CHAPTER 1

Introduction to the school

A. INTRODUCTION

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Name of School: St. Bonaventure School

WCEA Code: E355

School Address: 16377 Bradbury Lane Huntington Beach, California, 92647

School Year of Accreditation Visit: 2025-2026

Visit Dates: 02/12/2026 - 02/14/2026

School Ownership Status: Parish

School Gender Composition: Coeducational

Board/Council Structure: Consultative

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  • Consultative School Board

    The Consultative School Board serves in an advisory capacity, supporting the Principal and Pastor in advancing the school's philosophy and mission. Board members are volunteer parents appointed by the Principal and Pastor. The Board reviews policies, provides recommendations, offers feedback, and supports school leadership as needed. Meetings are open to the school community, and parents, faculty, and staff may submit comments or attend open sessions.

    The School Board operates through standing subcommittees composed of parents, faculty, and staff. These committees collaborate to support the school's mission and strategic priorities.

    2025-2026 Consultative School Board Members

    Sean Holman - President

    Casey Wong - Vice President

    Bethany Day - Secretary

    Jarryd Gonzales - School Board Member

    Ryan O’Gorman - School Board Member

    Giselle Kabbany - School Board Member

    Fr. Vincent Pham - Pastor

    Dr. Richard Yoon - Principal

    Cathy Smith - Business Manager

    Kathleen Moore - Director of Advancement

    Vanessa Frei - Director of Marketing & Enrollment

    Standing Committees and Purposes

    Faith Formation / Catholic Identity

    Promotes Catholic identity and faith formation, supports service and retreat opportunities, strengthens school-parish relationships, and integrates the school’s mission across campus life.

    Governance

    Advises administration on policy matters, supports effective governance structures, and promotes stakeholder understanding and participation in school governance.

    Finance

    Provides guidance on financial planning, budgeting, enrollment, tuition, facilities, and long-term financial sustainability.

    Advancement

    Supports fundraising, alumni relations, annual giving, major events, and long-term development efforts.

    Marketing/Enrollment

    Assists with student recruitment and retention, promotes academic programs, and supports branding and public relations efforts.

    Communications

    Enhances communication across the school and parish community, supports policy communication, and reviews the effectiveness of school publications and messaging.

    Technology

    Leverages parent and community expertise to enhance student learning and improve the effective use of technology across the campus.

    Parent Faculty Association (PFA)

    Supports parental involvement, oversees service opportunities, and provides financial and volunteer support for school programs and events.

    Together, these governance structures and committees ensure collaborative leadership, strong community engagement, and alignment with St. Bonaventure School's mission.

  • The Parent Faculty Association assists with the school’s day-to-day operations by coordinating parent involvement and overseeing most service positions. The PFA supports academic programs, provides funding for teacher appreciation and student enrichment activities, and organizes community-building events such as Grandparents Day, Father-Daughter Dance, Mother-Son Event, and Trunk or Treat. Fundraising efforts throughout the year support the school’s operating budget and include the Annual Gala and the St. Bonaventure Golf Classic.

    PFA members are current parents of St. Bonaventure School students. Officers are selected through a parent-led nominating committee, approved by the Principal and Pastor, and voted on by the PFA Executive Board prior to the end of each school year. PFA meetings are held monthly and are open to all parents.

    2025-2026 PFA Board

    • President: Courtny Mouzakis (Parent)

    • Vice President: Kadie Cotter (Parent)

    • Parliamentarian: Charissa Gonzales (Parent)

    • Treasurer: Katie Dudek (Parent)

    • Secretary: Danielle Murrow (Parent)

    • Service Coordinator: Taylor Marcoly (Parent)

    • Room Mom Coordinators: Jennifer Waycott and Marisa Salazar (Parents)

    • Communications Chair: Erin Pagano (Parent)

    • Fundraising Chair: Lauren Roberts (Parent)

    • Community Chair: Rachel Cruz (Parent)Parent Faculty Association

  • St. Bonaventure School maintains an alumni outreach program coordinated by an Alumni Coordinator who oversees alumni engagement and event planning. The purpose of the alumni organization is to foster ongoing relationships between alumni and the school community, celebrate shared history, and support continued connection to the school’s mission.

    The alumni program operates as an organic, community-based organization open to all graduates of St. Bonaventure School. Leadership is provided by the Alumni Coordinator, who plans and facilitates alumni events and gatherings. Current initiatives include milestone celebrations such as the 50-Year Reunion, alumni meetups during parish festivals, and special reunion events connected to the Presentation Sisters.

