The dream of Kaplan’s first Catholic priest, Reverend August Joseph Maltrait, Pastor, from 1896 to 1921, has become a reality and stands today as a monument to the faith and devotion of Kaplan’s many Catholics. Pere Maltrait planned from the beginning, for the day when the parish could have a convent of its own to offer a Catholic Education to its youth. He acquired marshland and held it with a view to using it someday for a Catholic School. He did not live to see his dream come true, but his vision and guidance had left their mark and in 1952 a Catholic School was opened. It was named in his honor as the Maltrait Memorial School. Maltrait Memorial School opened its doors on September 2, 1952, to 81 youngsters. Classes in the first three grades were offered, but a grade was added each year until a full eight grade elementary school was in operation. Monsignor Gustave Berube’ was successful, after much effort, in persuading the order of the Grey Nuns of the Cross to come to Kaplan and operate the school. On September 8th he blessed the school. In 1955 a gymnasium was constructed, partially with lumber salvaged from the old church building. Another addition to the school was the outdoor statue of St. Dominic Savio, patron saint of school children, donated by the late Oday Vincent of Kaplan. So many wonderful improvements have been made at Maltrait Memorial School through the years. Today Maltrait has a stable enrollment in grades Pre-K through Eighth. Pre-K through Fourth grades are self-contained with the teacher conducting all academic courses and a religion teacher providing religious education on a daily basis. Fifth through Eighth grades are departmentalized including religion as a daily subject.