Our History
Love God | Love Learning | Love Self | Love Others
How it all began
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet founded St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish Grammar School in 1950. Their mission was a call to service “the dear neighbor without distinction” with a charism of unity and reconciliation. The school continues to be blessed with the presence of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. They currently fill the position of a middle grades art instructor. The Sisters also offer in-services and retreats for the faculty and continue to influence and strengthen the spiritual foundation of the school. Their gifts, talents and resources promote the gospel message, which provides the framework for our Schoolwide Learning Expectations (SLEs) : St. Cyril Students love God, love their neighbor, love learning and love themselves in a healthy way.
“the dear neighbor without distinction”
As of 2019, the school offers classes from Preschool through eighth grade. The school has received full accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Extra curricular activities include student council, California Junior Scholastic Federation, altar servers, Angel on My Shoulder (community service), academic decathlon, mock trial, and a variety of other opportunities in subject areas such as science and math and the performing and visual arts. Sports include flag football, boys’ volleyball, girls’ volleyball, boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, girls’ softball, track, and swimming.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles founded St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish in 1949. Cardinal James Francis McIntyre named the new parish after St. Cyril of Jerusalem, because at the time, Jerusalem was in anguish as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and the Cardinal wished to signify the Church’s concern for the holy places in Jerusalem and their distressed peoples.
The Rev. Michael Lalor (a native of Ireland) was the first pastor of St. Cyril. A former army chaplain named Rev. William Smith was the first assistant pastor. Mass was celebrated at the Nazareth House Home for Boys at Magnolia and Sepulveda until the original church, now the parish hall, was dedicated shortly before Christmas 1950.
74
Years since founding