About Our School
St. Mel
Catholic School opened its door on September 8, 1959 under the direction of
six-Sisters of Mercy of Doon from Ireland.
In the beginning, students were enrolled in grades first through fifth
and Sister Mary DePazzi was the principal and Mother Superior. Over the next three years, grades six, seven,
and eight were added. In June, 1963, St.
Mel School celebrated its first graduation with 39-graduates! Since then we have added Kindergarten in 1983,
and Transitional Kindergarten in 2004. The
Extension Program opened in 1998 serving the needs of busy families. Our licensed (Lic.#:343622734) preschool opened its doors in December, 2019 serving 3 to 4 year old children.
Throughout
the years, the values of the Sisters of Mercy remain a vital force in the
implementation of Gospel teachings. St.
Mel Catholic School continues this proud tradition of “Integrating Faith with
Academic Excellence”.
The Western
Accreditation of Schools & Colleges (WASC), and the Western Catholic
Education Association (WCEA), was awarded St. Mel School with the highest
rating possible. As you can see, your
child enters a school where academic excellence is part of the culture and
respect for the “whole child” is nurtured.
We are
pleased to offer a school with a wide-range academic program. We integrate a
variety of enrichment classes including art, music, physical education, Spanish (Rosetta Stone) and technology programs. Our Technology Plan has provided integrated use of
computer technology in our classrooms with SmartTVs, I-pads, and a fully
equipped Technology Lab. Religion is the
cornerstone of our school, and is experienced throughout the school day.
Since 1990,
the school has been under the leadership of Mrs. Janet Nagel. She works in tandem with our Pastor, Fr.
Aldrin Basarte, and with many visionary leaders as they continue to bring this
excellent Catholic education to our students now and in the future.
St. Mel
School is a close-knit community dedicated to providing an education steeped in
Catholic identity and tradition. We have
a dedicated faculty and staff, active parent associations and generations of
loyal alumni, many of whom are parents of current students.
The majority
of Saint Mel School graduates enter honors or college preparatory courses at
Jesuit High School, St. Francis High School and Christian Brothers High
School. Most continue on to colleges and
universities. We are blessed to
contribute to their intellectual and spiritual growth.
We are dedicated to
providing an education grounded in the Catholic tradition. We look forward to welcoming you to the St.
Mel family!
