St. Christopher School History
St. Christopher School is located in San Jose, California.
It operates under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of San Jose.
St. Christopher opened in September, 1955, originally serving
the first three grades. The school was fortunate to obtain
the services of the Sisters of the Presentation as teachers and
administrators. Each year another class was added until there
were eight grades. In 1957, the new church was finished and
dedicated, and the school took over the whole original church
building. In 1959-60, Healy Hall, a gymnasium and parish hall
combination, and the convent were built. In 1963, a second school
building was constructed, adding eight classrooms, enabling the
school to serve two classes per grade. A science building was
added in 1980, followed by a computer lab in 1982, and a new
library and additional office space in 1986. The parish built
the Nano Nagle Center in 1999. The Small Hall, where some
classes and activities are conducted, was refurbished in 2001.
The playground equipment was replaced in 2002.
The first lay principal was hired in 1988. Two Sisters of
the Presentation remain on the staff part-time, one as a
vice-principal and the other as a testing coordinator/tutor.
Currently, St. Christopher School has a lay staff including a
vice-principal/curriculum coordinator, twenty homeroom teachers,
and full-time specialists in science, math, computer and music.
Part-time teachers include two in physical education, two learning
specialists, primary and intermediate science, Spanish, primary
reading, health, curriculum support and student activities.
The school employs a development director, a computer tech
coordinator, an onsite counselor (part-time), four yard duty
staff, a librarian and nine teacher aides. The office is staffed
by the business and finance managers, and part-time secretary.
One maintenance person cares for the grounds and completes
repairs to the facility. An outside contractor keeps the
buildings cleaned on a daily basis.
A school board was formed in the fall of 1981. This consultative
body is now called the Advisory Council. An extended day
care program began in the spring of 1988, and is located in
Nano Nagle Center. Our kindergarten opened in the fall of
1991 in the converted chapel of the former residence of our
Sisters. The parish offices utilize the remainder of the convent.
Our Sisters are now living a few doors away, in a home purchased
by the parish. As of August 1, 2006, six hundred twenty children
are enrolled in grades k-8. There are two classes per grade
level with approximately thirty-five children in each class,
grades 1-8, and thirty in each section of kindergarten.
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