The School of the Month for September is St. Junipero Serra Catholic School
Siempre Adelante – Always Forward. These words are what inspired a group of concerned parents to approach their Pastors over 20 years ago about the feasibility of establishing a much-needed Catholic elementary school for their children in South Orange County. Their commitment and determination resulted in the doors opening to 250 students in September of 1995. St. Junipero Serra Catholic School now serves 1,000 students from preschool through eighth grade, and remains a leading, Catholic faith-based school in the Diocese of Orange. Today, SJSC parents remain at the very heart of the school just as they did 23 years ago. Many gifted parents and grandparents give so generously of their time and talent for the benefit of the students and the future of SJSC.
St. Junipero Serra Catholic School seeks to provide students with a moral center, a virtues-based education, and a challenging curriculum for all types of learners, nurturing curiosity and inspiring the love of learning through innovation, investigation, and imagination. As the largest elementary school in the Diocese of Orange, SJSC offers the opportunities for students to thrive, whether in athletics, academics, community service or faith formation. However, what St. Junipero Serra Catholic School is most proud of is the “small school” sense of community that is prevalent in the classroom, on the playground, at school Mass, fundraising functions, sporting events, and anywhere SJSC students, parents and staff come together. It is a community filled with the loving charism of Christ, which is taught to the students and reflected in all aspects of the school’s life.
Today, St. Junipero Serra Catholic School maintains to live by Siempre Adelante… Always Forward. SJSC continues to grow and anxiously awaits the completion of the sacred Chapel that will bring the Blessed Sacrament to the campus along with a Student Creation Center (STEAM education and the Arts education), administration wing and parent hub. This project will complete the final phase of the school’s permanent structure development. A groundbreaking ceremony was celebrated by the Most Reverend Bishop Kevin W. Vann of the Diocese of Orange on Monday, April 3, 2017. The final phase of development is expected to be completed in the summer of 2018, with the dedication of the Chapel October 6, 2018.
Learn more about St. Junipero Serra Catholic School by attending one of their Meet & Greet or Open House events or visit www.Serraschool.org. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram. To schedule a tour of our beautiful 10-acre campus, contact Shirley Merchant at [email protected], (949) 888-1990 ext. 123.