General Information

A Brief History of the School

Father Arthur J. Cantwell became pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in 1942. Under his leadership, St. Elizabeth Parish succeeded in transforming the dream of a school into a reality. Parishioners helped with a bazaar, social events, and fund drives. On December 11, 1949, St. Elizabeth School and Convent, at a cost of one-half million dollars, was dedicated in a ceremony conducted by Archbishop John J. Mitty of San Francisco.

A reinforced concrete building, the school was visualized as an ideal combination of school, auditorium, parish hall, and cafeteria. It has effectively fulfilled that vision. St. Elizabeth School has nine classrooms, three resource rooms, a computer lab, a library, administrative offices, a faculty room, an auditorium and stage, a special education room, an extended care area, two kitchens (parish and school), and a gymnasium.

Today, St. Elizabeth still stands as a thriving example of education, community, and parish, and is indeed a jewel in the Portola District.