    As the school prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary, additional alumni events and engagement opportunities are in development to further strengthen alumni involvement and participation.

B. STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS

C. SCHOOL PERSONNEL DEMOGRAPHICS

D. BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL

  • Established as a ministry of St. Bonaventure Parish, St. Bonaventure Catholic School opened in September 1966 under the leadership of the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Now in its 58th year, the school serves more than 500 students in Transitional Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. In honor of the Presentation Sisters, the school proudly embraces the motto “Not Words, But Deeds,” a guiding principle rooted in the legacy of their founder, Nano Nagle.

    The history of St. Bonaventure Catholic School is closely intertwined with the growth of St. Bonaventure Parish. Under the visionary leadership of Monsignor Michael Duffy, a nine-acre site at Springdale and Heil in Huntington Beach was developed to serve Catholic families in a rapidly growing community. Early parish life began humbly, with Mass celebrated in a warehouse before the construction of the church complex.

    Approved by Bishop Timothy Manning, construction began in 1967, with facilities designed to serve both parish and school needs.

    The school opened in 1966 with 243 students, guided by the Presentation Sisters. Sister Raphael “Carmel” Lynch, the founding principal, established a strong academic and spiritual foundation that continues to shape the school’s Catholic identity. Over the decades, successive pastors have supported the school’s growth and development, including the expansion of facilities, strengthening of the school’s endowment, and enhancement of campus infrastructure. Notable contributions include the construction of additional classrooms, the creation of the Duffy Center, and major renovations to the church and chapel.

  • Since the last WCEA accreditation visit, St. Bonaventure School has experienced three administrative leadership transitions, reflecting a period of renewal and growth. These transitions have strengthened systems, refined strategic priorities, and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to its mission and Catholic identity. In July 2023, Father Vincent Pham was appointed pastor, succeeding Father Joseph Knerr, and continues to support the school’s mission and long-term vision.

    Through decades of faithful service, strong pastoral leadership, and dedication to Catholic education, St. Bonaventure Catholic School remains a vibrant ministry committed to forming students in faith, academic excellence, and service.

E. MOST SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN SCHOOL LIFE SINCE THE LAST SELF-STUDY

    • Strengthened faith integration through the incorporation of HALOS Core Values, a partnership with Hallow, and grade-level and schoolwide retreats led by the campus minister and Hallow, supporting the development of the whole person (head, heart, and hands) and “see, celebrate, and live” model of faith formation

    • Spiritual formation has been expanded through grade-level and schoolwide retreats, weekly schoolwide Mass, monthly Sunday Family Masses, and Faith Family activities that actively engage students in grades TK-8

    • Partnership with Hallow has provided families with accessible tools to support prayer and faith formation at home

    • Developed and implemented a comprehensive schoolwide wellness program, and in the 2025–2026 school year, expanded services by hiring a full-time school counselor

    • Integrated grade-level retreats that address social-emotional and spiritual growth, as well as the intentional purchase of equipment for recess and lunchtime to support healthy physical activity and meet students’ developmental energy needs, and incorporated ARK assessments to support consistent evaluation of student understanding and intentionally embedded religion standards within curriculum maps and reinforced through cross-curricular integration, ensuring that faith formation extends beyond religion class into all subject areas

    • Established a systematic and collaborative Diversified Learning Support (DLS)

    • Program model designed to partner with teachers and families in supporting students with diverse learning needs. DLS services are provided both in the classroom and at the DLS Center. These services are guided by professional evaluations and tailored support plans that aim to promote academic growth, independence, and confidence in students.

    • Ongoing monthly faculty faith formation opportunities, led by the campus minister and parish clergy, further strengthen faculty understanding, with knowledge and practices filtering directly into classroom teaching

  • Weekly Student Body Mass

  • Sunday Family Masses with Grade Level Participation

  • The Traveling Crucifix

  • Hallow in the Classroom

  • Hallow in TK

  • Student Choir at Weekly Mass

  • Jr. High Retreat at Rosary

  • All School Retreat by Hallow

  • HALOS and Saints Assemblies

  • Our Lady of Guadalupe Prayer Service

  • Living Rosary

  • Faculty Faith Formation

  • Father Son Retreat

  • Parent Faculty Association

  • Faith Families