Loreto Day School Bow Bazar (LDS), Bowbazar, Kolkata

Loreto Day School, Bowbazar, was established in 1844 on the 8th of December. It was known as St. Francis Xavier Convent. It was originally a small private school owned by Mr. and Mrs. Cooper. There were boarders from the middle income group who paid their fees. A Free school was also running parallel to the paid school. There were both boys and girls. In 1845 the Christian Brothers took charge of the boys. LBB was the second assignment for the young Loreto Sisters who came to India from Ireland. The Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary, 15, Portuguese Church Street, Kolkata 700001 being the first port of call after reaching India in 1841 on the 30th of December. In 1845 the Loreto Sisters were asked to help in the Medical College Hospital temporarily. The Sisters managed the domestic and household duties. They managed the provisions and looked after the ladies in the Female Ward. This arrangement proved to be economical for the doctors.In 1857, the year of the Mutiny, there was a rumour that trouble might spread to Calcutta. The people from the suburbs were removed to Fort William area and the orphans and Sisters from Loreto initially were moved to Loreto Day School, Bowbazar.In 1882 the school in Bowbazar, which was operating from a house given by M. Cooper , was given to the free section of St. Joseph. A new property was acquired for the 300 children of Loreto Day School, Bowbazar. In 1882 the premises of Loreto Day School, Bowbazar was completed. The Concert Hall and other improvements were made. The building grant sanctioned by the government was not sufficient, therefore , it had to be supplemented by Dr. Goethals. They still needed money for furniture and additional Halls.In 1884 the new Church was built on the ground of the free school. A free school was to be built on a new plot which was purchased. At that time, only the middle school scholarship open to competition, was won by Loreto Day School, Bowbazar. Among the primary scholarships, LBB won two as well. LBB was always affiliated to the Education Department of the State. The school leaving certificate ,then known as Matric, was later called the Madhyamik Pariksha of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Examination. In 1976 the first batch appeared for the Higher Secondary Examination of the West Bengal Education Council. Until 1986, there was also the Modern School Final Examination conducted by the West Bengal Government.In 1990, a literacy programme for the street children began. The idea was to make the girls self-sufficient by offering them opportunity to train as housekeepers or house wives and mothers who would be capable of handling their home and children. Though it did not take off in a big way, we hope to revive it. “Nurturing To Freedom” is the basis of all activities in the school.

Our Mission

We are deeply indebted to Mary Ward whose vision of education for girls was far in advance of her times. Recognizing the significance of education for women and the important role they would play in society in the future. Mary Ward chose her special area of service, the education of girls. We carry on that tradition to the present day and are continually nourished by her spiritual insights.