| Loretto High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 2360 El Camino Avenue Sacramento, California, 95821 United States |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Private, All-Female |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1955 |
| Closed | 2009 |
| President | Sr. Helen Timothy |
| Administrator | Mrs. Perez |
| Principal | Jocelyn Barboza |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Language | English; others offered: French, Spanish, Greek |
| Hours in school day | 7 |
| Campus | closed |
| Campus size | small |
| Color(s) | Navy, White, and Forest Green |
| Slogan | One World, One Light |
| Song | Alma Mater |
| Fight song | "Loretto Alma Mater" |
| Athletics | 11 sports |
| Mascot | Lions |
| Accreditation(s) | Western Association of Schools and Colleges [1] |
| Tuition | $15,000/year |
| Website | http://www.loretto.net |
Loretto High School was a small, Roman Catholic, college-preparatory school for young women in Sacramento, California. Although located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento the school was independent of the diocese. In 2005, Loretto High School celebrated its 50th anniversary. In June 2009, the school closed. Many students transferred to coed Christian Brothers and fellow all-girls St. Francis High School to complete their high school education, while others decided to go to public schools such as Mira Loma High School or El Camino Fundamental High School.
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The school was founded by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1955 under the leadership of Sister Nora Lowe. The campus was located at a 5-acre (20,000 m2) plot between El Camino Avenue and Bell Street in urban Sacramento.
Excerpt from Nora Lowe's 1993 speech on Mary Ward Day: "I was assigned principal at the beginning of August, 1955, to this new Loretto. I believed that the school was near completion since it was to open in September. I arrived in the middle of August to find only a foundation with the roughed-in utilities in the middle of much mud, a couple of small houses, an uncared-for orchard, and the remains of chicken coops among which many rats romped and played. I further found out that the deed for the land on which the foundation was laid could not be located. The IBVM community had sent $35,000 to get the building underway. With the help of Monsignor Kirby, chancellor of the diocese, and the diocesan lawyer, Mr. Coyle, we obtained the deed for the land. The Loretto Corporation in Chicago underwrote the loan of $90,000 which we borrowed from McMahon and Hoban in Chicago.
We opened the school year, teaching in St. Philomene Gym. There were fifty-one students and the tuition was $100 a year. How did we finance the running of the school on those meager funds? The three full time Sisters, myself, Sr. Colette Srill, and Sr. Roberta Gormaly did not receive a stipend or salary; all the money from Sr. Lucia’s music lessons at the convent came to the high school. Sr. Lucia taught choral free and we borrowed St. St. Arthur from St. Philomene’s to teach P.E. We had fund-raisers and a very active Women’s Auxiliary. All the Loretto convents in the United States and Canada sent us donations occasionally. Because of this great generosity, we were able to pay our utilities, and we paid an eighth grade boy $6.00 per week to sweep the classroom and clean the washroom.
I can’t leave the story about that first year without a word about those first fifty-one students. It has been my experience that the first year I work at a new place that God blesses me with special people, and there were so many specials in those first students. Sr. Jean Fyre was one of them. She helped me with all my office work, the bulletin boards, and even did some janitorial work—she never left school before 5:00 o’clock.
Sr. Judy Illig, too, who was so involved and even taught CCD classes and Ann Garcelon who has her own clinic in a poor area in Chicago. One medical student once said to me about Ann—I don’t want to be like Dr. Garcelon; I want to be Dr. Garcelon. And Sandy Halford, a polio victim who kept up with the others in every way. Sandy died a few years ago, but before she became ill with cancer, she had been such a success in her own CPA business. And the talents of Sally Sanford and Cathy William; whether it was for the school, the auxiliary, for TV or for the public in general. Those students expressed great delight the first time I told them that Sr. Lucia would be coming to Loretto for choral classes! I was amazed at how faithful most of the students were in completing homework assignments. Truly, they were very special people—all of them, including the ones I haven’t mentioned."
