9626 Park St., Bellflower, CA 90706 (562) 867-9410
A Year of Grace at St. Bernard School
State of the School | 2025–2026
"Let all that you do be done in love." — 1 Corinthians 16:14
Dear St. Bernard School Families,
We give thanks to God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon our school community throughout this past year. As I complete my first year as principal, I am especially grateful for the opportunity to get to know the heart of St. Bernard School: our students, families, faculty, staff, parish, and traditions.
St. Bernard School is a ministry of the Church, dedicated to forming disciples of Jesus Christ while providing academic excellence rooted in the Catholic faith. As we reflect on the 2025–2026 school year, we are filled with gratitude for the grace that has guided every step of our journey together.
Forming Disciples in Faith
True faith formation is not measured only by lessons in a textbook but by the countless everyday moments of kindness, forgiveness, generosity, and compassion that unfold throughout our school community.
This year, our students continued to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ through:
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Daily prayer
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Weekly Mass
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Sacramental preparation
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Religion instruction
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Service projects
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Community evangelization
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Monthly Family Sunday Masses
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Traditional Catholic devotions
These opportunities allowed our students not only to learn about their faith but to live it. Every classroom, every prayer, and every act of service reflects our commitment to forming disciples who know Christ, love Christ, and make Him known.
Excellence in Academics
Our outstanding teachers continued to challenge, inspire, and nurture the unique gifts of every child.
This year we celebrated:
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Student academic achievement
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Growth in reading and mathematics
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Significant progress in early literacy foundations
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Innovative classroom instruction
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Expanded student leadership opportunities through educational field trips
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Creative and engaging learning experiences
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Academic Decathlon Super Quiz Champions
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Students receiving Catholic high school academic and merit scholarships
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Strong partnerships between teachers and families
While test scores and grades remain important indicators of learning, our greatest success is watching our students develop confidence, curiosity, perseverance, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.
Building a Stronger School
Behind every successful school year is a tremendous amount of work that often goes unseen.
This year, we focused on strengthening the foundation of St. Bernard so that both today's students and future generations can continue receiving an outstanding Catholic education.
Among our accomplishments were:
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Investing in a new phonics program to strengthen early literacy instruction.
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Continuing our commitment to modern learning through our 1:1 iPad initiative.
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Expanding student support by adding Title I services.
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Hosting monthly Parent Leadership Committee meetings to strengthen collaboration between home and school.
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Improving family communication while streamlining arrival and dismissal procedures.
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Successfully implementing the FACTS system to simplify tuition management, improve communication, and allow our administrative team to devote more time to serving students and families.
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Supporting our teachers through professional development, including Thinking Maps training, to strengthen instructional practices and student learning.
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Carefully managing our operational budget to ensure long-term financial stability while maximizing resources that directly benefit our students and classrooms.
These improvements are not simply administrative changes; they are investments in our students and in the mission of St. Bernard School.
Throughout this year, we continued to build a school culture centered on excellence, innovation, and faith.
Fostering a Student-Centered Culture
We are intentionally moving toward learning environments where students actively participate, collaborate, think critically, and take ownership of their learning.
Investing in Our Teachers
Our teachers participated in meaningful professional development and received instructional resources that strengthen teaching and improve student achievement.
Sustaining Classroom Resources
We continued investing in instructional technology and classroom tools to ensure students have access to engaging, modern learning experiences every day.
Strengthening Parent Partnerships
Monthly meetings with our Parent Leadership Committee have strengthened communication, encouraged collaboration, and created meaningful opportunities for families to help shape school initiatives.
Faithful Stewardship
As stewards of the gifts entrusted to us, we carefully manage every dollar to support classroom instruction, student learning, teacher excellence, and the long-term sustainability of Catholic education at St. Bernard.
Modernizing Operations
Implementing FACTS and improving internal systems has increased efficiency, enhanced communication, and allowed our staff to spend more time focused on what matters most our students.
Stewardship: Supporting Our Mission
Catholic education is a shared ministry made possible through partnership.
Every tuition payment, every volunteer hour, every fundraiser, every donation, and every prayer directly supports the education and faith formation of our students.
Because of your generosity, we are able to:
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Support outstanding teachers
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Invest in classroom resources and technology
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Strengthen academic programs
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Provide faith formation opportunities
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Maintain a safe and welcoming campus
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Continue offering a high-quality Catholic education while striving to keep tuition as affordable as possible
Stewardship is not simply about finances; it is about ensuring that the mission entrusted to us today continues for the students who will walk through our doors tomorrow.
“Every dollar entrusted to St. Bernard School is an investment in the faith, education, and future of our children.”
As we prepare for another school year, our commitment remains clear.
Together, we will continue striving to:
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Strengthen Catholic identity by inviting families to participate in parish life and faith formation opportunities that foster belonging, discipleship, and service.
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Promote academic excellence through data-informed instruction, regular growth assessments, and personalized support that helps every student reach his or her God-given potential.
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Expand enrichment opportunities by partnering with parents to grow programs such as strategic academic support, Spanish, music, visual and performing arts, athletics, and other areas of student interest.
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Strengthen the home-school partnership by cultivating a culture of trust, collaboration, open communication, and shared responsibility.
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Support and invest in our teachers by nurturing their professional growth, faith formation, leadership, and well-being.
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Build a joyful and welcoming community where every child knows they are loved by God and experiences kindness, respect, inclusion, and the hope of the Gospel.
There is always room to grow, and we welcome thoughtful feedback that helps us become an even stronger Catholic school community.
“Together, we can continue providing opportunities that tuition alone cannot sustain.”
A Word of Gratitude
To our priests, faculty, staff, School Board, volunteers, parish community, and every family who has entrusted us with your children—thank you.
Your partnership makes this ministry possible.
"Together, we are not simply operating a school. Together, we are forming saints."
As we look toward the coming year, may we continue placing Christ at the center of all we do, trusting that He will guide our school with wisdom, hope, and love.
