Our Lady of the Sacred Heart opened its doors in September 1927. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange staffed the school. The school's enrollment, from K through 9 peaked to 500 students during World War II. In 1948, OLSH discontinued its ninth grade class with the opening of Rosary High School. In the mid-50s, OLSH eliminated its Kindergarten program. With the opening of other Catholic schools, OLSH's enrollment was immediately impacted. Enrollment fell to a then all-time low of 260 students in 1966. In March of 1969, Father William Mooney was appointed pastor, and Sister Michelle Tochtrop, CSJ, was assigned to OLSH as principal. Under their direction, the school re-opened the Kindergarten program in 1969.
A new convent for the sisters on staff at OLSH and Rosary High was built. With their leadership, the school's enrollment increased significantly. When Sister Tochtrop was reassigned in 1975, the school's enrollment had risen to 320 students.
Mr. Daniel G. O'Neal replaced Sr. Tochtrop in the fall of 1975. In June of 1976, Father Raymond Kirk replaced Fr. Mooney as pastor. In June of 1977, Rosary High School closed, prompting OLSH to re-open its ninth grade. Fr. Kirk and the Parish Council purchased the Rosary High School building and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart moved into it. With the new facility, OLSH was able to add new programs: extended care, a computer center, a religious education office, a counseling office, and a reading and resource center. The following year, the original OLSH school site was demolished to build Guadalupe Plaza, an eleven-story senior residence.
In an effort to insure financial stability of the school, Fr. Kirk negotiated with the Sisters of St. Joseph to relocate them to a residence in La Mesa. The former convent was leased to the County of San Diego Area Agency on Aging, with the revenue going to the general operating funds of the school. In 1986, Fr. Francis Penko replaced Fr. Kirk. In 1990, the County of San Diego relocated its agency. Fr. Penko negotiated a new lease with the Community Resource and Self Help (CRASH) for a residential drug rehabilitation center.
In 1991, Reverend Michael Ratajczak assumed leadership of the Parish. Under Fr. Ratajczak, many improvements took place: 1) the roof on the school was replaced, 2) a Development Committee was established, 3) the school was told to address the impact of the changing parish on enrollment and finances, 4) Fr. Ratajczak worked to bring the three communities (Hispanic, Vietnamese, and Caucasian) together, 5) a master building plan was made, but later abandoned because it was too costly 6) the school and parish joined the San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP), and took an active role in addressing the surrounding neighborhood to make a positive contribution to the development in the community.
In 1993, Mr. O'Neal resigned after 17 years as principal and was replaced by Sister Linda Lutz, Community of the Holy Spirit. Enrollment continued to decline. OLSH had to find ways to address the situation. Staff size was reduced and classes were combined. In 1995, Fr. Ratajczak was transferred and Fr. Richard Perozich was appointed pastor. Under Fr. Perozich, with the help of Sr. Lutz and her staff, immediate needs of the school were addressed. In 1996, the 9th grade was again discontinued and a preschool program was opened.
Since 1996, many improvements were made. The school was painted inside and out. All the school windows were replaced. A new fence was placed around the school. The classrooms were remodeled. The computer lab was updated and the science lab re-opened. A wireless network system connecting the school to the rectory was added. Computers with internet access were installed in each classroom. With the increased demand for preschool, the preschool license was changed from 24 students to 36 and a new classroom was added. Through a grant from the Ronald McDonald House and McMillian Construction Company, a new playground was built. The National School Lunch Program started. Through the working relationship and advocacy of our city councilperson and SDOP, OLSH received the City of San Diego's 6 to 6 Program. New security doors and an intercom system with security video entrance were installed in the front of the school.
In October 2003, Fr. Perozich left to become a missionary. Sister Lutz retired from principal of OLSH and Ms. Christine Haddad was appointed principal. Fr. Edmundo Zarate-Suarez was appointed pastor. Improvements to the playground for preschool was completed in 2006. In July 2006, Fr. Edmundo was re-assigned and Fr. Robert Irwin was appointed pastor for a short time. Fr. Pedro was assigned to us as our Parish priest and Father Dillard as our Parish Administrator during the 2006-2007 school year. Fr. Armando Escurel (2007) led our 2007-2008 school year into its 80th year of "promising to focus on the academic, spiritual, cultural, and social needs of its students and their families."
Father Duong Nguyen, SVD, was appointed pastor beginning in summer of 2009. Mrs. Gabriella Enciso served as our school principal from 2012 to 2014 during which time the bathrooms in the main building were refurbished, the outside of the school was painted, and the YMCA PE Play program was established. Ms. Christina Alton became principal in 2014 until January 2016. Mr. Alfonso Magaña served as interim principal from February 2016 and was appointed principal in July 2016. Our new pastor, Father Jose Goopio, SVD, joined our community in the summer of 2016. A Steering Committee was formed in September 2016 to investigate the feasibility of merging OLSH with Blessed Sacrament Parish School. It was announced in April 2017, that OLSH would merge with Blessed Sacrament in the 2018-2019 school year. The 2017-2018 school year will make Our Lady of the Sacred Heart's 90th and final year as an independent school. As we look forward to the future of the new merged school, "we stand on the shoulders of giants."