Although considered a premier high school for young women the beginning of the high school were as meager but through the strength of both the founding sisters and the associates they build community with the high school supported the growth of three generations of young women.[2]
Although the curriculum has changed over the years, the Loretto mission was always rooted in the philosophy of Mary Ward. "... to provide an outstanding college preparatory education for young women in a supportive and challenging learning environment. Inspired by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which owns and operates our school, our goal is to teach the Gospel message of Jesus Christ in the spirit of Mary Ward, founder of the Institute. We encourage and promote the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, aesthetic and physical well-being of each student in the context of community. Together with parents, the primary educators of their children, we strive to instill in each of our students an understanding of self, a knowledge of service, and a commitment to the common good of the world."
Admission to Loretto High School was selective and based on the student's previous school record, placement test, interview, recommendation, and application. Once accepted, freshmen immediately entered the challenging curriculum. Loretto operated on a trimester system, rather than a semester system. Students could take yearlong, 3-trimester classes, 2-trimester classes, or 1-trimester classes. The college-preparatory curriculum was rigorous and challenging.
ESLRs (Expected Schoolwide Learning Results)
Spiritual Development
The Loretto High School graduate:
- exhibits a moral, ethical lifestyle based on the gospel message of Jesus Christ
- exhibits knowledge and appreciation of the Catholic Faith
- respects all faiths
- expresses her spirituality through service to community
Academic Preparation
The Loretto High School graduate:
- exhibits an accumulation of skills and knowledge consistent with a college preparatory education
- demonstrates disciplined, creative, independent and critical thinking
- possesses skills and enthusiasm for life-long learning and intellectual curiosity
- communicates confidently and effectively
Personal Development
The Loretto High School graduate:
- discovers and exhibits her own voice and leadership skills
- displays awareness of her strengths, talents and values
- makes responsible choices with the respect for self, community and the world
- demonstrates concern for the common good and reverence for all life
- seeks to explore and respect diverse points of view
Physical Development
The Loretto High School graduate:
- demonstrates sound physical and mental health habits that will promote life-long productive healthy living
Aesthetic Development
The Loretto High School graduate:
- appreciates aesthetics in all forms
- discovers, develops and expresses her potential talents and abilities
College Admission 100% of Loretto graduates continue their education at either a 2-year or 4-year institution. Approximately 94% of Loretto graduates continue their education at 4-year institutions, and 6% continue at 2-year institutions.
Graduation Requirements
Theology: 10 trimesters
English: 12 trimesters
Mathematics: 9 trimesters
Social Studies: 9 trimesters
Visual and Performing Arts: 4 trimesters
Science: 9 trimesters
Physical Education: 2 trimesters
Health: 1 trimester
Computer Science: 1 trimester
Foreign Language: 6 trimesters
Electives: 15 trimesters
AP/Honors Courses
English and Literature: AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, Shakespeare Honors (1 trimester), The Poem Honors (1 trimester), The Novel Honors (1 trimester)
Foreign Language: AP French Language, Spanish 3 Honors, AP Spanish Language
Mathematics: Pre-Calculus Honors, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC
Science: Chemistry 2 Honors, Biology 2 Honors, Physics Honors
Social Studies: AP US History, Government/Economics Honors, AP World History
Theology: Honors Philosophy I - Western Traditions, Honors Philosophy II - Eastern Traditions
Loretto is a member of the California Interscholastic Federation, Sac-Joaquin Section and competes in the Capital Athletic League. The CAL is made up of the following schools: Bella Vista Broncos, Casa Roble Rams, Del Campo Cougars, El Camino Eagles, Mira Loma Matadors and the Rio Americano Raiders.
Fall Sports: volleyball, cross-country, tennis, golf, water polo
Winter Sports: basketball
Spring Sports: track & field, swimming, diving, soccer, softball
Students are required to take one year of visual or performing arts such as dance, fine arts, choir, or theater, and a one-trimester "Heritage Class" in the opposite discipline. For example, if a student is enrolled in a yearlong performing-arts class, she is later required to take a one-trimester Art History class. Likewise, if she is enrolled in a yearlong visual-arts class, she is later required to take a one-trimester Music History class. In addition to Heritage Classes, Loretto offers other one-trimester courses in music, art, dance, and theater.
