Athboy Community School
Meath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 681 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 300 girls, 381 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 91517D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Athboy Community School is a co‑educational secondary school situated on Kells Road in Athboy, County Meath. The school’s ethos is built around the core values of Care, Inclusion, Safety, Creativity and Respect, which are woven into every aspect of school life. It offers an innovative and diverse curriculum that challenges learners to reach their full academic, personal and social potential, while fostering a safe, caring and culturally rich environment. The school places a strong emphasis on wellbeing, providing dedicated support for students with additional educational needs, including specialist ASD classes and a Nurture Classroom. The campus features modern sporting facilities such as hard courts, as well as specialised learning spaces for STEM, junior cycle, transition year and senior cycle programmes. A wide range of extra‑curricular activities, from sports to creative arts, complement the academic offering, encouraging students to develop confidence, teamwork and leadership skills. The school’s commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in its sustained growth and investment in state‑of‑the‑art resources that support a vibrant, inclusive community of learners.
History
Athboy Community School was created in 2004 through the amalgamation of St. James’ Vocational School and St. Joseph’s Secondary School. The new campus was officially opened by President Michael Higgins on 16 March 2012. The school is jointly trusteeship of the Meath Diocese and the Louth Meath Education and Training Board. Its first principal, Anthony Leavy, retired in 2023.
Applying to Athboy 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 Athboy 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 Athboy Community School
How many pupils attend Athboy Community School?
Athboy Community School has 681 pupils enrolled, 300 girls and 381 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Athboy Community School a DEIS school?
No. Athboy Community School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Athboy Community School?
Athboy Community School has an Inter Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.