6025 Monte Vista St.
Los Angeles Ca, 90042

SCHOOL: (323) 255-6456
FAX: (323) 255-0959

School History

For several years before the construction of a parish, the Catholic families from Highland Park attended Mass on Sunday morning in the home of a priest who was in California for his health. It was not until 1911, when the Jesuits opened Saint Vincent's High School and College, which later became Loyola University, that a parish was finally erected for this area. Reverend Father R. Gleason, S.J., the Principal of the school, also became Pastor of the parish. In 1914, the Jesuits moved to a new site on Venice Boulevard, and Reverend Father Thomas O'Regan was appointed Pastor. It was he who built the first church and parish house.

In 1918 Reverend Jeremiah Burke was appointed Pastor. It was he who planned and built Saint Ignatius School. Prior to this, catechism classes were taught by the Dominican Sisters living at Sacred Heart Convent. By 1921 a new parochial school was under construction and Father Burke asked the Dominican Sisters to staff it.

On September 5, 1922, Saint Ignatius School opened its doors to 127 pupils. Sister Frances Dunne, O.P. was appointed the first Principal. The school grew rapidly, and within the first two years, the number of pupils nearly doubled. As the district around the school continued to expand, so did the school. In 1928, 296 pupils were enrolled on the first day; in 1937 the registration was 414, and in 1944 there were 432 students in attendance at Saint Ignatius School.

Although Saint Ignatius School was a well-equipped building from the beginning, it lacked an auditorium. School entertainment was held either at the Ebell Clubhouse, in the school yard when weather permitted, or in two of the classrooms which were separated by folding doors so as to open into one large room. In 1938 a parish auditorium was build.

Once again, in 1960, building had to be undertaken. In order to comply with Government regulations regarding earthquake-proof buildings. The old school was torn down and a new building erected under the direction of Reverend Father T. Francis O'Carroll, Pastor, and Sister M. Amabilis, OP, Principal. During this time classes were held in the parish hall which had been partitioned off for that purpose.

Shortly after this, it was decided to increase the school to 16 classrooms. This necessitated the demolition of the parish hall in order to construct the additional 8 rooms on that spot. Before the 16 rooms were completed, Sister Carmel Marie Silva, OP, Principal, received a directive from the archdiocese ordering a decrease in enrollment. By June of 1977, the school occupied only eight classrooms. The additional rooms were used for a library, a S.R.E. Office, a music room and a large meeting room.

In 1976, Reverend Father John Acton, commenced work on the new Parish Hall and Kitchen. This latest addition to the property was dedicated in October, 1977, by the Most Reverend Father Thaddeus Shubsda.

Sister Mara Anne Palomares, OP succeeded Sister Carmel Marie Silva, OP in 1977 as Principal.

The first Kindergarten class opened in 1977 with two sessions of twenty students each. Our Kindergarten was expanded to a full day with 35 students in 1989.

Then Monsignor Alfred Hernandez was appointed pastor in 1978.

In 1980, Sister Mara Anne Palomares, OP was able to acquire the services of the ECIA Chapter I program for the school. At the present time, 150 students are benefiting from this program.

In 1988, Sister Suzanne Marie Prows, OP was appointed Principal to succeed Sister Mara Anne Palomares, OP

The services of Outreach Concern Counseling, a Catholic agency, were engaged in 1991. Through this on-site program, many of our children and families are able to receive counseling and testing services at no cost to them.

In the fall of 1993, a Before and After School Extended Child Care Program was begun. A $6,000 Federal Grant was received to purchase needed furniture and learning materials for this program. Presently 50 children use this program on a regular basis and 30 children "drop" in as extended care is needed. In 1997, the program was taken over by the Archdiocesan Adeste Program.

Sister Mary Menegatti succeeded Sister Suzanne Marie Prows as Principal of the school on August 1, 1994.

In the summer of 1995, at a major two week meeting, the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose unanimously agreed to give more support to our Dominican schools located in the inner city by establishing regional development offices at three sites: San Francisco's Mission District, East Los Angeles and South Central Los Angeles. In December 1996, the East Los Angeles Development Office was established at St. Ignatius School. The development director draws community and wide public support for each of these schools, thus ensuring their financial stability and providing a growth and vision for these schools. Expanded curricula, technology, and special programs will better prepare our students for a productive future. Increased tuition assistance will enable more children from these communities to avail themselves of quality Catholic education.

In the l995/96 school year a group of Grandfathers became known as the "Grandfathers Club"
and through their hard work and expertise provided free repairs and needed maintenance for
the school.

In December, l996 Monsignor Alfred Hernandez retired . Fr. Arturo Velasco assumed his duties as the new Pastor of St. Ignatius in January l997.

In October,1996 St. Ignatius welcomed families, friends alumni and dignitaries to the celebration of the school's 75th birthday in a special opening Mass. There were activities throughout the year in hour of the milestone and a special 75th mural was painted in the school yard. The school received many commendations from local, state, and national leaders.

In Feb. 1997, St. Ignatius added the ADESTE Program to the school offerings.
During the l997/98 school year St. Ignatius' development efforts through the Vision of Hope Program brought grants totaling over $50,000 and continues to garner support from foundations, past graduates and local businesses.

In October of the l998/99 school year, the first Advisory Board of St. Ignatius met in order to continue to develop support for the many important programs that St. Ignatius envisions as we prepare for the year 2,000. In the spring of 99 the school was able to be wired with wireless technology and the computer lab was updated with 16 new computers, server and hub with internet installed in July of 99.

Saint Ignatius School has a present enrollment of 311 students. The majority of our students are members of Saint Ignatius Parish. Most are of Hispanic descent; however, there is a growing number of Filipino children within our school.

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SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS: (MONDAY - FRIDAY) 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

. (Note: The addresses and phone numbers of the lay staff or our families may never be given out to anyone.)

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Daily School Schedule:K-8

Kindergarten schedule

The kindergarten schedule is the same as above except:

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ADMINISTRATION

STAFF

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MISSION STATEMENT

St. Ignatius Catholic Elementary School, located in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles offers a program which is permeated by Gospel values through a curriculum that develops the spiritual, intellectual, moral and physical needs of the child in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. While recognizing individual differences, we strive to provide a high standard of performance so that each child can reach his/her full potential.

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PHILOSOPHY

We, at St. Ignatius, endeavor to integrate the curriculum and environment with the person and values of Jesus Christ in developing the whole child. Recognizing parents as the primary educators of their children, we assist them in their role in teaching and guiding their children to live their Catholic faith. Within this environment, enriched with a strong academic program and gospel values, we provide a curriculum that lays a foundation and develops the necessary skills to be active as well as productive members of society.

STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICERS

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