St. Augustine School develops the whole person, promotes Gospel values, inspires a love of learning, and upholds academic excellence in a nurturing community.

St. Augustine School will create a strong spiritually centered community, living the Catholic/Christian virtues expressed through worship and service. It values the collaboration of all members of the community: Bishop, parents, alumni, students, administration, faculty, and staff. By modeling respect for all, especially in a diverse student population, the school invites all members of the community to actively participate in a faith-filled campus life.

St. Augustine School will create a dynamic academic environment where the love of learning and the pursuit of creative ideas are regularly perused. Committed and qualified faculty will emphasize high academic achievement while exploring the quest for wisdom.

St. Augustine school commits itself to provide a financially stable school where students are nurtured, respected, and encouraged to become service oriented members of the local community. St. Augustine school creates a positive atmosphere that heartens the human spirit, values the whole person and supports family values.

• To nurture Gospel values, Catholic beliefs, sacramental life, and religious practice
• To teach the whole person; spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical, and psychological aspects and provide opportunities for growth
• To instill traditional values such as respect, politeness, loyalty, trust, and dignity
• To promote the love of learning and the highest academic standards based on the appropriate ability level of students
• To witness a spirit of community within and outside the school by encouraging respect, service to others, and a cooperative spirit.
• To accept, encourage, and embrace the diversity; religions, economics, cultural, linguistic, social, academic among us.
• To employ competent, professionally prepared, and enthusiastic faculty
• To provide for the financial accountability and stability of the school

St. Augustine Elementary School was originally home to Ursuline Elementary School established by the Ursuline Sisters.  In the 1920s, the Sisters purchased the property at 1300 Galveston in order to expand their school from the downtown location on Convent Street. The school building commonly referred to as the “Little School”, now housing middle school students and named Ursuline Hall, in recognition of the contributions to Laredo since 1868, was completed in 1928.

In 1939, the Ursuline Sisters completed the building for Ursuline Academy (now the St. Augustine High School).  In 1975, Ursuline Academy closed and the school was sold to St. Augustine School, administered by the Sisters of Divine Providence.

The elementary campus, however, kept the name of Ursuline, as Ursuline Sisters remained among the faculty members, until 1990 when, at the request of the Ursuline Sisters, the name changed to St. Augustine Elementary School. 

The school has continued to grow and prosper throughout the years.  It now houses students in K-3 through 7th grade and is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference Accreditation Commission, using standards approved by the Texas Education Agency. 

Through the generosity of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Foundation, the school has a new wing, built in 1994, for its 1st-s4th graders, a student center/cafeteria which opened in the Fall of 2004 and is a shared facility with the high school, and this year, in the Fall of 2006, opens the doors of its Early Childhood Center. 

Through funding provided by the Kenedy Foundation, the school continues to add the latest in technology for its students.  This year, also with the generosity of the Kenedy Foundation, St. Augustine Elementary School has been able to renovate the original "old gym" (built in 1958) with the addition of an HVAC system. 

Additionally, through the support of both of these foundations, the school is able to provide tuition assistance to families who need help to make Catholic education accessible.  Next year, St. Augustine celebrates 80 years of service to its students and the Laredo and Nuevo Laredo community this year and continues its commitment to excellence in Catholic education, most especially under the guidance of our school superintendent, Dr. Rosa Maria Vida, and His Excellency, James A. Tamayo, Bishop of the Diocese of Laredo.