In 1960 the
former elementary school, with an additional wing housing the home
economics and science labs, the office and library, became St.
Matthias Catholic Girls' High School under the pastorate of Monsignor
Patrick Shear. Seventy-nine girls formed the first ninth grade class.
The pioneer graduating class of fifty-four girls presented the school
with the bronze plaque of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, which is
displayed in front of the school. The beautiful marble St. Matthias
statue, temporarily on the property of St. Matthias Church, was the
gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Bartram, in memory of their daughter Glenda
(class of 1964) and son John, who were killed in a car accident on
July 10, 1963.
From the time of its grade school history
through its establishment as a high school, the Sisters of Notre Dame
administered and staffed the school. Sister Mary Joel was the first
principal of the high school (1960-1967). She was followed by Sister
Mary La Tier (now Sister Mary Sheila, 1967-1972). The last Sister of
Notre Dame principal was Sister Mary Louise (1972-1980).
Although
St. Matthias High School continued to meet the needs of its small
family (averaging a student body of 334 girls a year), it became
apparent that the parish could not continue to subsidize the school.
In 1979 the Archdiocese assumed charge of the school, and the Sisters
of Notre Dame relinquished its administration but promised to
contribute to its staffing. During the transition year, Sister Mary
Louise remained as principal. From 1980-1983, Father Patrick
Comerford assumed the principalship, and in 1983, the administration
was placed in the hands of Nancy Jo Coonis. In May of 2000, Nancy
Coonis was appointed Superintendent of Secondary Schools for the
Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and Dr. Mark Ryan served as principal
from 2000-2002. Mrs. Carolyn Sermeno served as principal from
2002-2005. Margaret Meland served as principal from 2005-2009. Jane
Atencio is currently the principal of St. Matthias High School.
In
July of 1995, the St. Matthias campus was relocated on the campus of
the newly co-institutional Pius X-St. Matthias High School, where the
Pius X program was phased out over a three-year period. In the fall
of 1998, the co-institutional format reverted to the St. Matthias
program alone, again becoming St. Matthias High School.
St.
Matthias High School, accredited by the Western Association of
Secondary Schools and Colleges, offers a curriculum that includes
general academics as well as honors and Advanced Placement courses to
provide for the needs of its diverse student population. The family
spirit that has characterized St. Matthias High School from its
beginnings remains.
St. Matthias High School was recognized as
a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of
Education in May of 2002.