of Father Lopez is by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school has consistently received full accreditation since its formation in 1959.

Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales was the chaplain to Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles's Spanish expedition to Florida. On September 8, 1565, Menendez came ashore at the site of the Timucuan Indian village of Seloy. At the site, he was met by Father Lopez with a large cross. Menendez named the site Nombre de Dios (Name of God) and set Father Lopez in charge of the mission which was named St. Augustine. Thus, Father Lopez became the first pastor of St. Augustine and celebrated the first Mass of Thanksgiving in Florida on September 8, 1565. An impressive bronze statue of Father Lopez is located at Mission of Nombre de Dios, St. Augustine, Florida.

PHILOSOPHY

Father Lopez Catholic High School is a forward moving, outward-reaching, four-year, academic, coed high school under the direction of the Diocese of Orlando.  Inspired by God to have a love for all people, we face our world and times with genuine optimism and enthusiasm.  We believe that students should be educated according to their God-given talents.  We respect the gift of God in them - respect their intelligence - respect their faith and their good will.  We educate our students to meet the challenges and obligations of Christian living in a responsible and self-disciplined manner.  To accomplish this, Lopez Catholic provides a curriculum that strives to meet the individual needs of each student.  The learning process allows students to experience a sense of accomplishment, to clarify their values, and to develop an appreciation of their own worth.