In 1967, the newly formed Diocese of St. Petersburg was led by Bishop Charles B. McLaughlin. He accepted the call to build a school serving the special needs community in the St. Petersburg area.
In May of 1969, ground was broken for the first phase of Morning Star School of Pinellas Park, Inc. In August of 1969, the school year began with the first six students in a temporary facility. The completed Morning Start School was dedicated on February 1, 1970 and the doors opened to receive 20 students. Thus began the ministry to meet the special educational needs of children of all faiths and backgrounds in the St. Petersburg-Tampa Bay Area.
Morning Star Residence added on the school grounds in 1975. The building is now used to house the ACE Teachers.
Morning Star begins construction on Administration Office for the school, as well as the addition of a covered walkway between buildings is completed, 1986
New Playground area installed for the students to use while still being safe on property, 2012
Two new portable buildings are brought in to house the now expanding high school program, 2014
Another playground area was installed to allow more students time to spend outside in the Florida sun, 2015
The sensory building is completed, 2018.
In 2019, plans for a new Transition Building and Achievement Center have begun, allowing students to continue their education at Morning Star after high school graduation.
In November of 2021 we broke ground for our new Transition Building and Achievement Center.
In August of 2022, we moved our high school and transition students into their new building providing a new space for our older students to call their own.