Sister Virginia Bento and the members of her council chose to establish in Warren, Bristol County because they perceived a need for a girls' high school in this area.

As a Catholic Institution, FATIMA would provide a solid academic foundation for its students in preparation for college, and help them to strengthen their faith to become Christian leaders in the tradition of St. Paula Frassinetti, foundress of the Sisters of St. Dorothy.

[2] At that time, the school building consisted of classrooms (one of which was converted into a chapel), a library, science and art laboratories, and a double room to be used for several purposes.

As a private institution, owned and operated by the Sisters of St. Dorothy, all funding for the school was provided by them.

In 1985, the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the school, and the year that the foundress of the sisters of St. Dorothy was canonized,[3] FATIMA became co-educational.