Of our Claretian parishes, four are responsible for thriving parochial schools – three at the elementary level and one at the high school level. At San Gabriel Mission, one of the original Spanish missions in California, a well-trained staff provides both an excellent elementary school program and an outstanding all-girls high school. Graduates go on to succeed in college and in a wide variety of careers.
These schools promote high academic and behavioral standards, stressing the importance of faith development and outreach to the community. One parish provides a preschool program with particular attention paid to children of immigrants and refugees.
Claretians have been at the forefront in establishing alternative, or second-chance, high schools for youth who have dropped out. Many children from low-income families benefit from scholarship programs offered in Claretian-sponsored ministries.
Claretians serve on the seminary faculties at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, IL, and the Mexican American Catholic College in San Antonio, TX. Our missionaries also serve as Campus Chaplains at Fresno State University in Fresno, CA. They provide enrichment opportunities for students, particularly in religious formation and volunteer programs.
Our Lady of Guadalupe School
Chicago, IL
Attached to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, this school serves approximately 200 students, 97% of whom receive free or reduced lunches in grades K through 8. We use scholarships, a low student-to-teacher ratio, dedicated and committed teachers, and annual standards testing to create a faith-based education for the next generation of community leaders.
San Gabriel Mission Elementary School
San Gabriel, CA
This elementary school is one of California’s oldest K through 8th grade parish schools. The Claretians made plans to open a school to serve Spanish and Mexican families when they began ministering to the parish in 1908. Since then, San Gabriel Elementary has been committed to academic excellence through a standards-based curriculum enriched by the Dominican and Claretian charisms of sharing the Word and Truth of Jesus Christ.
San Gabriel Mission High School
San Gabriel, CA
This all-girls high school has served young women from diverse ethnic backgrounds for more than 60 years. It is located on the historic grounds of San Gabriel Mission. It offers each student the opportunity to grow and mature through Christian formation, to pursue academic excellence, to cultivate respect toward self and others, and to participate in Christian service.
St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School
Jersey City, NJ
Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary School is dedicated to preparing its students spiritually, academically, socially, technologically, physically, and emotionally for the future. Their shared efforts are directed toward creating a peaceable school environment rich in diverse opportunities that support academic challenge for a multicultural population.
Higher Education
From the West Coast to the East Coast, in seven states and Canada, the Claretians are engaged in a creative prophetic response to serving the needs of young people.
Mexican American Catholic College
San Antonio, TX
The Mexican American Catholic College has been associated with the Claretian Missionaries since its foundation as the Mexican American Cultural Center in 1972. Initially founded to provide programs highlighting Mexican Catholic culture and Spanish immersion programs, it transitioned to an institution of higher education in 2008. Today, the Claretian Missionaries remain involved in this unique educational experience.
Catholic Theological Union
Chicago, IL
Chicago Theological Union (CTU) opened in 1968 under the auspices of religious congregations that combined their theological schools. Following the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the goal of CTU was to locate the new seminary in an urban setting, near a major university, and foster ecumenical outreach. Hyde Park, the home of the University of Chicago, was selected as CTU’s home. The Claretians began sending seminarians to CTU in 1972 and subsequently created Claret House as a residence for students. Becoming a corporate member in 1979, we have provided administrative and faculty staff for the seminary as well as being the site of the Province’s theological education program.
Collège Clarétain
Victoriaville, Québec Canada
The Collège Clarétain in Victoriaville, Québec became the first Claretian mission in Canada. Opening its doors in October 1954 as a minor seminary, our goal was to train French-speaking Claretian missionaries. With the changes in seminary training in the 1960s, the Collège Clarétain transitioned to a Catholic high school open to all students. As a private high school, Collège Clarétain offers a valuable living experience that provides young adults with a healthy and constructive environment along with a caring and quality education.