The parish school was established in 1859 in a frame building that was first used as the parish rectory.
This building was enlarged for more classroom space and for living quarters for the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary who began teaching in the school in 1861.
In the school's early years there was usually a layman who taught the older boys in addition to the Sisters.
Among them was M.V. Gannon who would go on to become an attorney of some merit.
A new brick school building was built between 1870–71.

In September 1882 Bishop McMullen established St. Ambrose Seminary and Academy, now known as St. Ambrose University, using two classrooms at St Margaret's School.
He assigned the Rev. A.J. Schulte, St. Margaret's assistant pastor, as the school's first president and instructor of the classics.
St. Ambrose moved to its current location on Locust Street in 1885.

During Father Davis' pastorate, a high school program for girls was begun and lasted for about ten years.
Most of the girls spent a year or two in the program before they dropped out and went to work.
The first two girls who completed the four-year course graduated in 1902.
The Rev. John Flannagan discontinued the high school program when he was the pastor because of his ties with Immaculate Conception Academy.

The third school building was constructed in 1914 for $104,093.44.
Bishop Davis dedicated the building on January 17, 1915.
It was designed by Davenport architect Arthur Ebeling.
During the pastorate of Msgr.
Marvin Mottet in the 1990s the parish school merged with St. Alphonsus School in the west end for several years and formed John Paul Academy.
Both parishes then continued to sponsor their own schools until 2004 when it was no longer feasible to operate separate schools.
Once again the parishes joined together and with Holy Family School in central Davenport to form All Saints School.
The former Holy Family School building was used by the school.
Parish-based religious education classes were held in the Sacred Heart School building until it was torn down in the summer of 2017.
A ceremony was held before the demolition.
The parish school was established in 1859 in a frame building that was first used as the parish rectory. This building was enlarged for more classroom space and for living quarters for the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary who began teaching in the school in 1861. In the school's early years there was usually a layman who taught the older boys in addition to the Sisters. Among them was M.V. Gannon who would go on to become an attorney of some merit. A new brick school building was built between 1870–71.
In September 1882 Bishop McMullen established St. Ambrose Seminary and Academy, now known as St. Ambrose University, using two classrooms at St Margaret's School. He assigned the Rev. A.J. Schulte, St. Margaret's assistant pastor, as the school's first president and instructor of the classics. St. Ambrose moved to its current location on Locust Street in 1885.
During Father Davis' pastorate, a high school program for girls was begun and lasted for about ten years. Most of the girls spent a year or two in the program before they dropped out and went to work. The first two girls who completed the four-year course graduated in 1902. The Rev. John Flannagan discontinued the high school program when he was the pastor because of his ties with Immaculate Conception Academy.
The third school building was constructed in 1914 for $104,093.44. Bishop Davis dedicated the building on January 17, 1915. It was designed by Davenport architect Arthur Ebeling. During the pastorate of Msgr. Marvin Mottet in the 1990s the parish school merged with St. Alphonsus School in the west end for several years and formed John Paul Academy. Both parishes then continued to sponsor their own schools until 2004 when it was no longer feasible to operate separate schools. Once again the parishes joined together and with Holy Family School in central Davenport to form All Saints School. The former Holy Family School building was used by the school. Parish-based religious education classes were held in the Sacred Heart School building until it was torn down in the summer of 2017. A ceremony was held before the demolition.
Sacred Heart Cathedral (Davenport, Iowa)