Who We Are
The Value of Now
Mission
Holy Trinity School is a joyful, welcoming, caring, active community of believers supporting families in educating children in academics and Catholic values to meet the challenges of our world.
Philosophy
We, at Holy Trinity School, base our philosophy of education on the premise that all persons are created equal in dignity as human beings and have the right to grow to the fullest of their potential in an atmosphere of utmost reverence and respect for each individual. We believe that parents are the primary educators of their children and that the teacher’s role is to facilitate the learning process, blending academic achievement with a Catholic perspective on life and the world.
Using a student-centered approach, we strive toward the holistic development of each young person. To this end, we employ a system of human growth and a learning process that insures all students have equal opportunities to become independent learners, to develop thinking skills, and to make responsible decisions in their lives. In this educational process, we believe in working in close communication with parents.
Our History
Since the establishment of Holy Trinity Parish on the western frontier more than 150 years ago, we have evolved and grown while remaining deep-rooted in our Catholic traditions and values. We are proud of our history and the generations of Holy Trinity School students past, present, and future. Click on the titles below; we have an interesting story to tell!
Holy Trinity Parish
The religious education of the Catholic children of El Cajon and the history of Holy Trinity Parish have roots in the earliest East County missions. Holy Trinity Parish grew out of Mission St. Mary, begun by Father Antonio Ubach from Manresa, Spain, who arrived in 1866 and traveled around his parish on horseback, caring for the Indians and settlers. His parish included present day El Cajon, downtown San Diego, Old Town, and the Indian villages extending to Riverside and Imperial Counties.
After purchasing land on Ballard Street in 1950, the army barracks, where the hall is currently located, were converted to a church. In 1954, Bishop Buddy decided the Church would be called Church of the Most Holy Trinity. Groundbreaking for the current church was held in April of 1958.
Holy Trinity School
In 1947, Father Leo La Verne Davis and Father Ross, his associate, decided St. Mary Mission Parish needed a school. In 1948, the parish worked together and held an All Western Days festival. Similar to today’s Jamboree, the All Western Days carnival drew huge crowds. Father Ross had previously lived in Hollywood, and many celebrities, including Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, Dorothy Lamour, Ricardo Montalban, and Roddy MacDowell, came to entertain the crowds. The festival raised $21,000 in 1948 and over $100,000 in 1949.
In 1950, land was purchased on Ballard Street for a church and school. Originally a convent, the present day preschool was built for the Immaculate Heart of Mary sisters who were charged with running the school. Later, a four-room school building was constructed, and the first class graduated from Holy Trinity in 1957.
In the early 1950s, Father Edward Kookoszka spent much of his time collecting donations of lumber and equipment to expand the school. The sisters decorated the outside with flowers and held first communion services outdoors since there was no church yet.
Groundbreaking for the current church was held in April of 1958. Students and their parents helped build the church, sawing wood and varnishing the floors. The school children donated the gate in front of the Sacred Heart altar and the church window depicting the Sacrament of the Sick with a shamrock.
In 1959, during the height of the Baby Boom following World War II, school enrollment peaked at 561 students with seven sisters and three lay teachers. Father Ron Buchmiller was the first Holy Trinity student to enter the priesthood and was ordained by Bishop Maher at Holy Trinity Church on December 20, 1969.
Today, Holy Trinity School continues to strive towards academic excellence while maintaining a strong foundation based on our Catholic faith.
A Dozen Reasons to Choose Catholic Schools
Need a reason to choose a Catholic school? We’ll give you twelve!
- We offer an education that combines Catholic faith and teachings with academic excellence.
- We partner with parents in the faith formation of their children.
- We set high standards for student achievement and help them succeed.
- We provide a balanced academic curriculum that integrates faith, culture, and life.
- We use technology effectively to enhance education.
- We instill in students the value of service to others.
- We teach children respect of self and others.
- We emphasize moral development and self-discipline.
- We prepare students to be productive citizens and future leaders.
- We have a 99 percent high school graduation rate, and 85 percent of our graduates go to college.
- We cultivate a faculty and staff of people who are dedicated, caring, and effective.
- We provide a safe and welcoming environment for all.
Accreditation
Holy Trinity School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In addition to WASC, our school is also accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA).
