Our History

Holy Family Catholic School has a rich tradition of academic excellence, serving the parish and the community at large since 1937. The school was founded by the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross on September 7, 1937, with 94 eager students in four classrooms. Initially, the school covered grades 1 through 8, but in 1939, it added a preschool. Two years later, kindergarten was added.

Teaching has always been a core strength of Holy Family. The first principal was Sister Constantine, and Reverend James Morris served as the school’s first pastor. Its first faculty consisted of 5 sisters, four full-time classroom teachers, and one music teacher. In 1938, Holy Family graduated eight students from the eighth grade. As Holy Family’s reputation and the parish grew, enrollment increased to a peak of 361 in 1958, a mere 20 years after its founding. In 1980, the school became entirely lay-staffed as the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross needed to meet other obligations in the religious community. The school continued its strong religious curriculum coupled with rigorous academic classes.

Over the next 40 years, the demands of a growing religious community, coupled with the educational needs of an evolving and challenging curriculum, required that the facilities be expanded and redesigned. A new Education Center was specifically built and opened in 1999 to provide for these needs. In addition to large, state-of-the-art classrooms, the school provides a fully equipped science laboratory, computer facilities, a library, and visual arts and music rooms. A redesign of our outdoor space to an Outdoor Learning Center led to a gathering area, outdoor science center, and play area was dedicated in 2016 by Bishop David G. O’Connell. In Fall 2020, our school community grew again as we welcomed our youngest Knights to a new Transitional Kindergarten program!

In the Summer of 2021, we welcomed new leaders to our Holy Family Community: Principal Jennifer Garzia, Pastor Fr. Albert Bahhuth, and Associate Pastor Fr. Andrew Hedstrom. In the Summer of 2022, we welcomed Vice Principal Jeannie Eamnarangkool.

Our 2023 – 2024 school year was filled with incredible blessings. Fr. Albert was one of four Los Angeles Archdiocese priests called to the Office of Bishop; one of our in-residence Deacons, Joseph Cho, was ordained on June 1st. We welcomed a new Pastor, Fr. Ricky Viveros, and an Associate Pastor, Fr. Gerald Osuagwu. Our three-year Faith in the Future Campaign Phase I broke ground in the Education Center in June, and our graduating class of 2024 was all accepted to their top high school choices!

Beginning in the 2024–2025 school year, Holy Family Catholic School replaced its traditional Technology program with a comprehensive TK–8 Innovation & Design Program. This forward-thinking curriculum integrates Design Thinking, STEM, project-based learning, and Catholic Social Teaching to inspire creativity, collaboration, and service. Students explore coding, robotics, engineering, and design while working together to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges using the Design Thinking process. Under the guidance of Innovation & Design Specialist Mrs. Stefanie Lutero, students embrace the philosophy that at Holy Family, we “build for a purpose.” Every project is rooted in the belief that our talents and creativity should be used to serve others and make a positive impact on our community and the world.

In 2025, students also completed a collaborative project for the school’s Education Center, showcasing the creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork fostered through the Innovation & Design Program.

Click on this link to view the Video of the work completed on our Education Center 2025

The 2024–2025 school year also marked the launch of the HFS Student News Crew, another initiative led through the Innovation & Design Program. This student-led broadcast gives participants the opportunity to develop skills in journalism, storytelling, videography, interviewing, editing, and production while sharing school news and highlighting the life of the Holy Family community.

2025–2026 School Year

The 2025–2026 school year marked another exciting chapter in the history of Holy Family Catholic School and Parish.

Holy Family Parish entered Phase II of the “Faith in Our Future” Capital Campaign, bringing significant improvements to our church campus. This phase included a beautiful retrofit of the church, a state-of-the-art sound system, a new air conditioning system, and the restoration of the historic confessionals, which had been closed for more than a decade. These enhancements ensure that our parish church remains a welcoming and sacred place of worship for generations to come.

This year also brought joyful personal milestones for our school leadership. Both Principal Garzia and Vice Principal Eamnarangkool welcomed beautiful baby girls into their families. At the same time, each achieved the significant professional accomplishment of earning a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), reflecting their unwavering commitment to educational excellence and lifelong learning.

In May 2026, Holy Family Catholic School proudly conferred diplomas upon its 88th graduating class. As these graduates embarked on the next chapter of their educational journeys, they carried with them the faith, knowledge, leadership, and values cultivated during their years at Holy Family—continuing a tradition of forming young men and women of faith, service, and academic excellence that has endured since 1937.

2026–2027 School Year

As Holy Family Catholic School enters the 2026–2027 school year, we are pleased to welcome Fr. Deusdedit “Deus” Najja as our new Associate Pastor. Fr. Deus joined our parish and school community after serving at the USC Caruso Catholic Center, bringing with him a passion for pastoral ministry, Catholic education, and fostering meaningful relationships with students, families, and parishioners. His arrival marks an exciting new chapter in the life of our Holy Family community.