About

Welcome! From our family to yours.

Hello, my name is Monica Morrison! My favorite part about being an administrator at Holy Trinity Catholic School is interacting with the students, staff, and families. I feel so blessed to work with a great team of educators, see your students in our building every day, and work with families who care about this community. 

Holy Trinity is a positive and proactive school where all students are supported through a responsive, multi-tiered support system. Learn more about our commitment to sustained success in raising student achievement. We want students to succeed and become lifelong disciples of Christ. Learn more about our mission to inspire learning for life within a Catholic environment.

Monica Morrison
Holy Trinity Principal

Welcome! From our family to yours.

Greetings! As pastor of this parish, I frequently hear from visitors and new parishioners what a welcoming place Holy Trinity is, and we would love to extend the same warm welcome to you. Our parish was founded in 1920, and Holy Trinity Catholic School opened in 1922. Both have been an anchor in the Beaverdale neighborhood and community ever since.

As parents, you all obviously want the best for your children. Holy Trinity is a Professional Learning Community with an excellent reputation among Catholic schools. I can tell you firsthand that Holy Trinity is a great place to be as a pastor and an alumnus! I grew up here and graduated from Holy Trinity Catholic School (class of ’77). As a young child, I knew I not only wanted to be a priest but specifically the pastor of Holy Trinity.

I invite you all to visit and experience Holy Trinity Catholic School. Our teachers, administrators, and I look forward to meeting you. I have always considered Holy Trinity home and always will. If you are looking for a place for your family to call home, I invite you to come see us at Holy Trinity.

We look forward to meeting you.

Rev. Mark Neal
Holy Trinity Pastor

Our History

On January 21, 1922, 13 students gathered to attend school. Greeted by two Sisters of Mercy, these students became the first class of Holy Trinity Catholic School. Holy Trinity Catholic Church was only a vision formed by Bishop Thomas Drumm a year earlier. Then, a year later, a simple church was built, and the first class of Holy Trinity Catholic School began their educational journey.

Holy Trinity’s pastor, Father Francis Ostdiek, was a well-rounded individual who knew the importance of a good education. He was determined to make Holy Trinity Catholic School one of, if not the best, Catholic schools in Des Moines. Father Ostdiek was a teacher who believed there was no way to put a dollar value on a solid education. His philosophy served as the benchmark for Holy Trinity Catholic School as the years went by, and the number of students continued to increase.

The school desperately needed additional space to accommodate the growing student population in 1937. Father Ostdiek and Holy Trinity parishioners were so committed to academic excellence that they sacrificed their church building to use as classrooms. Enrollment increased to approximately 400 students, and a temporary church was built on the south side of the property. More children than ever before were blessed to receive the finest education in Des Moines.

Holy Trinity grew again in 1947! The school added six additional classrooms to the west of the current church building. In 1960, the B and C buildings were completed. The B building was originally the convent where religious sisters lived but was converted into a school space as the school grew. The C building was the upper-grade building, holding the fifth through eighth grades and the principal‘s office. The portion of the school building currently housing the gym, lunch room, media center, and middle school was completed in 1985.

Excellence in Catholic education is Holy Trinity Catholic School. Due to the ongoing dream, vision, and desire for excellence, coupled with the tremendous sacrifices of many, Holy Trinity continues today. We are proud of our history, over 100 years, as one of the premier Catholic schools in Des Moines.