About Saint Ann School

School Policy

School Mission

School Philosophy

School-wide
Learning Expectations

School History

In 1946, the resident pastor, Father Francis Pointek of the Church of Santa Barbara in Randsburg, decided to initiate steps to establish a permanent Ridgecrest facility, which was named Church of Saint Ann. Father Pointek took up residence at Saint Ann's and Santa Barbara of Randsburg became part of this new parish. Because of the growth of the communities of Ridgecrest, China Lake, and Inyokern, a school was built to meet the educational and religious needs of the children of the parish. A four classroom school building was constructed and the new Saint Ann School went into operation in 1952.

During that first year, four classes were in operation, the first through the fourth grades. Total enrollment was 100-110. The school was initially staffed by the Handmaids of Mary Immaculate of the Diocese of Helena. In the summer of 1954, fire gutted the school building. For the next year, classes were held in the old Rowe Street huts in China Lake. In September 1955 classes resumed in the rebuilt school in Ridgecrest. Sister Mary Bridget, a Dominican nun, was principal and first grade teacher. Enrollment was a constant at 100-110.

In 1956 the fifth grade was added, the sixth in 1957, the seventh in 1958, and the eighth in 1959. Construction of an additional four classrooms was started in 1959 and completed in 1961. In 1969 Sister Claudine and Sister Gabriel of the Holy Name Sisters joined the school staff. Sister Claudine became principal as well as full-time teacher. Sister Joan and Sister Barbara of the Dominican Order arrived in 1970. During this period, Saint Ann School had a staff of 50% religious and 50% lay teachers. Enrollment was 240 - 250 students.

In 1977 Father Heffernan became pastor of Saint Ann Church. In 1978 Sister Kay, Sister Frances, and Sister Paula of the Dominican Order replaced Sister Claudine and Sister Gabriel, who were transferred. In 1979 Father Heffernan and Sister Kay established a kindergarten and a ninth grade after Sierra Sands Unified School District decided to expand the junior high concept to seventh, eighth and ninth grades. Due to this expansion, an additional wing was built. With the addition of kindergarten and ninth grades, the school enrollment was 270 -275 students.

Monsignor Cleary replaced Father Heffernan in 1980. In 1981 the School Board eliminated the ninth grade and maintained a kindergarten through eighth grade format. Mrs. Carol Brown was asked to be principal and part-time sixth grade teacher. In 1982 the School Board eliminated the seventh and eighth grades and acquired a full- time principal, Mr. Dan Clark. Mr. Stan Kus was principal from 1985 - 1989. Current principal, Clara Finneran, was hired in 1999 and the current pastor is Fr. Gamel.

The school remained at kindergarten through sixth grade through June 1995. Beginning with the 1995 to 1996 school year, the academic structure was Kindergarten through fifth grades, in order to align the school with the Sierra Sands Unified School District. Sixth grade was reinstated for the 1997-1998 school year. Seventh grade was added in 1998, Eighth grade was added for the 1999-2000 school year.