THE SALESIAN MISSION
Salesian Elementary and Junior High School is a TK-8 private Catholic elementary and junior high school working cooperatively with the Diocese of Monterey to provide a child-centered learning environment within a family atmosphere that embodies the Salesian philosophy of reason, religion, and loving kindness as taught by Saint John Bosco and Saint Mary Mazzarello.
Following the tradition of Saint John Bosco: we are a HOME where love and joy nurture a family of faith, we are a SCHOOL that fosters a passion for learning and supports the success of each student, we are a CHURCH that is inspired by our Marian tradition and promotes living the Gospel values, and we are a PLAYGROUND that builds character and lasting friendships.
PHILOSOPHY
Salesian Elementary and Junior High School is a Catholic School founded in the charism of Saint John Bosco and the spirit of Saint Mary Mazzarello. We are a community of students, parents, teachers, staff, and religious who commit ourselves to education through our Catholic and Salesian heritage. In partnership with parents, who are “the first and foremost educators of their children,” we are guided by St. John Bosco’s educational approach of reason, religion, and loving kindness. We create a family spirit of joy and friendliness coupled with a firm resolve that students demonstrate personal responsibility, discipline, academic potential, and respect towards all of God’s creation.
As a Salesian Family we nurture the religious, moral, academic, cultural, social, and physical development of each child. We form a community of faith in which children and adults experience the Gospel in daily life. Through comprehensive instruction, high academic standards, and implementation of the Common CORE Standards, students will develop an internal curiosity for learning. Building Gospel values, global awareness, and a sense of belonging to “the parish, the neighborhood, the local civic community, and the world,” we fulfill Don Bosco’s dream of forming the young to be good Christians and honest citizens.
SALESIAN HISTORY
2018 marks Salesian's 40th year since opening its doors to the young here on our
beautiful hillside campus. However, the story goes back much further than that...
1872
Thanks to two saints, St. John Bosco and St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello, the Salesian Sisters came into being in 1872 in Mornese, a little mountain village of northern Italy.
1908
The first four Salesian sisters arrived to the United States, in New York.
1975
The Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco owned and occupied the historic Sesnon-Porter home in Aptos, where they ran a high school for candidates and a thriving summer camp. However, Cabrillo Community College needed the property for expansion, and the Sisters had to sell. Relying on God's help, the sisters discovered a beautiful, hidden-away plot of land in the hills of Corralitos and purchased it from the generous Enos Family. A fond relationship between the school and descendants of Joseph and Mary Enos continues, many decades later. This photo of Joseph and Mary was given to the school as a gift from the Enos Family at an Alumni-and-Friends event in 2018.
1976
The Salesian Sisters transformed their hillside property with the construction of four multipurpose cabins, a kitchen, and a cafeteria, basketball and tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a playfield. A novitiate to train young women wanting to become Sisters was established, and a summer camp started. Thus, “Mary Help of Christians Youth Center” was born.
1978
It was finally decided to have a K-8 school, but to begin with Grades 5 through 8, followed with Kinder and Grade 1, and to fill in the gap year by year. The Salesian Sisters would have to wait another twelve years for their convent, but they had the joy of seeing the school building completed and Salesian Sisters School (later renamed Salesian Elementary and Junior High School) opened its door to students on September 1, 1978.
2008-2009
The school began its 30th year of existence. God’s blessings, and many sacrifices made by the Sisters and lay teachers, as well as the school’s friends and patrons, brought the school into existence and have kept it thriving over the years. The cooperation of so many supporters and the accomplishments and spirit of the students have made it all worthwhile.
2016-2017
In 2016 Salesian received and Ocean Guardian Project Grant and the students were challenged to propose and implement conservation projects which would be evaluated at the end of 1 trial year. Based on the incredible efforts of our students and the outstanding results of their projects Salesian was officially recognized and an Ocean Guardian School in 2017. Since earning this title the student continue to tackle new projects year after year. How blessed we are to have 50 acres of land to utilize!
2018-2019
Salesian Elementary and Junior High School, celebrated it's 40th Anniversary on February 2, 2019! The celebration was open to EVERYONE who has loved and been loved by Salesian for the past four decades. Once Salesian, Always Salesian!
To learn more about the Sisters of Our Lady Help of Christians follow these links:
