Bob Reddy, Florida Catholic
The start of the 2026-2027 academic year came with a few changes for the Diocese of Venice Catholic school in Ave Maria, specifically, a new name.
Ave Maria Catholic Academy is the name which replaces Rhodora J. Donahue Academy, a name held since 2009. The school’s original name was Ave Maria Grammar & Preparatory School.
When the school was acquired by the Diocese of Venice in 2018, it was decided to retain the name of Donahue Academy out of respect for Rhodora and the Donahue family, explained Dr. Marc Snyder, principal of Ave Maria Catholic Academy.
“After lengthy conversations with the Donahue family and with a desire to cement our school’s identity as a parish school within the Diocese of Venice, we decided to change our name to include “Ave Maria” once again,” Snyder said.
Originally, the school was named before becoming Rhodora J. Donahue Academy in 2009, following a generous donation from the Donahue family. In addition, school representatives wanted to ensure “Catholic” was included in the name, as it is the only Catholic school in town. The word “Academy” is a nod to Plato and his original academy, highlighting the school’s “classical nature.”
“That said, our name, once again, fully embraces Our Lady’s name, underscoring our school’s true identity as a parish, Catholic, classical school in the town of Ave Maria,” Snyder said. “The renaming of the school is done to highlight the school’s relationship with Ave Maria Parish and to reflect the school’s Catholic identity and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. As our parish community continues to grow, it is our desire that the parish school be known by its mission of providing Catholic education in our town.”
To honor the legacy of Rhodora Donahue, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and matriarch to a loving family of over 161, there is a framed photograph of Rhodora in the school’s office, as well as a picture of Rhodora and Jack.
While making a name change was not easy, as there were many who had a sentimental connection to the previous name, Snyder said “we are the same great school with the same great mission. When I took over as principal, I created a ‘hallway of school-wide pictures.’ In the first two school-wide pictures, we were listed as Ave Maria Grammar & Preparatory School. From 2009 to 2026, we were known as Rhodora J. Donahue Academy. We will now be known as Ave Maria Catholic Academy. The years we were known as Donahue Academy will not be forgotten, and we are grateful for the family’s support of the school in the early days.”
Daily Mass makes up the heart of the school. Every student in the building attends daily Mass, in which they encounter the living Jesus through the sacrament of the Eucharist. Students are afforded the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation almost daily. Each student attends religion/theology class daily, where they learn about their Catholic faith. Students encounter Christ in their teachers and each other. These encounters leave a lasting impression on the students.
The school’s renaming will not affect academics, student life, or traditions/priorities, Snyder explained. The name may have changed, but the mission remains the same.
