Morning Star Catholic School is truly a remarkable place that has a rich history of serving God’s children with special needs. 

Since 1960, Morning Star Catholic School has been working to fulfill its mission to provide children with special needs the opportunity to embrace their potential - to enable our students to function more independently and guide them on their spiritual, academic, social, physical, and emotional journey. Morning Star Catholic is a place where hope is found; where special needs students are given the opportunity to be the best they can be in body, mind and spirit.

In the 1960’s children with special needs were routinely institutionalized, denied education and subject to discrimination in many aspects of daily life. In fact, over 4.5 million children were not permitted to attend public schools prior to the early 1970’s when legislation to ensure equal education opportunities for special needs children began.

Ahead of his time, former Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley believed that every child should have the opportunity to learn. He asked the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine to pioneer five Morning Star schools and these became Florida’s first schools for children with intellectual disabilities. Under the direction of Sister Elizabeth Marie Stoup, Morning Star Catholic School was officially established in the College Park neighborhood of Orlando in 1960. On opening day, six students attended Morning Star Catholic. Since inception, more than 2,000 students have passed through our doors, all better prepared to face the monumental challenges of the world upon graduation.

Morning Star Catholic School is an accredited not-for-profit, tuition based school for special needs students. No child has ever been turned away from Morning Star Catholic because of race, religious preference, or an inability to pay; children and families of all economic means can receive exceptional care and a quality education.