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Mount Carmel High School

Profile for this school has been created by School Parents and Volunteers (School Well-wisher)

About Us (History of Mount Carmel School)
The First World War fell as a death knell to the little school of Mount Carmel, Ahmedabad. With great tenderness and love the German nuns tilled and nurturedthis little school,but were compelled to abandon this place on the dawn of 1915, back to their native land. The school, left in the lurch and almost orphaned, was salvaged by the Parish and was run only for eight to redeem the prestige of the school, should it soon go into oblivion. So was the will of the Lord, that the Apostolic Carmel Sisters held this Little school of Mount Carmel Ahmedabad in the palm of their hands. They created one more abode for the Lord in North India, on January 23rd 1923.

Sisters Xavier, Marianne and Angelica who joined the community on 28th January 1923 were to take charge of the school. The pioneers had hard spadework to do in those early, transitional days; for the teaching members, including the superior, it was a big project, but they bravely shouldered the entire responsibility of the newborn Mount Carmel School and soon got into good stride.

In June 1924 a small boarding establishment came into being as feeder to the existing school. All the people around were well disposed towards the school. As the numbers in the school increased by leaps and bounds it was found advisable to open Std. V. But the Education Department came in the way of opening Std. V although up to 1922 the class existed. Finally in October 1926 after a lot of tension and trouble and prayers the glad tidings of the opening of Std. V came as a ray of sunshine. The Educational authorities greatly recommended the work of the school.

In1932 during Mother Carola’s time it seemed to be the dark ages for the school. Due to incorrect data of the previous inspector, the recognition of Std. V was withdrawn from June 1933 to 1934 but every cloud has a silver lining. In 1935 June Std. V was reopened after the big success of the Inspection and the year was crowned by the holding of the First Parents’ Day and prize distribution. The silver lining of 1935 had its eclipse and a complete one at that when the sisters were asked to shift to another place in favour of the rightful claimants – the Jesuit Missionaries who were going to start a school for the boys. House hunting was taken on by Mother Xavier with Ms. Tamna (a loyal teacher) and Mr. Lobo. The Jesuits helped the sisters to spot a place at Shahibaug. On 1st June 1935 the school was shifted to Shahibaug. By 4th June everything was in place which brought a lot of joy to every heart. School reopened on 11th June. Mr. Bhumgara a Parsee gentleman helped to make convenient bus arrangements for the children coming from the city, the bus provided a joyride for the children.

In1932 during Mother Carola’s time it seemed to be the dark ages for the school. Due to incorrect data of the previous inspector, the recognition of Std. V was withdrawn from June 1933 to 1934 but every cloud has a silver lining. In 1935 June Std. V was reopened after the big success of the Inspection and the year was crowned by the holding of the First Parents’ Day and prize distribution. The silver lining of 1935 had its eclipse and a complete one at that when the sisters were asked to shift to another place in favour of the rightful claimants – the Jesuit Missionaries who were going to start a school for the boys. House hunting was taken on by Mother Xavier with Ms. Tamna (a loyal teacher) and Mr. Lobo. The Jesuits helped the sisters to spot a place at Shahibaug. On 1st June 1935 the school was shifted to Shahibaug. By 4th June everything was in place which brought a lot of joy to every heart. School reopened on 11th June. Mr. Bhumgara a Parsee gentleman helped to make convenient bus arrangements for the children coming from the city, the bus provided a joyride for the children.

The foundation stone was laid on 10th April 1939 by Rev. Fr. J. Villalonga, Thanks to the energetic contractor and his devoted assistants. The building sprang up almost like La Fontainis “Dream Castle” in the very same year. On 20th December it was blessed and made habitable by Fr. J. Villalonga. Her Excellency Lady Lumley, wife of the Governor of Bombay inaugurated this edifice of learning. The third and final shift took place on 23rd December 1939.

The majestic building did not mean the end of problems. Students were not allowed permission to the Matriculation exam, unless they had attended the matriculation class of one or more recognised schools for not less than 110 days in the aggregate school year and unless they produced satisfactory testimonials. Rev. Fr. Villalonga once again came to the aid of the sisters. In 1938, the Matric class was to be opened at St. Xavier’s (Mirzapur) where Sr. Joan and Sr. Maria along with their Maths master conducted the class. They achieved cent percent results. The second batch appeared in 1940 from MCC, Navrangpura – results – cent percent. After Miss. Khandwala’s inspection she recommended the school recognition for five years.