With the noble vision of building a better world, St. Mary’s Convent Inter College, RDSO, Lucknow began its journey in the year 1964. It was the year when the Central Government desired to move the various components of the Railway research work to Lucknow. Bishop Conrad De Vito, the then Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Lucknow, at the request of the Ministry of Railways, invited the Sisters of the Congregation of Jesus to open an English Medium school in the colony of Research, Designs and Standard Organization that was yet to be built.

The College has come a long way since its inception in 1964, playing a stellar role in imparting quality education to create a Just Society. With the vision of spreading God’s message of Love, Peace, Unity and Brotherhood, Rev. Mother Provincial along with three Sisters Sr. Juliana, Sr. Margarita and Sr. Caritas, arrived in Lucknow on 10th August 1964.They took the bold step of initiating Santa Kumary Ramachandran and Edwin Kochitty as the first two pupils in their scholastic journey that started from a room in B-Block, R.D.S.O. Colony. The school was blessed by the Most. Rev. Conrad de Vito, the then Bishop of Lucknow. By January 1965, a total of 67 students were enrolled and the school was shifted to the bigger block, Type 5, House No. 8, R.D.S.O. With Sr. Margarita as the Principal, the school advanced slowly but steadily, adding more students on its roll till a small group of toddlers staged the first school concert on 15th October, 1965, on the terrace of Research Centre, R.D.S.O. The then Director General of R.D.S.O., Mr. Sood was the Guest of Honour. October 8th 1966 witnessed the blessing of the foundation stone of the new school building by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese, Lucknow. Mr. Sood, the then Director General, R.D.S.O. placed the mortar for the stone.

The school took another step ahead by receiving the No Objection Certificate from the U.P. Government on 25th July 1968 to use English as the Medium of Education. It was indeed a moment of pride when the School received the approval letter of affiliation from the Council for Indian School Certificate examination (CISCE) on 20th May, 1969. While the School shifted to the new building with 513 students on roll on 17th July, 1967, the Sisters shifted to a separate convent building in June, 1970. On 28th October, 1970, the first Sports Day was held with Mr. M. Srinivasan, Director General, R.D.S.O., as the Guest of Honour. In December 1970, House names, symbols and motto were selected. The first batch of students appeared in the ICSE Examination from the 3rd – 30th of January, 1972 and came out with flying colours. In July, 1972, Sr. Margarita handed over the charge to Sr. M. Genevieve, as the Principal of St. Mary’s Convent. Rapid enrolments by this time necessitated construction of the second floor of the School building which was blessed by the then Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Cecil de Sa in January 1975. The new School Auditorium was blessed by Bishop Cecil de Sa on 31st January 1979 and under the Principalship of Sr. M. Isabel, the first concert was staged on the 8th and 9th of February 1979. The Year 1975 was another milestone in the journey of exploring a progressive path. To make quality education available for the less privileged of our neighborhood, Mary Ward Junior School was begun in the same premises of St. Mary’s Convent Inter College, in a former assembly shed which was converted to four class rooms and an office. The poor children of the neighboring villages were taught during the school hours.

Every passing year kept on adding more colours to the canvas of St. Mary’s Convent. The first issue of the School magazine was published on 15th July, 1985, under the efficient guidance of Sr. Rosalia. The year 1989 marked the completion of 25 years of St. Mary’s Convent in R.D.S.O., Lucknow. The Silver jubilee witnessed a Thanks giving Mass followed by a fellowship meal for all the guests and invitees. We climbed another step up the ladder of success when in July 1989; computers were introduced as an integral part of Academics. April 10th, 1997 marked the beginning of Class 11 in St. Mary’s Convent School. In keeping with the demands of the Info-Tech world, ‘Smart Boards’ were introduced in every class room in 2011 – 12. Next was the entry of ‘e-care’, the electronic communication system that has brought the school, parents and students into a harmonious relationship of sharing and caring.

On 6th July, 2013 was a red letter day in the history of Mary Ward School as Most Rv. Dr. Gerald John Mathias, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lucknow, blessed the newly constructed Mary Ward School building with its Hi-Tech fully Air-conditioned Laboratory and a small multipurpose hall in the first floor. This well furnished school building has provided a better teaching learning atmosphere for the students of Mary Ward Junior School.

The Golden Jubilee year called for a celebration which was a momentous event. Begun in August, 2013 the celebration of the Golden Jubilee culminated in the month of November, 2014. It has been a loud expression of the glorious history of the past, the fabulous achievements of the present and the thunderous assurance of the future growth of the college.

The runway of memory reveals several junctures, several milestones, both in academic excellence and extra-curricular activities as well as building expansion, be it the Primary School building, or the impressive auditorium. Modifications in the structure were carried on from time to time. The two large playfields are always bursting with bubbling students who never tire of breaking various sports records. God’s marvelous favors accompanied us at every stage of our growth. Today St. Mary’s Convent Inter College, Lucknow, stands tall as a premiere institution of quality and a catalyst of socio- cultural, moral and religious values that constantly influence and transform the society.Generations of students who have passed through the hallowed portals of this great temple of learning bear witness to this. As we step into the 55th year of our existence on the educational map of India it is our hope that guided by the vision of our venerable Foundress Mary Ward, SMCIC family continues to play a pivotal role in social transformation, by imparting education to generations yet to come with devotion, dedication and commitment.

ALL FOR THE GREATER HOMOUR AND GLORY OF GOD