St. Killian's Community School
Bray, Wicklow
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 427 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 168 girls, 259 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 91376L the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Kilian’s Community School is a co‑educational secondary school situated in Ballywaltrim, Bray, County Wicklow. It provides a broad, inclusive curriculum that balances academic study with a strong emphasis on extracurricular enrichment. The school runs a variety of programmes such as the Sky Sports Academy, music and cultural initiatives (including the Music Generation and annual multicultural celebrations), and the Young Social Innovators project, reflecting a commitment to developing both sporting talent and creative confidence. Recent participation in national digital‑literacy schemes demonstrates a forward‑looking approach to technology integration and resilience building. The campus includes dedicated facilities for sport and the arts, notably a sports hall, playing fields, a well‑stocked library and specialised music department. Additional support services are offered through a Guidance Team, a School Completion Programme and a range of wellbeing activities, including an annual Wellbeing Week focused on classroom health. The school also provides practical resources such as book rental, supervised study spaces and a school meals programme, ensuring a supportive environment for all learners.
History
St. Kilian's Community School began in 1981 in a Nissen hut, a converted World War II aircraft hangar near the junction of Boghall Road and Schools' Road. Representatives of the Ballywaltrim parish, including Fr. Roderick Ahearne and Sr. Eileen Randles, approached the Department of Education seeking a new second-level school. In 1981 the Franciscan and Marist Orders took on responsibility for managing the school. The school opened in September 1981 with Kevin Meehan as Principal, while J. A. ('Alf') McNamara served as Vice Principal. Some 70 First Year students were taught that year in the hut, divided into three classes by curtains. The permanent school building was occupied in 1982. By 1986, the year of its first Leaving Certificate examinations, the school had grown to around 27 classes.
Applying to St. Killian's 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 St. Killian's 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 St. Killian's Community School
How many pupils attend St. Killian's Community School?
St. Killian's Community School has 427 pupils enrolled, 168 girls and 259 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St. Killian's Community School a DEIS school?
Yes. St. Killian's 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 St. Killian's Community School?
St. Killian's Community School has an Inter Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.