A BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL

The wonderful story of St. Anthony School is a tribute to the dedicated lives of the Sisters of St.
Francis, the Sisters of Mercy and superb lay faculties. The Sisters of St. Francis staffed the school
from its establishment in 1960 until 1967. That year, on the invitation of Bishop Furey, bishop of San
Diego, and the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Callaghan, the Sisters of Mercy assigned four Sisters,
including a principal, to help staff St. Anthony School which served mainly an African – American and
Latino Community.

The school had seven grades, Kindergarten through sixth. In 1967, grade seven was added and the
following year brought the addition of grade eight. Since then, the sisters and dedicated staff have
worked to improve the standard of religious training and academic excellence of this school in the
west end of the city of San Bernardino.

Since 1967 St. Anthony School has enjoyed the benefits of Chapter I funding. These funds, allotted
on an annual basis, helped provide audio-visual materials, classroom supplies, a resource teacher
and an aide in every classroom. However, a Supreme Court ruling in July 1985, declared it was illegal
for the aides and the resource teacher to work with the children in the classroom. As a result, the
funds were used to purchase a mobile classroom, which had been used by the resource teacher.
Today, a resource teacher is available to work on site with identified students.

Conscious of the community served, great efforts are made to keep tuition at an affordable rate.
Finances have always been a concern at St. Anthony School. However, due to fundraising efforts of
parents, generous donations, and supporting parishes, notably St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, Sun City,
we have been able to run a successful program.

The school has a strong tradition of parent involvement. Parents assisted in the classrooms, helped
with maintenance, and were an integral part of the fund-raising efforts. In 1989, a financial board was
formed and assumed some of the responsibilities of a school board. In 1994, we had our first elected
School Board. In spring 2004, an Alumni Committee was formed. Even though still in its infancy, it is
an active and enthusiastic group.

In fall 2004, the School Board, Alumni Committee, and a group of committed parishioners planned a
major celebration to honor the presence of the Sisters of Mercy at St. Anthony School. The evening of
celebration began with an open house followed by liturgy and dinner. Many parishioners, alumni,
present and former teachers, community, city, and state leaders came to celebrate with the Sisters of
Mercy, and thank them for sharing their values of community service, academic excellence and
spirituality.

St. Anthony School is very fortunate to have a committed and caring faculty and staff. We are very
proud to have an alumnus on the faculty. As we appreciate the dedication of all who have ministered
at St. Anthony School, we look forward with faith, hope, and enthusiasm to continued participation in
the Church’s teaching mission.