About
History
Our History
HCES 70th Anniversary
When you come onto this campus there is a “feeling” that exists. A feeling that is hard to put into words. These holy grounds of Holy Comforter. That feeling? It’s love. It’s a love we all share for this school – a place we often call “Holy Comfortable.”
HCES Through the Years
1955
Church Founded
Father Frank Pisani arrived in July and envisioned a church school. A kindergarten was begun in September 1955 with 25 students and one teacher.
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1956
The opening of the HCES educational building on Miccosukee Road. -
1957
A 4-year old nursery school was added. -
1974
Under the direction of the Rev. William C. Harris, a new education wing with classrooms was built so the school could grow to minister to older children. -
1975
Rev. George D. Kontos took over as rector of the church.
1975-1979
Expansion
The school expanded to offer PK through 5th grade.
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Fall 1977
Dr. Paul “Ham” Fuller was hired to be the head of school. -
Fall 1981
The beginning of the “Alpha” program, and grades six, seven and eight extended the program into middle school. -
1983
Ham Fuller left his position to go into the seminary and Mrs. Jane Mooney assumed leadership of the school as its first Headmistress.
Spring 1986
New Changes
Due to low enrollment, the middle school closed at the end of the 1985-86 school year.
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1993-1994
Barbara Hodges, who had been teaching at the school, was named the interim head of school and subsequently invited to be the Head of School. -
May 1994
A survey was sent to current families to measure their level of support for expanding to a middle school. -
1995-1996
The Board of Trustees decide to reinstate the Middle School and to relocate and build a new campus to secure the future growth of HCES. -
April 1996
An agreement signed to purchase land on Fleischmann Road 1996. The school and church purchased an excess of 40 acres of land on nearby Fleischmann road, with an option to purchase up to 100 acres over time.
Fall 1996
Miccosukee
The 6th Grade Class begins the school year in portables on Miccosukee.
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1997
The new classroom building (known as Smith Hall) on Fleischmann Road housed sixth and seventh grades. Our iconic bell tower, connected by a columned walkway, and a field house were also completed. -
Spring 1999
Class of 1999 was the first graduating class from the Fleischmann campus. -
Spring 2000
Grades 3-5 move to the new campus as additional buildings were completed. -
Spring 2002
Entire campus located on Fleischmann for start of 2002-03 school year. in 2002, the entire school body moved to our beautiful, new campus. -
Fall 2005
Holy Comforter Church relocated to Fleischmann Road and the new building was consecrated.
May 2007
Student Center
The Student Center opened with a gym and Art and Music studios.
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May 2007
The last land acreage was purchased to bring the campus to 85 total acres. -
2009
Dr. Barbara Hodges resigned as head of school to become the Director of the Florida Council of Independent Schools in Tampa. -
2010-2011
Mrs. Nancy Wood, a former head of school in Jacksonville, became the school’s Interim Head for one year. -
July 2011
After a national search, Peter Klekamp became our Head of School.
2011
Technology
The iEducate™ program, a technology initiative, is formed to create a roadmap for 21st-century learning.
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February 2011
Six tennis courts were dedicated and the newly paved side road opened. -
August 2012
The Knight-STEM Building opens. -
February 2013 - 2015
The iEducate™ program was named an Apple Distinguished Program. The school held the designation through 2015. -
2013
Middle School moved from the traditional Science Fair model to a 5th grade & 7th grade STEM Fair. -
2013
The 1:1 technology initiative is officially launched, in which each student in 1st through 8th grades has their own device.
2015-2016
Celebration
HCES celebrated 60 years of educational excellence in the Tallahassee community.
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2015
The Media Center was remodeled and the MakerSpace, a room specifically designed as a new creative learning environment for all students, opens. -
2015
A comprehensive Master Plan was completed which outlined a multi-phase campus growth project. -
2016
The first HCES Middle School Astronaut Challenge Team was established and swept the State Championships at the first ever Middle School Astronaut Challenge held at Kennedy Space Center. -
2016
The 1st STEAM Fair was held where 5th and 7th-grade students turned the traditional science fair into an interactive, hands-on STEAM experiment. -
2017
HCES is Nationally Recognized as a leader in the field of education by the Secretary of Education of the United States.
2018
HCES broke ground on The Commons Performing Arts Center and Cafe, and the building is slated to be opened in Fall 2019.
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Fall 2019
The Commons opens featuring a performing arts center and stage, state of the art technology and a full service cafe.The Crusader Bowl is built, providing a full size field for use by our soccer and football program. The venue also features, lights and a full grass track utilized by lower and middle school athletics. -
Summer 2020
Two Sand Volleyball courts are added to enhance the athletics program and offer a space for students to continue to gather and play during the pandemic.
Fall 2021
Celebrated 25 years on Fleischmann Road and the completion of the PK3 - 8th grade campus
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2022
2022 - Developed “The Bridge” Strategic Plan which established core values and a new mission statement. -
2024
Launched the 70th Anniversary Capital Campaign with various naming opportunities across campus as a nod to past donors and a look to the future of HCES. The campaign raises funds for a collegiate 8-lane track.
Holy Comforter Episcopal School is a top-rated private, Episcopal, coed school for PreK-8th Grade students located in Tallahassee, Florida.
