Ardscoil La Salle
Raheny, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 289 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 131 girls, 158 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 60291D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ardscoil La Salle is an inclusive, progressive co‑educational secondary school that prides itself on a personalised learning environment. With a relatively small enrolment, the pupil‑to‑teacher ratio is low, ensuring that each student receives ample individual attention and that any difficulties are quickly identified and addressed. The school’s ethos, encapsulated in the motto *Ad Summum Semper* (“Always Aim Highest”), underpins a curriculum that balances rigorous academic standards with a strong emphasis on personal development and wellbeing. The school offers a broad range of extracurricular opportunities, including a vibrant media and newspaper club, a dedicated mental‑health awareness TikTok initiative, and participation in the Trinity Access Programme which cultivates student leadership. Facilities support both academic and creative pursuits, and the school’s active engagement with the DEIS programme highlights its commitment to supporting diverse learners. Regular open evenings and virtual tours allow prospective families to experience the welcoming atmosphere and modern learning spaces. Ardscoil La Salle’s strong academic track record is reflected in the fact that over two‑thirds of its recent graduates progress to third‑level education, a notable achievement for a DEIS‑designated school. The community is further enriched by a supportive parents’ association, a student council, and links to the Le Cheile Catholic Schools Trust, fostering a collaborative and nurturing environment for all students.
History
Founded 50 years ago as a boys’ school, Ardscoil La Salle became co‑educational 40 years later and has since maintained a reputation for delivering quality education within the local community. The transition to a mixed‑gender school has allowed it to serve both boys and girls, while retaining its “small school” character that promotes close relationships between staff and pupils. Over the decades the school has built a legacy of high academic achievement, with a significant proportion of its leavers advancing to third‑level study, and it now welcomes a diverse student body that includes visiting European learners.
Applying to Ardscoil La Salle
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 Ardscoil La Salle. 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 Ardscoil La Salle
How many pupils attend Ardscoil La Salle?
Ardscoil La Salle has 289 pupils enrolled, 131 girls and 158 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Ardscoil La Salle a DEIS school?
Yes. Ardscoil La Salle 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 Ardscoil La Salle?
Ardscoil La Salle has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.