Welcome

Saint Anne School

History of the School

(Click on links for more information: www.companyofmary.us.org  &  www.lestonnac.
org  & www.rcbo.org)
On September 17, 1945, under the pastorship of Reverend Christopher J. Bradley,
Saint Anne Parish opened its doors for the first class of students. The building was made
up of four classrooms, a reception room, music room, and office. The Sisters of Charity
of the Blessed Virgin Mary began teaching at Saint Anne School when it first opened. In
the summer of 1947, the second floor of the school was added and school capacity
increased to 410 students in grades one through eight. It became necessary in February,
1954, to expand the school facility, and a four classroom building along South Sycamore
Street was added.

In 1958, anew school, known as Saint Anne Annex, was constructed at 2202 West
McFadden
Avenue. It was absorbed by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in 1960.

In 1964, an addition of three classrooms to the South Sycamore Street building brought
the total to
sixteen classrooms. Monsignor Harry J. Trower purchased the lot adjacent to, and north
of the
current pre-kindergarten in 1967, providing additional playground and parking area.

In September, 1980, Monsignor John G. Campbell asked the Sisters of the Company of
Mary to serve the parish at Saint Anne School with Sister Dolores Aguilar, O.D.N. as its
principal. When classes went to single grades, rooms were converted for other uses:  a
faculty room, an office, and a computer laboratory.

In 1984, the Campbell Center was built by the parish for the main purposes of providing
a lunch area for the school children and space for school and parish assemblies.

In July, 1987, Father Joseph C. Justice was appointed pastor. The school consisted of
two kindergarten classes and one class of each of first through eighth grades.

The next five years brought two new programs and a classroom conversion. The pre-
kindergarten program began in the 1992/1993 school year.

In 1996/1997 fencing was installed for the preschool area in order to meet state
guidelines. In 1998/1999, a safety playing surface and new play equipment were added,
as well. In 2002, a permanent covering was constructed over the preschool play area.

Currently, the computer lab consists of 30 student workstations, which are connected to
the Internet via DSL. Each teacher has a workstation in the classroom.

In 2003 the computerized, Accelerated Math Program was introduced to grades 4 and
5—in 2004 it was incorporated in grades 2-8.

Also in 2003, the Accelerated Reading Program was instituted in the school library. This
year an automated computerized circulation and cataloging system was added to assist in
checking out library books.


SAINT JEANNE DE LESTONNAC                                                                
FOUNDRESS
SISTERS OF THE COMPANY OF MARY OUR LADY

Jeanne de Lestonnac was born on December 27, 1556, in Bordeaux, France.  This time
of great turmoil within the Catholic Church of France, brought about by the Protestant
Reformation, had its effect on each individual and family in France and throughout the
world.  Jeanne's early childhood was marred by religious conflict within her own family,
which constantly challenged her to remain steadfast in her Catholic faith.

Although as a young woman Jeanne desired to enter religious life, her father advised her
to marry Gaston de Montferrand.  Her first three children died at an early age, but a few
years later she was blessed with five more children.

Jeanne was forty years old when her husband died and she continued the spiritual
formation and upbringing of her children as a single parent.  As soon as her children were
grown and able to care for themselves, she once again seriously considered a religious
vocation.  In 1603, after much prayer and discernment, she entered a Cistercian
monastery, however, due to her advanced years and delicate health, she was unable to
adapt to the rigors of the monastery.  She became so gravely ill that it was necessary for
her to leave the monastery after having been there for only one year.  Once again she had
to discover God's will and plan in this new development.

It was at this time that she was inspired to establish a religious community under the
patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The Order of the Sisters of the Company of
Mary, Our Lady would dedicate itself to "education in the faith and the promotion of
justice".  As one of the first religious orders for women in the Catholic Church to have an
active apostolic dimension, it had, at the core of its spirit, the harmonization of action and
contemplation.

On April 7, 1607, the Company of Mary received papal approbation from Pope Paul
V.  Blessed in seeing the Order flourish throughout France during her lifetime, Jeanne
died on February 2, 1640. After a long life of dedication as a wife, mother, and
foundress of the Sisters of the Company of Mary, Our Lady, Pope Pius XII canonized
Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac on May 15, 1949.  

The Sisters of the Company came to the United States in 1926, and became
administrators of Saint Anne School in September 1980.


                                                                                                                                     
                                                              Saint Anne School
                                                1324 S. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92707
                                                              Phone (714) 542-9328
                                                             Fax 714) 542-3431
                                               E-mail: information@saintanneschool.net

                                                    Where Education is FIRST !!!