Our History
St. Joseph Elementary School is one of the first three Catholic Elementary Schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The school had its beginning in 1898 when the Sisters of the Holy Name opened Holy Name Academy. The first parish school building was dedicated in 1926 and Holy Name of Academy was renamed St. Joseph Elementary School. The Sisters of the Holy Name administered the school until 1948. In that year the school was transferred to the direction of the Felician Franciscan Sisters. The Felician Franciscan Sisters directed the school until 1999 when the first lay principal was assigned.
The original school building was located on Huntington Street in Pomona. In May of 1952, the school building was dismantled, cut in half, and transported to its new location on Holt Avenue. The original building was reconstructed but is still used and houses the school office and six classrooms. Six additional classrooms were built adjacent to the original building and later an annex building with four classrooms was constructed. In mid-September 1952, the school reopened with 12 classes in session. In 1953, the school had 16 classrooms, Grades 1–8.
In 1959, with the establishment of numerous parishes and opening of various parochial schools, the Archdiocesan of Los Angeles recommended that the school be reduced to eight classes. In 1988, a Kindergarten was opened for the first time. Currently, the nine classes, Grades K – 8, average thirty-five students per class.
The 1990-1991 school year marked the opening of a science/computer lab and a new computer curriculum, along with a music classroom. Between 2001 – 2004 new curricular programs in the areas of Religion, Family Life, Reading, Math and Science have been adopted, along with new computers in the computer lab. In 2003 the school was fully accredited for a six-year term by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and by the Western Catholic Education Association.
St. Joseph Elementary School has always provided an excellent spiritual and academic preparation for all students. Our main purpose has always been to provide a Catholic Christian ministry to children. We are proud to live the reality of Jesus being the foundation of the school and the children our center and main focus. It is our prayer to continue to minister to the spiritual and academic needs of our children for many years to come.
As we progress through the 21st Century, we pray that St Joseph School will continue to be blessed with outstanding students and the Parish Community continues to support the values and ideals that make a Catholic Education an Advantage for Life.
The original school building was located on Huntington Street in Pomona. In May of 1952, the school building was dismantled, cut in half, and transported to its new location on Holt Avenue. The original building was reconstructed but is still used and houses the school office and six classrooms. Six additional classrooms were built adjacent to the original building and later an annex building with four classrooms was constructed. In mid-September 1952, the school reopened with 12 classes in session. In 1953, the school had 16 classrooms, Grades 1–8.
In 1959, with the establishment of numerous parishes and opening of various parochial schools, the Archdiocesan of Los Angeles recommended that the school be reduced to eight classes. In 1988, a Kindergarten was opened for the first time. Currently, the nine classes, Grades K – 8, average thirty-five students per class.
The 1990-1991 school year marked the opening of a science/computer lab and a new computer curriculum, along with a music classroom. Between 2001 – 2004 new curricular programs in the areas of Religion, Family Life, Reading, Math and Science have been adopted, along with new computers in the computer lab. In 2003 the school was fully accredited for a six-year term by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and by the Western Catholic Education Association.
St. Joseph Elementary School has always provided an excellent spiritual and academic preparation for all students. Our main purpose has always been to provide a Catholic Christian ministry to children. We are proud to live the reality of Jesus being the foundation of the school and the children our center and main focus. It is our prayer to continue to minister to the spiritual and academic needs of our children for many years to come.
As we progress through the 21st Century, we pray that St Joseph School will continue to be blessed with outstanding students and the Parish Community continues to support the values and ideals that make a Catholic Education an Advantage for Life.
