In 1943, Father Roach, Pastor of St. Jerome's Church, realized the need for a parochial school. Many were the reports he was receiving from parishioners relative to the overcrowded conditions at both Holy Redeemer and St. James Schools. The time was approaching when these schools could accept only pupils from their own boundaries. Father Roach took stock of his possessions. The only available building that could be put into immediate use was the old church hall. The heavy slate roof was bearing down upon the walls. The years had taken their toll and the walls had spread about a foot at each joint from constant pressure. However, and expert engineer salvaged the sagging building and put it in perhaps a better condition than it was when first built. The side walls were tied with bolts, cross beams and bars, thus eliminating the danger of collapse. The central pipeless furnace, which originally had only one center heat duct, was converted by means of a blower to force air through pipes in order to heat the three classrooms into which the hall was partitioned. Running water was installed and St. Jerome's School was ready to open with three grades on October 26, 1943.

Because the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur had given their services for the Sunday school as far back as 1914, Father Roach asked this order to teach in his newly established school. Two sisters traveled by bus from Ilchester, Maryland each day until several months later they took up residence at Trinity College, from which they were transported by private car. Because both of these sisters were supervisors in the order, they were able to teach all three grades, with one having the first grade while the other taught both second and third.

With a temporary school thus established, Father Roach began to cast his eye about Hyattsville for a suitable location on which to build. He attempted to procure the land behind the Hyattsville Armory, but without success. The ideal place, of course, was the property closest to the church, known as Ravenswood, which was located directly across the street from the parish buildings.

Ravenswood had changed hands many times during the days of the Tierney family, when Father Heath was in the parish. Once during his tenure, when it was for sale, Father Heath had suggested to Cardinal Gibbons that the parish purchase it. Despite being a man of great vision, the Cardinal could see no future for Hyattsville at that time. Consequently, permission was withheld.

At this date, Ravenswood was owned by H. Winship Wheatley, Sr., one of St. Jerome's most loyal parishioners. Both Fathers Carey and Prosise had approached Mr. Wheatley with reference to purchasing the property, but as it was his family's home, he had no desire to move at that time. When Father Roach spoke to Mr. Wheatley regarding the purchase, he secured the promise that when Mr. Wheatley was ready to sell, St. Jerome's would get first consideration. In 1944, Mr. Wheatley informed Father Roach that he had been given an offer for Ravenswood, whereupon Father Roach responded that he would like to secure the property for the church. After some conversation between Father Roach and Mr. and Mrs. Wheatley, an agreement was reached and the property, including five and a half acres, was sold to the church. Thus, the possession of historic Ravenswood made possible St. Jerome's taking its place as one of the leading parishes in the Archdiocese. Ravenswood was one of the oldest homes in Hyattsville, dating back to colonial days. It was built with bricks brought from England, and the old wood joists, hewed and shaped with an axe, were evidence of its great age. An old cistern uncovered on the property by Mr. Wheatley also indicated the antiquity of the premises. Originally, the property extended as far east as the railroad tracks. No time was lost in making the repairs necessary to convert it into a convent for the sisters. The two parlors made fine classrooms for use until the school was built.

It was the pleasure of the newly-appointed Father Hughes to be one of the assisting officials at the ground breaking ceremonies for the new school, which took place on July 15, 1945. Many were the difficulties encountered in building the school. Prior to the joyous occasion of ground-breaking, there had been many months of wrangling with officials of the War Production Board, which controlled all building during these critical war years when materials were so vitally needed for defense purposes. This agency had a regulation, which permitted material to be used for the improvement of existing property, but it did not sanction new construction. Father Roach had several meetings with officials in which he explained the crowded conditions of his school, both in the old church and in the convent, and even showed photographs to back up his arguments. He did not secure permission to build, however, until the men came to St. Jerome's themselves and saw the vital necessity for a new school building, particularly since all public schools in Hyattsville were crowded to capacity. Permission was first granted to build a school with only four classrooms, but when it was pointed out that it would mean double expense to enlarge the school later, permission was finally given to build eight classrooms, but no cafeteria or auditorium.

Providence intervened before the school was completed by bringing an end to the war so that all bans on building material and construction were lifted. A cafeteria and auditorium could now be included in the school. The country entered upon an era of shortages in materials of all kinds and this, along with labor shortages, constituted no small problem. Bricks, especially, were very scarce, but due to Father Roach's business acumen, they were finally secured and the school was completed at a cost of $321,000.

It represented the very latest in architecture, situated on a lofty knoll in midtown. Its commanding height and lines of graceful beauty attracted the attention of those approaching the city from all directions. The building was planned not only with an eye toward economy in cost, but also economy in maintenance. The exterior of the L-shaped, fire-proof structure is of sand-finished colonial brick throughout, with ornamental cast-stone grill facading. Majestic black columns grace the entrance to the auditorium, which accommodated 750 people and was fully equipped with the most modern lighting facilities. With a minimum of effort, it was converted into a regulation-sized gym. Each of the classrooms is completely outfitted with built-in bookcases and coat closets and the flooring throughout was asphalt tile. The lower half of the corridor walls is completely tiled. Below the auditorium at street level are the kitchen and a cafeteria adequate to serve 500 at one sitting.

The school enrollment was mounting with each new semester and the handsome new school was already suffering growing pains. The classrooms in the old church were, again, put into use and a third floor was added to the two-story wing of the school so that sixteen classrooms were now being used for the eight grades with an enrollment nearing the thousand mark. The parlors of the former convent were now put to use to accommodate another new feature at St. Jerome's - the Kindergarten, which was opened in 1951.

During the next two decades enrollment fluctuated in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese and throughout the country. It was a difficult time, and many schools began downsizing, but beginning in 1977, after declining enrollment leveled off, St. Jerome's School began its growth process once again. It was necessary to begin changing the single classes, then in grades 1, 2, and 3, to double grades as the enrollment continued to grow. As St. Jerome's progressed, so did its academic programs. In 1981, an Early Childhood Program was initiated for 4 and 5-year old children, one of the few at that time in the Archdiocese.

In 1982, the old "Blue Room" was renovated to make room for the new Computer/Media Center and Library. A new Child Center was added in the convent in 1985 for 2-4 year olds. Several years later, an infant room became part of the Child Center, which now cares for children aged 6 weeks to 4 years old. The St. Jerome School population has remained stable, and is one of the largest in the Archdiocese.

The need for the grade school has proven itself throughout the years. Thousands of children have graduated from St. Jerome's School with the solid academic foundation that they received from the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the countless number of dedicated lay teachers who have served over the years.