encountering christ
pursuing excellence

MISSION

Donahue Academy is a Catholic, classical school where students encounter Christ and pursue excellence in all things. Students will deepen their love of God and others through the pursuit of all that is true, good, and beautiful.

ADVISORY BOARD

The Advisory Board offers advice to help the school maintain faithfulness to its vision and mission. It also provides input on long-range strategic planning, serves the function of the school Finance Committee assists in advancement initiatives, and considers major concerns of parents or the community. Notably, the board advises the school; it does not govern or operates it. The Pastor, under the Bishop, is the governing authority for the school. He hires the principal who oversees all day-to-day affairs of the school and implements approved policies. Members of the community may request that an item be placed on the next Board meeting’s agenda. Requests for agenda items must be made in writing to the principal at least 10 days prior to a Board meeting.

OUR STORY

Ave Maria, Florida, was founded in 2005 under the visionary leadership of Roman Catholic philanthropist Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino’s Pizza. Mr. Monaghan envisioned Ave Maria as center for renewal of Catholic life through faithful Catholic institutions. Indeed, Ave Maria University (AMU), which he also established, soon relocated here from its Michigan campus, the Ave Maria Oratory was built in the heart of the town, and, in 2007, Ave Maria Grammar and Prep was established as an independent school to serve Catholic families. In 2009, philanthropist and AMU Trustee John F. “Jack” Donahue made a gift in honor of Rhodora Jacob Donahue, his wife and the matriarch of their family of 13 children. The school was thus named the Rhodora J. Donahue Academy, known simply as Donahue Academy. In 2017, the Diocese of Venice acquired both the oratory, now Ave Maria Catholic Church, and the school. In the years that have followed, Donahue Academy has more than doubled its faculty and staff and student bodies. We believe that growth is a sign of life, and pray that the Lord continues to nurture and guide the school and all its families.

Safe environment

Safe Environment is a Diocese of Venice two-part program – Safe Environment Training and Awareness and Fingerprinting/Background Checking – that must be completed prior to volunteering or working at the school. Staff, faculty, and volunteers use VIRTUS Online to register for the training (choose Rhodora J. Donahue Academy, when prompted, and not Ave Maria Parish) and fingerprinting. The cost is about $50. Results come back in 48 hours. You can also access VIRTUS from the Log In menu above.