While in San Diego, the Sisters met Father Ubach, pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Old Town. After this meeting, Father Ubach began his many appeals for Sisters to start a school in his territory. In 1875, Father Ubach built St. Joseph’s Church in Horton’s New Town and continued to press for a school.Finally on April 18, 1882, the first permanent community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet arrived in San Diego and rented two small frame houses at Second and "G" Streets. On May 10 they began their day school in one of the houses with 28 girls and two boys, and on June 13, the first Mass was said in the Convent Chapel which was dedicated to Our Lady of Peace.

Within two years enrollment increased and the two houses became inadequate, so the Sisters purchased land at Third and "A" Streets. Academy Hall on Third near "B" and St. Joseph’s Boys’ School on Second near "B" were built in the next 10 years.

By the mid-1920s it was necessary to expand again and in 1924 the Sisters of St. Joseph acquired the former Vandruff Estate at Copley and Oregon Streets. The 20 acres of land overlooking Mission Valley had spacious gardens, a swimming pool and three large buildings begun in 1916. Two had been planned as residences and the third as a scientific laboratory. These buildings were the nucleus of the present day Academy of Our Lady of Peace.

In 1996 construction began on the Academy’s Holy Family Event Center. Housing a gymnasium/multi-purpose facility, a weight training room, athletics offices, and a kitchen. This building was dedicated on October 26, 1997.

 

MISSION STATEMENT

The Academy of Our Lady of Peace is a Catholic secondary school for young women sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The mission of the Academy is twofold: to assist and enable parents to fulfill their role as the primary educators, and to inspire its students to grow as committed Christians who are building Christ’s kingdom of justice, love and peace. Through a college preparatory liberal arts program, each student is challenged to become a responsible woman educated to the needs of society.

 

TRADITIONS & ACTIVITIES

Carondelet Circle
A school-wide service organization consisting of students who officially represent the Academy at formal community events. Named after the title of the first American foundation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Carondelet Circle members act as hostesses for visitors on campus, as ushers at special school events, and as speakers who are eager to share with guests the history of OLP and their personal experience of campus life.

Father-Daughter Night
A dinner dance held for seniors and their fathers in the fall.

Mother-Daughter Luncheon
An afternoon event held for seniors and their mothers in the spring.

Grandparents Day
A day when grandparents join their granddaughters on campus, visit classes and enjoy a luncheon together.

Candlelight Procession
An Advent celebration featuring living tableaus of the Gospel story of the Nativity and the singing of Christmas carols.

Miss OLP
A recognition of those students who most represent the spirit of OLP. Fathers traditionally present their daughters at a formal assembly on campus, followed by a semi-formal dance for all students.

Spring Sing
A musical extravaganza featuring each of the classes in a song, dance and dramatic presentation of a selected theme. Class competition results in the awarding of ribbons and the coveted plaque for the performance deemed best by a panel of judges.

St. Joseph’s Day
Special celebration in honor of St. Joseph, the patron of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the co-patron of the school. The senior who most epitomizes the spirit of St. Joseph is recognized.

Parish Day
A day set when representatives from our students' parishes and churches are invited to share lunch with the OLP students who are their parishioners.

Community/Play Day
A day set aside in the spring for community-wide celebration, competitive games and outdoor lunch. Proceeds traditionally support both local and foreign missions.

Awards Days
Special ceremonies honor the underclasswomen (in June) and the seniors (Baccalaureate Day) who have demonstrated outstanding levels of academic achievement and service to the school and community.

Leadership Development Program
It is a long-standing tradition at the Academy to foster the leadership development of its students through curricular offerings and co-curricular programs including student government, the CSJ Leadership Conference, Campus Ministry, Peer Leadership, Cheerleading, Athletics, Carondelet Circle, Spring Sing and Drama.

 

SPECIAL CLASS ACTIVITIES

Senior Class
FATHER-DAUGHTER NIGHT---A dinner dance just for dads and daughters
MOTHER-DAUGHTER LUNCHEON---A day out just for moms and daughters
SENIOR RETREAT---An optional three-day retreat in the Ignatian style
GRAD NIGHT---A night at Disneyland
SENIOR PRIVILEGE DAY---A day with no classes, traditionally selected as the day after Grad Night
PROM---A formal dinner-dance by both OLP and St. Augustine High School
BACCALAUREATE MASS---A Special mass for graduates, their parents and selected guests
BIG-LITTLE SISTER PROGRAM---Seniors interact with their sophomore Little Sisters several times during the year
SOBER GRAD NIGHT---Commencement night event

Junior Class
BIG-LITTLE SISTER PROGRAM---Juniors act as Big Sisters to the Freshman Class, sponsoring welcome activity in the fall and other special events scheduled throughout the year
UNITY CEREMONY---A prayer celebration recognizing the unity and status of the juniors as upperclasswomen; the junior class is blessed at this ceremony
JUNIOR RETREAT---A day of prayer centered around the symbol of bread as food, as shared gift, as Eucharist
PROM---A formal dinner-dance by both OLP and St. Augustine High School

Sophomore Class
SOPHOMORE SOCIAL---An activity for sophomores at OLP and St. Augustine; themes vary each year
SOPHOMORE RETREAT---A day of prayer focusing on responsibility within a Christian community
BIG-LITTLE SISTER PROGRAM---Seniors interact with their sophomore Little Sisters several times during the year

Freshman Class
FRESHMAN ORIENTATION---Special events that acquaint new students to OLP
FRESHMAN DANCE---An activity for freshmen at OLP and St. Augustine; traditionally scheduled in the first month of school
BIG-LITTLE SISTER PROGRAM---Freshmen are formally welcomed as members of the OLP community by the Junior Class; special events are scheduled throughout the year
FRESHMAN RETREAT---A day of prayer centered on community building.

 

ALMA MATER

Set on a hill over valley royal, mountain and sea afar,
built by a love and devotion loyal, stands Villa Montemar.
Though years may pass, other cares abringing, and you may not be near,
turn back your thoughts, your hearts are singing to those memories dear.
So sing to Villa Montemar, where our hearts will be always;
Sing once more to Our Lady of Peace, who deserves all our tribute and praise.
With your shoulders back and heads up high, and a bright gleam in your eye,
Stand and cheer, loyal daughter,
For your Alma Mater, With a hail, hail, hail.
— Ada Nisbet ’24