Each spring, students participate in the Festival of the Arts, in which they showcase their creations and hold performances in dance, drama, and music.
Visual Arts
Loretto offers a wide array of visual arts classes such Foundations in Visual Arts, Art 1/Art 2, Ceramics 1/Ceramics 2, Drawing 1/Drawing 2, Three-Dimensional Art 1/2, Watercolor, and Advanced Art, and Advanced Studio Art
Dance
Dance classes are extremely popular at Loretto. Many girls enroll in one or three-term dance classes each year. There are three levels of dance groups: beginning (Broadway Bound Dance and a 1-trimester Dance course), intermediate (Intermediate Broadway Bound Dance), and advanced Broadway Bound Dance (Advanced Company). The dancers perform in an annual dance concert each spring, which included both company numbers and solos. The numbers are choreographed by both the students and teachers. Advanced Company performs at the homecoming rally each year.
Music
Loretto has two levels of choral ensembles: Concert Choir(beginning), and Chamber Singers(advanced). The choirs hold 2 annual concerts in December and May. In February 2009, the Loretto Chamber Singers performed at the Jammies Evening of Classical Music at the Mondavi Center at UC Davis. In addition, both choirs have sung at the State Capitol, Catholic High School Choral Festival, and various other events. In 2007 and 2009, both choirs won 1st place in their section at the Heritage Festival in Anaheim, CA. The most select vocal ensemble is the Loretto Lionettes' A Capella club, which performs at choir concerts, various events, and at the homecoming rally
Theater
Girls may take a 1-term Drama Workshop class, or enroll in a yearlong drama class. There are two levels: beginning (Theater Arts), and advanced (Advanced Drama Workshop). Each fall, Loretto holds a dramatic or musical production, and the Advanced Drama class holds An Evening of One Acts. They participate in the LENEA festival each year, and in 2009, girls won a total of 2 gold medals (out of 3 awarded gold medals), 1 silver medal, and 2 bronze medals.
In addition to standard high school activities such as sports, clubs,and student counsels. Loretto offered unique opportunities for young women to grow. This included travel abroad opportunities to Russia, France, Australia and Asia, a strong commitment to service in the community through mandatory service requirements, and participation in academic competitions.
Clubs A Capella (The Loretto Lionettes), Business and Investments, Book Club, Creative Writing Club, Domestic Divas, Ecology Club, French Club (Le Cercle Francais), Furry Friends, Med Club, Multi-Cultural Clu, b, Peace Club, Pink Ladies, Political Society, Photography, Relaxation, Shakespeare Society, Spanish Club, Spanish Conversation, Spirit and Sport, Yoga Club
State or National Organizations California Scholarship Federation (CSF), Friday Night Live, Key Club, National Honor Society (NHS), TEAMS (Test of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science)
Service Groups Recruitment Team, S.A.L.T. (Spiritually Alive Liturgy Team)
Co-Curricular Activities Mock Trial
School Activities throughout the Year
Annual Blood Drive
Baccalaureate
Big Sisters
Christmas Toy Drive
Class Retreats
Club Fair
College Tour
College Ambassador Meetings
Community Service
Dances
Dance Concert
Diaper Drive for Wellspring
Dress-for-Funds Collections
Fall Play/Musical, Spring One-Acts
Father-Daughter Dance
Festival of the Arts
Graduation
Halloween Festivities (costume contest, pumpkin-carving contest)
Homecoming Week, Rally, Collection, and Dance
Junior-Senior Luncheon
Lenten Collection
"Little Sister" Shadow Days
Liturgies and Assemblies
Locks of Love
Fashion Show
Freshman Retreat and Orientation
Frosh Unity Luncheons
Mary Ward Day
Mock Presidential Election
Mock Trial
On-the-Road Recruitment
Prom
S.A.L.T.
Senior Final Assembly
Senior Silent Retreat
Service Trip to Tijuana
Shadow Days
Sophomore Ring Ceremony
Sports
Student Appreciation Day
Teacher Appreciation Day
Trips to Europe and Foreign Countries
Yearbook
WSP Magazine Sale
Jan Scully, attorney