Ardee Community School
Louth
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 1,306 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 610 girls, 696 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 91441T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ardee Community School is a co‑educational, multi‑denominational post‑primary institution that welcomes students of all abilities. Guided by a vision of equality, harmony and friendship, the school provides a broad curriculum designed to meet individual needs and to maximise each learner’s potential. The ethos promotes a safe, inclusive environment where respect, community and justice are core values, and where academic learning is complemented by a strong emphasis on sport, drama, music and other cultural activities. The school’s learning philosophy places teaching and learning at the centre of its work, seeking to create a calm, caring and creative atmosphere that supports student wellbeing and achievement. With over 1,200 pupils enrolled, the school offers a range of extra‑curricular programmes, including enterprise projects, musical productions and competitive sports, fostering personal development and community engagement alongside academic study.
History
Ardee Community School was established on 1 September 1974 following the amalgamation of three local post‑primary schools – St Anne’s Secondary School for girls, De La Salle Boys’ Secondary School and Ardee Vocational School. The original premises on the current site were purpose‑built to accommodate the new community school. It operates under the joint trusteeship of the Archdioceses of Armagh and Louth and the Louth/Meath Education and Training Board, with governance provided by a Board of Management re‑constituted every three years.
Applying to Ardee Community School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Ardee Community School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Ardee Community School
How many pupils attend Ardee Community School?
Ardee Community School has 1,306 pupils enrolled, 610 girls and 696 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Ardee Community School a DEIS school?
Yes. Ardee Community School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Ardee Community School?
Ardee Community School has an Inter Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.