The inception of St. Matthew Parochial School began in 1863 when Mrs. Julia W. Dabbs and Miss K. Moran conducted the first denominational school in Monroe. In 1866 the Daughters of the Cross from St. Vincent's Convent in Shreveport, Louisiana, took charge of the Catholic School in Monroe and started St. Hyacinth's Academy. In 1881 the Daughters of the Cross purchased the two buildings adjoining St. Hyacinth's Academy. This purchase enabled them to admit several boarding pupils and to open a class for boys. In 1898 plans were made for a new church and convent. The present location was not desirable; the parish jail was located on the same block; and again, the place was too small. Accordingly, the Garrett property on Jackson street was bought as the best place available to build the new church and convent. At the same time, the city was making elaborate preparations to erect a public school building. Because this school was on the same block as the Catholic Church and Convent, the city officials expressed the desire to buy the lots on which the old church and convent stood, with the condition that the property be released to them in six months. The Sisters objected strongly to this arraignment. They wanted time to put up their new building for which plans had already been prepared, but they were pressured, and they were compelled to yield. The sacrifice demanded of the Sisters was great indeed, but like true Daughter of the Cross, they embraced the cross presented to them by the hand of God. The hall of the Young Catholic Friend's Association was a one story framed building that was sufficiently large enough to be divided into three classrooms. The hall was moved to the Garret property. High pillars were built to receive it, so in bad weather, the children would have a place to play during recess hours. This was in May of 1899. The work of moving the building began on the second of the month, and it was June 15 before the Sisters could say they were home at last. How they managed to keep up the school and prepare usual exercises for the closing of school is truly a mystery. As time passed by, it became more evident that the old buildings on which so much money had been spent were inadequate for the fast increasing attendance, so in 1897, a new building was erected. As the years rolled by, the attendance at St. Hyacinth's increased steadily. The zealous pastor, the Very Reverend N.F. Vandegaer, and his energetic assistant, Rev. Marsh, realized the necessity of a parochial school and began to devise means to carry out this great undertaking. The place of the parochial school was naturally near the parish church by St. Hyacinth's Academy. The Daughters of the Cross were ready to give a helping hand by selling to St. Matthew congregation their property then worth at least $60,000.00 for only $8,000.00. In 1923 the ownership of St. Hyacinth Academy was transferred to St. Matthew and the school was renamed for the Parish (St. Matthew), with sisters of the Daughters of the Cross remaining on staff. These Sisters regarded not the material side of the deal, for they knew that they were furthering a good cause, investing their funds in unfailing securities.

The corner stone of St. Matthew Parochial School was blessed on May 10, 1928. The Bishop of Alexandria, Bishop Van de Ven, was present for the laying of the Cornerstone for St. Matthew Parochial School. The event was held at 3:00 P.M. at the school on May 10, 1928. The stone was placed in the center of the tall balustrade that formed a support for the entrance. A copper box that contained students names, various photographs and other items of interest was placed in the stone. A class of two hundred was confirmed that same morning at St. Matthew Catholic Church; it was one of the most impressive of services of this nature in the history of the church in this area. There were talks by Rev. N.F. Vandegaer, Right Revered Cornelius Van de Ven, (Bishop of the Alexandria Diocese), and Mayor Arnold Bernstein. Reverend Vandegaer stated: AWe are not here today to voice opposition to the public school system of the city or parish, we are here to endeavor to cement the ties that bind us to the community, to the State, the city and Parish.@ The work on the three story brick building progressed rapidly with the supervision of Father Marsh. By September the building was completed. St. Matthew Parochial School was solemnly dedicated on September 16, 1928, by the Most Reverend Cornelius Van de Van, Bishop of the Diocese. St. Matthew new Parochial School opened its doors for the first session on September 17, 1928, with Sister Eugenia (Daughter of the Cross) as its Superior, and Sister Stanislaus as principal of the high school. There were twelve teaching Sisters (Daughters of the Cross) and one lay-teacher, Miss Ann Moran, of Shreveport, Louisiana. The total enrollment was 412. Approximately 100 of these were high school pupils.

In 1961 the elementary grades moved to Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, where Sisters from the Daughters of the Cross continued to instruct. Later, in 1964, the high school students were transferred to the newly developed St. Frederick High School. The traditions of the Sisters of the Daughters of the Cross in the Monroe area came to an end after more than a century of building Catholic schools and educating the area children. In 1997 the Daughters of the Cross made the difficult decision to end their ministry because of ever dwindling numbers in their order.

The parochial or Catholic school as a distinct institution of learning is often misunderstood. Catholics operate their parochial or religious schools because they are firmly convinced that Religion should be given a place in the education of youth. They are of many convictions. First, a child should be made to know and practice religion every day of their life. Second, the child's mind should grow in the knowledge of God and His laws just as it does in the knowledge of nature and its laws. Third, the child should know and admire the superb character of Jesus, as well as that of the great heroes of ancient and modern times. Fourth, the child should have daily contact with religion.