About St. James School
St. James is a K-8 Catholic elementary school nestled between the Mission District and Noe Valley, two of San Francisco's most dynamic and vibrant communities. Centrally located in the City, St. James School can be found on a quiet residential street where we have been good neighbors for more than a hundred years.
Today, 150 families represent the best of our school community. Generations of San Franciscans have attended St. James; current students can point to their parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and in a few cases, grandparents in the graduation photos that adorn our halls. Needless to say, the Bay Area is well represented in both our current families and in our alumni community. True to St. James School history, this coming together of locals and newcomers deepens our spirit and sense of pride, our emphasis on generosity and understanding. Community remains a central theme for our school.
Come and see St. James in action! Click here for more information on our Tours or contact us at office@saintjamesSF.org or call 415-647-8972.
Our annual family led & organized St. James School Walk-a-Thon!
Our History: A mission of faith, a tradition of excellence.
In 1876, Mother Pia Backes, traveling with two other Dominican Sisters, boarded a train in New York heading for San Francisco with the goal of teaching German immigrant children of the Mission District. As the school grew, more sisters joined and, by 1883, Immaculate Conception Academy was established. The Sisters’ educational ministry expanded with the opening of St. Thomas School for Boys in 1900 on the corner of 24th and Guerrero Streets. Eight years later, St. James Boys School was built at 23rd and Fair Oaks Streets, replacing St. Thomas School. The new school was staffed by the Brothers of Mary (Marianists) and included Grades 4 through 8.
In 1924, Monsignor Patrick Quinn, second pastor of St. James Parish, realized his dream of having a parish school for girls independent from the Academy. Under the direction of Sister Bernarda Hornung, the first principal, girls in Grades 1 through 8 and boys in Grades 1 through 3 were taught at the new St. James Girls School at 24th and Fair Oaks Streets.
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In 1950, when the Marianists left to establish Riordan High School, the Dominican Sisters undertook the staffing of St. James and for twenty years maintained the schools as separate units. In 1970, under the direction of Sister Rosalinda Henriques, the Boys School merged with the Girls School.
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Today, while under the direction and supervision of lay administration, we still honor our affiliation with Dominican Sisters and the unshakeable foundation of faith and education they built under Mother Pia's leadership for generations of St. James students.