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St. Bernard’s Catholic School is an independent Catholic coeducational school comprised of day and international students in preschool through 12th grade. The Sisters of St. Joseph, began St. Bernard Elementary in 1912; it was then known as the Nazareth Academy. In 1922, the Sisters became the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, and in 1949, the school was renamed St. Bernard Elementary, located where the combined K-12 campus is now. The Sisters founded St. Bernard High School in 1954, and released ownership and responsibility to the Diocese of Santa Rosa in 1964. The Elementary and High Schools consolidated in July of 1999 to become St. Bernard Catholic School. In September 2000, the Bishop of the Diocese of Santa Rosa granted independence to the school. St. Bernard’s Catholic School, Inc., was established in October 2000, encompassing St. Bernard’s Elementary School and St. Bernard’s High School.

The Board of Directors is responsible to ensure the Catholic mission of the school is fulfilled, monitoring the long-range strategic plan and the budget, and adopting and monitoring school policy. The Board consists of a maximum of 8 members with no more than 25 percent of the membership from the current parent community. Agenda and minutes for the meetings of the Board of Directors are available to read in the office.

St. Bernard’s Catholic School is located on several acres in a residential area in the city of Eureka, 272 miles north of San Francisco. In the 2000 census, Eureka had a population of approximately 26,670.

St. Bernard’s Catholic School offers a strong academic program at all grade levels. A balanced, comprehensive literacy program is provided at the elementary level, enhanced by a library and technology lab. The Kindergarten through eighth-grade classes enjoy specialized physical education classes. Spanish, Latin and music are introduced in the first grade, with instruction continuing through eighth grade. The seventh- and eighth-grade students experience departmentalized instruction. Core classes in theology, science, math, social studies, and language arts are balanced with courses in Spanish, Latin, fine arts, physical education, and technology.

The intense high school curriculum, which includes honors programs in science, math, English, social science, and history, as well as advanced placement classes in science, math, English, history, and foreign lanquage, couple with counseling services to prepare students for college. Elective classes are offered in performing and fine arts, technology, Spanish, Latin and physical education. Religion and theology courses are part of every day at all grade levels, with attendance required at monthly all-school Masses and prayer services. Requirements for high school graduation were increased in 2002-2003 in order to meet or exceed the entrance requirements of the University of California and California State University systems. Students must obtain the following credits for graduation: English – 40, Religion – 40, Mathematics – 30, Science – 20, Social Studies and Government – 30, Foreign Language –20, Physical Education – 20, Health – 5, Electives – 20. There is also a requirement of 100 hours of community service. These requirements will continue to increase for incoming freshmen.

Over 90% are involved in one or more co-curricular activity, such as campus ministry, athletics, student government, community service, clubs, and performing arts.

In August of 2006 the elementary school was relocated to the upper campus building and the two schools were merged into one building. Grades first through eighth grades are combined (1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, 5th/6th, 7th/8th), and Kindergarten through eighth grade is located on the first and second floors of the west wing.

Grades K-8 continue to use the lower school blacktop, playground and gym. The lower school campus is also currently used on Sunday by St. Bernard CCD program.

The playground structure was replaced in August 2003, and the yard holds two full basketball courts, as well as painted markings for various games. The Upper Campus is a two-story building with 20 classrooms, administrative offices, a library/media center, college and career center, two science labs, a computer lab, chapel, and auditorium with kitchen and stage. The gymnasium includes two locker rooms, a weight room and training room, and a team room. The field is well maintained and serves baseball, football, soccer, physical education, and student activities.

St. Bernard’s Catholic School provides a clean, safe environment where students and staff can work, learn, and pray together.