1864
San Xavier Mission School has a long and rich history, beginning with its founding by Mr. Vincent under the guardianship of Bishop Salpointe. San Xavier Mission School was the first Catholic school in Arizona. The school closed by the end of August 1864 due to lack of funds and the Jesuits were recalled back to Santa Clara, CA. The school reopened under the care of an Indian agent and the tutelage of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
1874
The San Xavier Indian Reservation was established by executive order of the federal government. The school closed two years later when the Indian agencies were consolidated and the Indian agent moved to the Gila River Indian Reservation.
1888
the Sisters of St. Joseph reopened the school with grades 1 – 4. Various sources of funding supported the school during the 44 years that the Sisters of St. Joseph served the community. These sources included the families of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the religious community of the Sisters of St. Joseph, as well as other benefactors and the federal government of the United States.
1940
The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity from Manitowoc, Wisconsin arrived at San Xavier Mission School. The Sisters worked to expand the school through eighth grade. Classes were held in three classrooms attached to the back of the San Xavier Mission. There were sixty-six students, aged five to twenty. San Xavier Mission School is part of the Diocese of Tucson around this time. It is a mission school in partnership with the community within the system of the DIocese of Tucson.
1945
A new school was built which provided two classrooms with a hall and a stage.
1950's
Two additional classrooms were added.
1977
The hall became a cafeteria, and a playground area was cleared north of the school.
1981
A single wide trailer provided a kindergarten classroom for the school. The first kindergarten teachers were two Tohono O’odham women who had been aides at the school.
1986
The Fairfield Corporation of Tucson became aware of the growing needs of the school, and along with a group of sub-contractors, Fairfield donated services and materials to remodel the school. The open patio was enclosed to make space for a library and two offices and another roof was added to create a proper kindergarten classroom.
1988
The school continued to expand in the fall as portable classrooms were provided for first and second grades.
1994
The school was chosen to be the beneficiaries of the Iowa Equity Insurance Company which resulted in the building of a new playground. Parents, children and staff were involved in the process.
2000
Sister Jackie Koenig was principal for three years before she, staff and parents fundraised for the expansion of the school. They worked hard to receive the Angel Charity for Children Grant to build additional classrooms, computer lab, offices and restrooms.
1980 W San Xavier Rd Tucson, AZ 85746
School Office Hours:
Monday – Friday from 8am to 4pm
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