Founded in 1920 to educate young women, the need for a
Catholic high school in the
Fitchburg area was recognized by
Bishop Thomas Daniel Beaven, and then materialized during the pastorate of
Monsignor James J. Donnelly. The religious institute, founded by
Nano Nagle, called the
Presentation Sisters were tasked with beginning the school. In 1925, Donnelly purchased the Page Estate in Fitchburg, which became a
convent for the Sisters, and in July 1926, construction of a nearby building would become the St. Bernard's High School campus. It opened its doors on September 4, 1927, with eight Sisters assigned as instructors. In 1946, athletic venues were constructed, beginning with the football field, known as the "Bernardian Bowl." In 1964, a quarter-mile
running track was added, as well as an additional building wing containing a
cafeteria,
chapel,
classrooms,
laboratories,
library, and
offices. In 1980, the school's Activity Complex opened to contain a
gymnasiums,
locker rooms, and
offices. Originally a parish school, it was run by the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester since the 1980s. St. Bernard's High School won a bid to privatize and operate independently with a
board of trustees, as of 2020. ==Athletics==