Lourdes Public School and Junior College was established in 1996 by Lourdes Educational Trust on behalf of Lourdes Forane Church which belongs to the Archdiocese of Changanacherry. The Archbishop of Changanacherry is its patron and the vicar of Lourdes Forane Church is the Manager. It is an English medium co-educational institution recognized by Central Board of Secondary Education. The school is located in the heart of Kottayam town, opposite the District Headquarters in the state of Kerala, India. The school was awarded minority status by the National Minorities Commission in 2012. Lourdes Public School was ranked 1st among the Co-ed Day Schools in Kottayam, 2nd in Kerala and 99th in India in the Indian Day Schools League Table by Education World for 2013.[1]
The manager together with the trustees of the church manages the day-to-day running of the school. The academic head is the Principal. The present patron is Mar Joseph Perumthottam, Archbishop of Changanacherry and the manager is Rev. Fr. Dr. Joseph Manakalam. The current principal is Rev. Fr. Manoj K. Mathew (Karukayil).[original research?]
Lourdes School had its first batch of students attending the AISSCE examination of CBSE in 2002. Initially the school provided only primary and secondary education. The higher secondary education was started in 2004 with institution of Junior College and the first batch wrote AISSE examination in 2006. In higher secondary level, the school offers three streams- Maths+Biology, Maths+Computer and Commerce
Apart from academic activities, the school also provide training in co-curricular activities. The school imparts training in vocal music, dance, painting and crafts, instrumental music and cooking. Students' literary Association is held every week to provide opportunity to develop hidden talents of the students. The school participates in the CBSE youth festivals held under the banner of Sahodaya Association.
The Physical Education Department also organizes various outdoor programs. Various clubs like Nature club, Science club, Social science club, Arts club etc. are being organized and conducts debates, exhibitions, quizzes and study tours.
The school celebrates important days and festivals, like Onam, Independence Day and Christmas. The day is marked by an address by an eminent personality, followed by cultural events. The school celebrates Teachers' day, with the older students taking over the teaching of the younger classes. Other important days in an academic year include Literary Association Inauguration, School Day celebration, Sports Day, Arts Festival etc.
The school conducts an annual All Kerala School Basketball tournament for the prestigious Lourdean Trophy since 2003. The winner of the Lourdean Trophy was St. Ephrems, Mannanam and that of the Girls Lourdean Trophy was Mount Carmel, Kottayam. The junior basketball trophy was Lourdes School itself. Every year elections to the school parliament are held to inculcate democratic values in students.
The school brings out an annual magazine christened Lourdean, the first edition of which was brought out in 2001. The magazine includes literary works of the students and teachers. The Lourdean Voice is a newsletter, published with a view to keep parents informed about day-to-day activities of the School. It also gives the students a chance to display their literary skills.
Fr. A.M. Mathew Munduvalayil Scholarship: The annual interest of rs.10,000/ given as a cash scholarships to the top scorer in the AISSE examination of the CBSE.
Mar Joseph Powathil Scholarship: A cash scholarship for the student who scores the highest aggregate irrespective of the stream in the AISSCE Examination, in remembrance of the pastoral visit on 11 December 2005.
Rev. Mani Puthiyidom Scholarship: For the top scores in the I - IX classes, instituted in honor of the dedicated services rendered by former Manager Rev. Dr. Mani Puthiyidom.
Fr. Joseph M. Cheruvelil Scholarship: For the top scores in X, XI, XII classes, instituted in honor of the dedicated services rendered by Rev. Fr. Joseph M. Cheruvelil as the principal.
The school runs various Science labs, Computer lab, Language lab, library and Guidance and Counseling wings. The school ground has facilities for Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Shuttle, Badminton, Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Put etc.[citation needed]
