Saint Clare School is a Roman Catholic elementary school operated by Saint Clare Parish in Santa Clara, California, in the United States. It serves families of the Diocese of San Jose, from kindergarten to eighth grade.
Saint Clare School was founded in 1856 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and is located adjacent to Santa Clara University (formerly Santa Clara College).
St. Clare School is the oldest, operating primary school in Santa Clara County and is one of the oldest schools in California.
School Accreditations:
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Catholic Educational Association
1856
Saint Clare School is founded as a primary school by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur who came to create one of the earliest school systems in California. It is located next to Mission Santa Clara and the recently built Santa Clara College (1851) later known as the University of Santa Clara. The school was originally built as St. Mary's and then later Notre Dame Academy. The school started in the Forbes house located on the city block bordered by Lexington St, Santa Clara St, Lafayette St. and Washington St. The sisters also build and run a secondary school, Notre Dame High School (San Jose, California) for girls in nearby San Jose that is the sister school to Santa Clara Prep (later known as Bellarmine College Preparatory for boys).
1924
Saint Clare School moves across the street into a brand new school building that housed Kindergarten through eighth grade. A Marble Plaque on the front of the school proclaims "DEO OPTIMO MAXIMO IN HONREM SANCTAE CLARAE XXI OCTOBRIS A.D. MCMXXIV DEDICATA" which translates to "To the greatest and best God in honor of St. Clare. Dedicated October 21st, 1924."
1925
Saint Clare Parish is built on the site of the original brick school next to Sodality Hall (later renamed St Clare Hall). A fire in 1926 destroys the 96 year old Mission Santa Clara. The new parish becomes the focal point for catholic families that had been attending Mission Santa Clara.
1952
School raised $138,000 to build a new convent for the teaching sisters located across from the school at 725 Washington Street Santa Clara, CA 95050. This building is now the St. Clare Parish Offices.
1956
The School celebrates its 100th Anniversary. Ever increasing enrollment demands cause the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco to authorize the creation of nearby St. Martin School in 1955 and St. Justin School in 1958.
1958
August 7, 1958 - A new junior high school was built across Washington street from the school, next door to the St. Clare convent.
1998
Sisters transfer control of the school to lay leadership staff.
The School starts the innovative "Silver Boxes" program based on Ephesians, (4:29), "Do not use harmful words but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."
2006
The School celebrates its 150th anniversary.