St. Catherine's was founded in 1890 by Virginia Randolph Ellett during the middle of Richmond's New South movement.

In 1917, the school was incorporated and moved to its present site in the Westhampton area of Richmond.

It was sold to the Episcopal Church in 1920 and renamed for St. Catherine, the patron saint of young women, especially those undergoing education.

Since 1957, members of the graduated classes of St. Catherine's are invited to make their debut at the Bal du Bois, held annually at the Country Club of Virginia.

[4] The school has produced at least three newspapers: The Scrap Basket, Odds 'n' Ends and Arcadian.