A new convent for the sisters on staff at OLSH and Rosary High was built. With their leadership, the school's enrollment increased significantly. When Sister Tochtrop was reassigned in 1975, the school's enrollment had risen to 320 students.
Mr. Daniel G. O'Neal replaced Sr. Tochtrop in the fall of 1975. In June of 1976, Father Raymond Kirk replaced Fr. Mooney as pastor. In June of 1977, Rosary High School closed, prompting OLSH to re-open its ninth grade. Fr. Kirk and the Parish Council purchased the Rosary High School building and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart moved into it. With the new facility, OLSH was able to add new programs: extended care, a computer center, a religious education office, a counseling office, and a reading and resource center. The following year, the original OLSH school site was demolished to build Guadalupe Plaza, an eleven-story senior residence.
In an effort to insure financial stability of the school, Fr. Kirk negotiated with the Sisters of St. Joseph to relocate them to a residence in La Mesa. The former convent was leased to the County of San Diego Area Agency on Aging, with the revenue going to the general operating funds of the school. In 1986, Fr. Francis Penko replaced Fr. Kirk. In 1990, the County of San Diego relocated its agency. Fr. Penko negotiated a new lease with the Community Resource and Self Help (CRASH) for a residential drug rehabilitation center.
In 1991, Reverend Michael Ratajczak assumed leadership of the Parish. Under Fr. Ratajczak, many improvements took place: 1) the roof on the school was replaced, 2) a Development Committee was established, 3) the school was told to address the impact of the changing parish on enrollment and finances, 4) Fr. Ratajczak worked to bring the three communities (Hispanic, Vietnamese, and Caucasian) together, 5) a master building plan was made, but later abandoned because it was too costly 6) the school and parish joined the San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP), and took an active role in addressing the surrounding neighborhood to make a positive contribution to the development in the community.
In 1993, Mr. O'Neal resigned after 17 years as principal and was replaced by Sister Linda Lutz, Community of the Holy Spirit. Enrollment continued to decline. OLSH had to find ways to address the situation. Staff size was reduced and classes were combined. In 1995, Fr. Ratajczak was transferred and Fr. Richard Perozich was appointed pastor. Under Fr. Perozich, with the help of Sr. Lutz and her staff, immediate needs of the school were addressed. In 1996, the 9th grade was again discontinued and a preschool program was opened.
Since 1996, many improvements were made. The school was painted inside and out. All the school windows were replaced. A new fence was placed around the school. The classrooms were remodeled. The computer lab was updated and the science lab re-opened. A wireless network system connecting the school to the rectory was added. Computers with internet access were installed in each classroom. With the increased demand for preschool, the preschool license was changed from 24 students to 36 and a new classroom was added. Through a grant from the Ronald McDonald House and McMillian Construction Company, a new playground was built. The National School Lunch Program started. Through the working relationship and advocacy of our city councilperson and SDOP, OLSH received the City of San Diego's 6 to 6 Program. New security doors and an intercom system with security video entrance were installed in the front of the school.
In October 2003, Fr. Perozich left to become a missionary. Sister Lutz retired from principal of OLSH and Ms. Christine Haddad was appointed principal. Fr. Edmundo Zarate-Suarez was appointed pastor. Improvements to the playground for preschool was completed in 2006. In July 2006, Fr. Edmundo was re-assigned and Fr. Robert Irwin was appointed pastor for a short time. Fr. Pedro was assigned to us as our Parish priest and Father Dillard as our Parish Administrator during the 2006-2007 school year. Fr. Armando Escurel (2007) led our 2007-2008 school year into its 80th year of "promising to focus on the academic, spiritual, cultural, and social needs of its students and their families."
Father Duong Nguyen, SVD, was appointed pastor beginning in summer of 2009. Mrs. Gabriella Enciso served as our school principal from 2012 to 2014 during which time the bathrooms in the main building were refurbished, the outside of the school was painted, and the YMCA PE Play program was established. Ms. Christina Alton became principal in 2014 until January 2016. Mr. Alfonso Magaña served as interim principal from February 2016 and was appointed principal in July 2016. Our new pastor, Father Jose Goopio, SVD, joined our community in the summer of 2016. A Steering Committee was formed in September 2016 to investigate the feasibility of merging OLSH with Blessed Sacrament Parish School. It was announced in April 2017, that OLSH would merge with Blessed Sacrament in the 2018-2019 school year. The 2017-2018 school year will make Our Lady of the Sacred Heart's 90th and final year as an independent school. As we look forward to the future of the new merged school, "we stand on the shoulders of giants."