History of St. Catherine Labouré School
The establishment of St. Catherine Labouré Parish and School was part of the proliferation of Catholic schools and churches in theUnited States as a result of the post-war Baby Boom from 1946-1964. In 1952, St. Catherine Labouré School opened its doors with grades first through fourth, while its premises were still undergoing construction. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, from Ireland, taught at and ran the school for forty years. Since 1952, the school gradually expanded from single to double classrooms per grade. Presently, St. Catherine Laboué has a preschool program and serves students from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade. In addition to core curriculum, the school has integrated technology, art, and physical education at every grade level and Spanish in first through eighth grade, as well as extracurricular programs in music, art and sports. From the beginning, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny set out not only to educate each student, but to develop the child socially, emotionally, spritually and academically. St. Catherine Labouré School continues this charism today.
St. Catherine Labouré School is not just a parish school, but it is also a commuter school. Many students come from outside the parish community and the city of Torrance. The needs of many families outside of the community are met because the school is centered among three major freeways, the 405, 110 and 91, as well as multiple hospitals and industrial centers. The school's location is ideal for familes who want their children to attend school close to where they work. Although many school familes are not local, they are still actively involved in the school community by volunteering and attending Mass at St. Catherine Labouré Church.
The school enjoys educating a very diverse student population and is committed to meeting the needs of each student. The school is comprised of a preschool, twenty homeroom teachers, two technology teachers, one art teacher, two physical education teacher, a part-time school psychologist, and a part time Spanish teacher. The administration requires that all teachers hold a valid teaching credential and that newly hired teachers are already credentialed or in the process of being credentialed. Faculty are also required to hold a Basic Catechechist Certificate through the Archdiocese of Los Angeles or any other recognized diocese in California. Additionally the school is comprised of a dedicated and compassionate support staff that includes an office manager, secretary, health aide, classroom aides, lunch and yard supervisors, daycare supervisors, and custodial workers.
