History

St. Lawrence Elementary School was established in 1961 by the founding pastor, Rev. Victor Wilkiemeyer. Staffed by the Sisters of Loretto, the school grew from grades 1-3 to include grades 1-6. A kindergarten was added followed by an extended care program for the students of working parents and a computer lab to develop technology skills for students. In 1993, St. Lawrence Elementary School opened the first licensed PreK program in the diocese of San Jose. The following year grade 7 was added with grade 8 following the next year. Both the Elementary and Middle Schools are part of St. Lawrence Education Center, Pre-kindergarten through grade twelve schools operated by St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish

The school serves one class of each grade in elementary school, grades preK - 5, and two classes per grade in the departmentalized middle school, grades 6 - 8. Classes in the fine arts, physical education, music and art are offered in addition to the academic program; and technology is integrated throughout the curriculum. An extended care program is available for students whose parents cannot pick them up at the end of school. During the after-school time, piano and string lessons are available, the St. Lawrence Swim Team practices, Homework Clinic is available, and after-school athletic teams practice and play.

The St. Lawrence student community is diverse, and the school serves students from both the parish and surrounding communities, both in and outside of Santa Clara County. Ethnic diversity mirrors that of Santa Clara County. The student body is approximately 80% Roman Catholic with other major religions well represented.

A History of Innovation

St. Lawrence has pioneered and offered many unique facilities and programs, several of which have been adopted by our peer schools. Take a look at some of those firsts that constitute the St. Lawrence Advantage:

• Licensed Pre-Kindergarten
• Science lab
• Teen Center
• Summer Camp/Winter Camp
• Separate Middle School
• Computer center in each classroom
• Swimming pool
• Wireless campus for technology
• 1 to 1 computer initiative in the Middle School
• PowerSchool on-line grade access
• Year-round extended care with separate facilities for Pre-K, grades K-5, and grades 6-8
• Parent workshops for navigating the high school application process

The well-prepared faculty and staff are dedicated to the philosophy, mission and schoolwide learning expectations of the school, which focus on preparing the students spiritually, intellectually, and personally to Believe, Achieve, and Succeed both today and in the future.