Loreto Day School Dharamtala(LDSD), Dharamatala, Kolkata

Loreto Day School, Dharamtala, dates back to 1879, The school is under the management of the Loreto Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was founded in the 17th Century by Mary Ward, who was a visionary of education for women and girls and the important role they would play in society.

• At that time, the great street, leading from Esplanade and the Government House precincts, was the first street to be patronized by well off Europeans when they spread beyond the old Dalhousie Square limits. Today it is an important business area. The name Dharamtala means the "Abode of Religion".
• Mother Gonzaga McCarthy was the founder of Loreto Day School, Dharamtala.
• Dharamtala in 1862 together with Sr. Dympna. The Society purchased property in Dharamata Street — the present fine building, which was then a two-storeyed house. The ground floor was assigned to the Free School and the first floor to those who paid fees.
• There were 500 children in 1920. The main building rose to three storeys in 1914. The years 1926 - 1928 saw the erection of a two-storeyed wing to the East and another three-storeyed one to the West while long verandahs were enclosed to provide extra classrooms. The following year, 1929 saw the school raised to a Secondary School, taking the Senior Cambridge Examination. Much later the free school took on a new title “St. Francis’ Building”.
• Today, the School is recognized by the Education Department of the Government of West Bengal and is under the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (Anglo-Indian Board of West Bengal) and affiliated to the Indian Council for Secondary Education (I.C.S.E.).
• The students of Loreto Dharamtala have for years involved themselves in Reach Out programmes through the L.T.S., the C.L.C., the Ecology Club and other movements. They also offer their services to the old and aged of St. Lawrence D’Souza’s Home and the children of the Rainbow Home who live on the premises.
• Although the primary purpose of the school is the education of Catholic girls and pupils of other faiths, it also aims to give its pupils a sound moral education while devoting special attention to their intellectual, social and physical development. The school sees the values of Justice, Peace, Integrity, Freedom and Love as essential in its education thrust, and cherishing the most deprived and marginalized as God’s people, enabling them to take their place with dignity among others.
• Loreto Dharamtala educates children from all walks of life. Inspite of limited space and no playground, it can boast of numerous past pupils who have played their roles in the development of society as teachers, doctors, lawyers and journalists and some have even joined the Loreto Sisters.
• There is never a dull moment on our busy street as we are often affected by heavy traffic jams, the many political rallies and processions, not to speak of noise pollution caused by the buying and selling of traders and hawkers. This is the life and reality which our students are exposed to outside the gates of our school. Despite the many challenges they face, the majority of our girls report punctually for class and their lively faces reassure us that they enjoy it all.