History of St. Vincent Catholic School

St. Vincent School was opened in 1911 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in the recently closed St. Vincent College. The school moved twice before settling at its current location in 1953. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet served the school until 1986, having instilled the charism of reconciliation. From 1987 until 1996, the school was under the direction of four lay principals. In 1997 the administration of the school was transferred to the Daughters of Charity and as a result adopted the Vincentian charism.   

When St. Vincent School was built, the neighborhood was upper-middle class and wealthy. Gradually, the more affluent families moved to the suburbs, and the demographics changed. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, many families immigrated to this area from Mexico and Central America to escape war and governmental pressure. They found work in the garment district and hotels. The nearby University of Southern California also provided a variety of jobs for families in the area.

St. Vincent School’s successes and history are a result of the Daughters of Charity who built upon the stable foundation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. With the guidance of the Daughters of Charity, St. Vincent School’s mission is to provide the finest education in an inclusive Catholic community of faith.  In the fall of 2013, a transitional kindergarten opened to better serve the community.  St. Vincent School will continue to minister to underserved families that cannot afford the full tuition, and educate students to lead, serve, and grow to their full potential as beloved children of God.