History of the School

St. Mary’s School opened on September 13, 1954. Bishop Hugh Donohue blessed the
school on October 10, 1954, just seven months after the project to build the school had
begun. By the 1960’s, enrollment had increased to 350 students in first through eighth
grades. Library and science programs were added, and students were playing in an inter-
school sports league.

In the 1970’s, St. Mary’s was one of the first schools in the Diocese of San Jose to utilize
educational television. Class size was decreased to maximize learning. A new grass
playing field replaced the dirt parking area. The Country Fair, a weekend-long parish and
school fund-raiser, was established as an annual event.

In the early 1980’s, a supply room/janitor closet was converted into a small computer
room. St. Mary’s became the first Catholic school in the Diocese to introduce computers
as part of the curriculum. By the mid-1980’s, a full-time computer instructor was added
to the faculty. A religion coordinator and a reading specialist were also hired. Family
Life became part of the religion curriculum.

In the spring of 1986, construction began on a multi-purpose meeting center, conference

rooms, and work and office space for the parish and school staff. The new building
officially opened in 1987. This made space available in an existing building to add a
science lab. The computer lab was doubled in size, and its program was expanded.
Spanish became a permanent part of the curriculum for all grades, and a Spanish teacher
was added to the faculty. The first school board was installed in 1986.

The 1980’s ended with a surge in enrollment. The after-school athletic program boasted
97% participation of eligible students. The extended care program (Cougar’s Corner)
began during the 1989 - 1990 school year. During the same year, a monthly second
collection for the school began, with one half of the donated money placed in an
endowment fund; the other half went to the school’s operating budget.

In the early 1990’s, enrollment was at capacity with a waiting list in most grades. The
finance committee developed a five-year budget plan. The goal for the endowment fund
was set at one million dollars; the balance in 2009 has exceeded that, which is a testament
to our financial leadership and the generosity of our parents.

The school buildings were expanded again in 1994 and 1995. School opened in the fall
of 1994 with a new and improved school library housed in the Block Building adjacent to
the school. In 1995, additional space was leased in the Block Building, for a larger
computer lab. The former computer lab became a room for Spanish classes and small
reading groups.

A new building fund was established in 1996 with the goal of acquiring the Block
Building. In July of 1996, one half of the monthly second collection was put into this
fund (instead of the endowment fund which had now reached its million dollar goal) and
the other half went directly to the operating budget. In 1998, more space was acquired in
the Block Building allowing the school to add a new science lab, a music room, and an
extra classroom. The new science lab was dedicated in the fall of 1998.

In the spring of 1999, the Sisters of the Holy Names closed Casa Maria Montessori
School, which was considered the primary kindergarten for St. Mary’s School. In order
to better serve the parish community, St. Mary’s chose to open a kindergarten the
following fall and the room was created by a remodel of the former science lab and
adjoining storage room. Due to the small size of the classroom, morning and afternoon
sessions were formed. By the fall of 2000, the kindergarten had thirty-five students split
between morning and afternoon sessions. As part of the kindergarten remodel, the eighth
grade classroom and the lockers were relocated to the opposite end of the school. New
storage for classroom and teacher supplies replaced the old locker space.

During the summer of 1999, a number of trees were removed and thinned on the
property, improving safety and giving many areas a more open look. The schoolyard was
trenched and conduit was brought over to the Block Building to allow for the connection
of the bell and alarm system. In this same trench, conduit was placed for future fiber
optic networking. All of the classrooms were retrofitted for earthquake safety. Cougar’s
Corner was retrofitted and the upper room was remodeled to serve the parish childcare
needs. A new lawn between Cougar’s Corner and the science lab gave Cougar’s children
a clean, safe area to play.

Improvements continued as awnings were added over the doors of the Block Building.
By the fall of 1999, electronic mail became the primary form of written communication
between teachers and administration. By 2000, it became an invaluable form of
communication between school and home. School technology continued to improve.

In the summer of 2000, a new primary play structure replaced the original play structure
in the primary yard. Air conditioning was added in all classrooms. In the fall of 2001,
older computers in the lab were replaced by iMacs. In addition, DNS, web, and e-mail
servers were installed to help with storage, backup, and access to the Internet.
In 2000, a parish-wide campaign for the building fund successfully met a $100,000
matching grant challenge. Because of increases in the Block Building lease and teacher
salaries, a decision was made in July 2001 that all future monies collected in the monthly
second collection for the school would go directly to the school's operating budget.

Upgrades in the summer of 2002 included Howley Hall floor refinishing, a major kitchen
remodel, major drainage repair, and new playground asphalt with striping for sports
activities.

Major improvements to technology took place in 2003. Faculty were issued and trained
to use Apple iBook laptops. Major improvements to the school infrastructure (servers,
server closet air conditioning, wireless router installations and additional power plugs)
took place to support laptops being supplied to students in the fall of 2003. That fall,
students in 5th and 6th grades were issued laptops. The 7th grade received them that
spring.

In 2003, the school established its first Schoolwide Learning Expectations. Upon input
and approval from all major stakeholders, the Schoolwide Learning Expectations were
posted in all classrooms and in other school locations. They were written in age-
appropriate language and discussed in all classrooms. Differentiated instruction met the
needs of the students. A conscious effort was made to offer student choice and allow
students to achieve at their own pace. Assessment was adjusted to meet individual needs.
Additional attention was placed in the mentoring of new teachers.

In 2006, the Block Building, currently known as 59 Victory Lane, was purchased and
partially remodeled to house the 8th grade in the former computer lab. Moving the 8th
grade allowed for the expansion of Kindergarten, allowing them to have an all –day
kindergarten until 2:00 PM. A mobile computer cart was purchased to meet the computer
needs of kindergarten – 4th grade students.

In 2008, new computers replaced those on the computer cart, and a new cart of computers
was provided specifically for 5th grade class use. Sixth through 8th grade continue to use
their own computers at school on a daily basis.

The School Board remains strong and the Parent Teacher Group continues to reach new
highs in fund raising. The school continues to monitor needs in all areas and to make
changes as needed. In general, St. Mary’s boasts of a parish school which has a proud
tradition of Christian community, Gospel service, academic excellence, and family-
centered education.