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: Half-day and Full-day preschool and pre-kindergarten; Full-day 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 (license #300606414).

Faculty: 11 full-time and 6 part-time teachers; 2 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:

• Library
• Technology Lab with interactive Smart Board, 36 networked computers with high-speed Internet access, and Accelerated Reader and Math programs
• Networked computers in all classrooms with high-speed, wireless Internet access
• Cutting edge music classroom with individual keyboards and instruments
• 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: 108 boys; 110 girls (as of 01/12/11)
28% Caucasian
39% Latino
30% Asian
2% African-American

Curriculum: Religion (including weekly Mass), Family Life Education and Moral Development, Language Arts (Reading, Phonics, English, Writing, Spelling, Handwriting, Research and Library Skills), Literature, Mathematics, Accelerated Mathematics, Spanish, Social Studies (History, Geography, Current Events), Science (Physical, Biological, Earth, Life), Technology Education, Music Education, Physical Education (Health and Safety), Fine Arts (Art Masters and Music Legacy programs), other accelerated curricula available individually or in small groups, 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, Ballet Folklorico, Band, Choir, Destination Science Club, Homework Club, and Scouts.

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

Team name: Cavaliers

Team Colors: Blue and White

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