WOODLAND >> Welcoming families and school alumni from around the community, Holy Rosary School marked its 130th anniversary at its Fleur de Lis dinner and auction on Saturday, March 25.
Now the oldest Catholic school in Yolo County and the third oldest in the Sacramento region, the school was established in 1886 by the Holy Cross Sisters of South Bend, Indiana as a boarding school for young girls, later becoming co-educational and awarded full accreditation in 1920.
Known then as Holy Rosary Academy, the school was located on Main Street in a beautiful, three-story Victorian style structure, and became one of the best known educational landmarks of north-central California.
The Academy was noted not only for its academic excellence, outstanding music and fine arts curriculum, but also for is spacious, well landscaped grounds and serene atmosphere. Tragically, a fire swept through the wood framed building in October of 1952, bringing the Academy to a close.
Classes continued in remaining buildings until the school was rebuilt and renamed Holy Rosary Parish School, opening in 1956 at its present location at 505 California Street.
Today Holy Rosary School serves students in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade, and holds accreditation from the Western Association of Schools Colleges and Western Catholic Educational Association.
At its 130th anniversary celebration, the school paid tribute to its long standing history and tradition by opening for tours for an hour on Saturday; pictures and mementoes from years past were on display in the school’s community center where doors open at 5:30 p.m. for refreshments, dinner, and an auction which followed.
Alumni are encouraged to contact the school to get on class alumni lists; recognition at the dinner was made for the class with most attendees, the oldest graduate, and largest generational alumni family.
