Loretto High School

Loretto High School is a small, Roman Catholic, college-preparatory school for young women in Sacramento, California. The approximately 550-member student body is known for its religious purity, chastity and academic prowess. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento. In 2005 Loretto High School celebrated its 50th anniversary.

History

Founded by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1955, the school occupied a five-acre plot between El Camino Avenue and Bell Street in urban Sacramento. Built to accommodate 400 students, Loretto's initial facilities included a cafeteria, library, gymnasium, and a computer center.

In the late 1990s, however, the school saw an expansion to its current size.

Education

Loretto was staffed by two nuns in the first year and in the next year only one nun. First principal Sister Barbara returned to the convent in Chicago. Currently Jocelyn Barboza is the principal and Sister Helen Timothy is the president, the former office dealing primarily with students and the latter with management of the school. Loretto offers a rigorous but unambiguously Catholic education, though provisions are made for those members of other faiths who would like to attend. Using the trimester system, the school's graduation requirements meet the University of California and California State University requirements. The school offers honor courses and advanced placement classes.

The school's small size creates a close-knit community where the students, teachers, and staff interact frequently and positively.

Extracurriculars

The school offers art programs and sports teams. Loretto athletes are known to go far in basketball and tennis.

Loretto also encourages community service as part of its core mission. Seniors complete a set amount of service as part of a seniors-only class.

Associations

Loretto is the sister school to Jesuit High School of Sacramento.

Loretto is known be very dependent on the alumnae and students parents who donate money to the school.

Notable Alumnae

*Janet Nichols Lynch, author

External links

* [http://www.loretto.net Loretto High School website]
* [http://new.loretto.net/alumnae/history.php Loretto School history]