Sacred Heart Nativity School and Our Lady of Grace
Started with a Vision
The late Monsignor Mateo Sheedy saw the children of his parish struggle to finish high school, so he envisioned a transformative middle school to provide access to teachers and an inspiring curriculum that prepares students to succeed in college-prep high schools. His dream school would provide the academic, spiritual, and emotional support needed to break the cycle of poverty through education. In early 2000, Fr. Mateo invited a Jesuit priest, Fr. Peter Pabst, S.J. to undertake the project, bringing with him the Nativity model of education.
Nativity Model Influenced by Jesuit Teaching
As we celebrate our 21st year, Our Lady of Grace and Sacred Heart Nativity Schools remain the only non-profit, private Catholic middle schools in San Jose focused on academic intervention for students from underserved communities. The Nativity model includes longer school days, weekend programming, and an extended school year that includes summer school. We couple this structure with a Jesuit-informed program providing a holistic education that supports the growth and development of a child intellectually, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Most students live in the Washington/Guadalupe neighborhood on the outskirts of downtown San Jose. It is a vibrant but poor area that houses a dense, immigrant population. Our school families earn an average of $34,000 annually and regularly face financial and food insecurities, and language barriers that can impact the social and emotional health of children. Students enter the school testing 1-2 grades behind in English and math but regularly test at or above grade level by 8th grade. This sets them on a path that provides an opportunity for them to be the first in their families to graduate from college.
Supporting Students Beyond Graduation
Another part of the Nativity model is to support students after graduation to foster their continued development, achievement, and contribution to their communities. The Graduate Support team works with students and their families to insure they are prepared to take on the rigors of high school, and continues support throughout high school and beyond.
Thank you for learning more about Nativity, and please consider helping us maintain this nurturing environment and live our mission of: