Our Lady of the Assumption Parish was established in 1954, and four years later our school was built to serve the growing community. The founding pastor, Father Peter Mimnagh, answered the call to Catholic education with courage and vision. After an appeal from the Bishop of San Diego, four Sisters of Mercy from Sligo, Ireland arrived to staff the school. Sister Mary Francis Paula Lavan became the school’s first principal, laying the foundation for a tradition of faith and academic excellence that continues today.
The school opened with grades one through six. In 1959, seventh grade was added, with classes initially held in the auditorium. In later years, the building was remodeled to create dedicated seventh and eighth grade classrooms. For the first five years, the Sisters of Mercy solely staffed the school. In 1962, Mrs. Caroline Nunley joined as the first lay teacher. Over time, the number of Sisters serving the school declined, but their presence and influence remain strong. Sr. Maura Redington, former principal and Parish Director of Religious Education, and Sr. Camillus Gavigan, director of the school choir, continue to serve actively.
In 2003, Mrs. Sue Long began her leadership as the school’s first lay principal, serving in the capacity of Administrator. Continuing the tradition of strong lay leadership, Mrs. Godsy became the school’s second lay principal in 2021. As a former teacher and Vice principal, her leadership reflects the deep roots and enduring impact of Catholic education at Our Lady of the Assumption.
Throughout the decades, Our Lady of the Assumption School has continued to grow and evolve. A library was added in 1967. The Parish Hall was built in 1970 and expanded in 1977 to meet the needs of the parish and school community. In 1979, generous donors Julius and Margaret Bortell funded the addition of the two-room Bortell Center. Kindergarten was added in 1985 and is housed in one of those rooms. The second room later became home to our preschool program.
Since 2013, Our Lady of the Assumption School has maintained a 1:1 iPad program, reflecting our commitment to innovation in education. We are where Tradition meets Innovation — blending strong Catholic values and academic excellence with meaningful technology integration. Our students use technology to enhance their learning, collaborate creatively, and think critically. Through intentional and purposeful technology use, we are able to meet the diverse learning needs of all our students and prepare them for success in an ever-evolving world.
In 2020, through a generous gift from the Shea Foundation and other donors, we opened a state-of-the-art STEM Lab and Middle School Science Building. This milestone marked a significant investment in hands-on, innovative learning, preparing our students to solve problems creatively and excel in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Continuing to look toward the future, in 2024 we began our journey to become a Dual Spanish Language School. Starting with Kindergarten, we are expanding the program one grade level each year. This initiative reflects our commitment to academic excellence, cultural awareness, and preparing our students to thrive in a global society.
With pride in our rich history, gratitude for the vision and generosity of those who came before us, and faith in the future, Our Lady of the Assumption School remains steadfast in its mission. Rooted in Catholic tradition and committed to academic excellence, we are sharing Christ today with the leaders of tomorrow and look forward to many more years of faithful service to our parish and community.
