La Purisima Catholic School

Principal: Mrs. Debbie Vallas

Founded: 1965. La Purisima School is a Diocese of Orange parish school, in association with the Sisters of the Company of Mary.

Academic Year: Three trimesters from late August to mid-June.

Grades taught: Full-day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten; Elementary School (Grades 1-5); Middle School (Grades 6-8).

Accreditation: La Purisima School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA). The preschool is fully licensed by the State of California.

Faculty: 14 full-time and 4 part-time teachers; 3 hold Master’s degrees and 1 holds a Ph.D. degree; K-8 teachers are credentialed (one in process) and the Pre-K teachers have early childhood requirements.

Resources: Inclusion specialist, counselor, and librarian on campus. Facilities:

• Technology Lab with interactive Smart Board and 36 networked computers with high-speed Internet access.
• Library with Accelerated Reader program.
• Networked computers in all classrooms with high-speed, wireless Internet access.
• State of the art music classroom.
• Athletic field with electronic scoreboard; outdoor basketball/volleyball courts.
• Modern playground equipment.

Class Size: Maximum class size is 32 students in grades K-8. Maximum is 24 students (with 2 teachers) in each Pre-K classroom. A part-time instructional aide assists grades K-2.

Student Body Demographics: Diverse multi-cultural student population.
Number: 116 boys; 128 girls (as of 02/28/09)
34% Caucasian
28% Latino
24% Asian
2% African-American

Curriculum: Religion (including weekly Mass), Family Life and Moral Development, Fine Arts and Music (including Art Masters and Music Legacy programs), Technology, Spanish, Accelerated Mathematics, Language Arts (Reading, English, Spelling, Handwriting, and Research Skills), Literature, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, and opportunities to participate in Student Council, California Junior Scholastic Federation, and National Junior Honor Society as part of the regular curriculum.

After-School Enrichment Programs: Academic Decathlon, All-School Concerts, Band, Choir, Destination Science Club, Homework Club, and Scouts.

Sports Program: Parochial Athletic League Boys and Girls Basketball, Track and Volleyball; Boys Flag Football; Girls Softball.

Team name: Cavaliers

Team Colors: Blue and White

School Uniform: Worn by students in Grades K-8.