Saint Anne School
History
Saint Anne School was founded by the Holy Name Sisters in 1908. The school opened its doors to fifty-five children on September 7th of that year. The school and parish were founded under the auspices of St. Monica Church to serve the largely migrant farm-workers in the community. The handwritten record kept by the early Sisters recalls celebrating Mexican Independence Day with the children on September 16, 1908 with Muscat grapes and a basket of candy.
The school has always maintained the policy established by the Holy Name Sisters of exercising a preferential option for the poor. The school is proud of its rich Latino heritage but also that Saint Anne School proved to be a community welcoming people of all backgrounds. Migrant farmer-workers from Mexico worked side by side with those from Oklahoma and the Southern states as their children studied together in the school.
The school flourished for the most part until the Northridge Earthquake of 1992 when the buildings were badly damaged and “red-flagged”. As a result classes were conducted for a year in makeshift classrooms in the yard, the hall and even in the open air under the pavilion.
Thus began a period of serious decline at Saint Anne School. The last of the Holy Name Sisters left in 1995 and the school had five more principals until June of 1999.
On July 1, 1999 a new principal and pastor were appointed. School registration was down to just fifty one students and finances were bleak. The school was earmarked for closure. With Herculean effort in recruitment the school re-opened in September 1999 with one hundred forty one students. Over the next eight years enrollment continued to grow leveling off around two hundred and fifteen students. Through hard work, a committed administration, a much improved new staff, establishing a positive reputation, and establishing strong partnerships within the community, the school continues to develop and flourish.
At Saint Anne school we are particularly proud of the family environment and strong sense of community. We have many two, three and even four generation families within our school. This is embodied in our current boy’s sports team’s coach who is not only a graduate but coached his first team here at Saint Anne School in 1943. He is currently coaching grandchildren of some of his previous students.
In February of 2006 the Saint Anne School Support Council (SASSC) was formed. This group is composed of administrators and parents from Saint Anne School, alumni, representatives from various private schools on the West-side of Los Angeles, as well as representatives from other local business institutions. Since its inception, SASSC has raised over $700,000 for Saint Anne School.