History

About ICA

Immaculate Conception Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school, offers a college-preparatory education in the Dominican tradition that promotes academic excellence, life-long learning skills, and service to God, family and community. A supportive environment encourages a diverse student body to be women of faith, learning, community, leadership and vision.

History

Immaculate Conception Academy, a four-year Catholic high school for young women, was founded in 1883 by Sister Maria Pia Backes, O.P. It is sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of the Queen of the Holy Rosary of Mission San Jose, California.

Although the school was begun in 1883, a full four-year program was not offered until 1908. Immaculate Conception Academy was accredited to the University of California in 1915 and advanced to "A" rating in 1934. In 1962 the Academy became a charter member of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). ICA has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges through 2012.

In 1955, a lot at the corner of Twenty-Fourth and Fair Oaks Streets was purchased for school expansion. For thirty years this property was used as a courtyard, but in May 1986, construction was completed on a classroom/gymnasium annex. Herbst Hall. In 1994, a downstairs area of the adjacent convent was renovated to provide three additional classrooms. In March 1995, the school celebrated the conclusion of a successful capital campaign to establish a three million-dollar endowment. In January 1998, state-of-the-art technology became a reality with two fully equipped computer labs, every classroom and office with its own workplace and all connected to the World Wide Web.



Symbolism of the ICA Shield

The shield of Immaculate Conception Academy is based upon the traditional shield of the Dominican Order. Saint Dominic established the Dominican Order in 1206. The particular gift of Saint Dominic to the Church was to found an order whose members were dedicated to proclaiming truth and the Gospel message through preaching and teaching.

The Dominican motto, Veritas (Truth), names the school's ideal and responsibility to assist students to search for Truth and to live out the truth of the Gospel through a curriculum that helps students develop their intellects, their sense of right and wrong and their basic values.

The shield includes two branches. The lily branch on the left symbolizes Dominic's life of single-minded devotion to Christ's work. The palm branch symbolizes the unity and peace that brothers and sisters in the family of God should strive to achieve.

The crown represents Mary, the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the school, under whose intercession the faculty and staff seek to educate the students with a reverent understanding of the dignity and role of womanhood in the Church and the world.

The star in the crown represents the school's effort to educate students to be public witnesses to their Catholic faith, especially by giving service to the wider civic and Church communities. The five points of the star indicate the goals of the school: to provide for the intellectual, spiritual, psychological, physical and social development of each young woman. The rosary is the prayer traditionally attributed to Saint Dominic.



ICA's Timeline

1883 to 1908

From its beginning in 1883 to ICA’s silver jubilee in 1908, numerous challenges were successfully met by Mother Maria Pia Backes and the courageous women who worked with her. All that Mother Pia accomplished was done in the spirit of St. Dominic, the 12th century man of God whose life and charism inspired her and all members of the Order of Preachers to praise, to bless and to preach. Those first twenty-five years saw the realities of purchasing land, erecting buildings, establishing curriculum, recruiting new members for the community and for the school, and witnessing the dawn of a new century. Just as it seemed that all was well, San Francisco was struck by a violent earthquake followed by a devastating fire. The sisters offered grateful prayers to God that ICA was spared damage and could continue its mission of educating young women.

1908 to 1933

In the next twenty-five years ICA was drawn into the wider world outside of San Francisco. As the US entered World War I, students supported war bond drives and purchased savings stamps. Their participation in the war effort was augmented by student-led prayer groups. The entire ICA community mourned when, on February 8, 1925, Mother Pia died at Mission San Jose. In 1928, a new Academy was built at the corner of 24th and Guerrero Streets and the following year, 1929, the country slipped into the Great Depression. Although the financial challenges were daunting to the school, they were weathered. In 1933, ICA gratefully celebrated the Golden Jubilee of its founding.

1933 to 1958

As the country pulled out of the depression, the world found itself at war again. During the conflict, patriotic Spartans gave their time and energy to paper and scrap drives, to war bond rallies and to fervent prayers for an end to war and for a just and lasting peace. So dedicated were these young women that for one year, the Prom was suspended and the money used to purchase war bonds. As this twenty-five year period came to a close in 1958, ICA celebrated its Diamond Jubilee.

1958 to 1983

Times were changing and ICA embraced change while still treasuring tradition and heritage. Early in this period, the decision was made to close the boarding school. At the same time, in 1960, the original convent was demolished and the priory which stands in its place today was erected at 1212 Guerrero Street. All during the 1960’s, the Academy remained strongly committed to educating young women who would enter a turbulent world as people of faith, vision and leadership. In the 1970’s ICA grew physically. By 1978, a new cafeteria and four new classrooms improved the quality of student life. This was followed by a complete renovation of the office area. The Academy also began a $3.2 million campaign, successfully raising the money for Herbst Hall, which contained a gymnasium, three classrooms, a chapel, and office space. This time period ended with a joyous celebration of the Academy’s Centenary.

1983 to 2009 — "ICA Goes Cristo Rey"

Between 2007-2008, after a decision made by the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose and with the support of ICA's Board of Directors, the school completed a feasibility study and requested to become a member of the National Cristo Rey Network of schools. This action was prompted by the desire to strengthen and continue ICA's mission to students coming from financially challenged families. Cristo Rey schools shift the funding source from parents, who only pay a minimum amount of tuition, to businesses partnering with the school and substantially contributing funding for the cost of education. By alleviating the burden of rising tuition costs for families, ICA could become more affordable for many deserving but needy students who otherwise might not consider applying. Member schools in the Cristo Rey Network utilize a longer school day and year, academic assistance, and counseling to prepare students with a broad range of academic abilities for college.

All students at Cristo Rey Network schools participate in a work-study program through which they are hired for entry level corporate work five days a month, thereby earning the majority of the cost of their education from their employment. Teams of 4 students rotating work days comprise one full-time employee for the sponsoring companies. The work helps students gain real world job experience, grow in self-confidence, and realize the relevance of their education.

In July, 2008, ICA was accepted as an associate member in the Cristo Rey Network and spent the 2008-2009 school year preparing for the transition into operation as a Cristo Rey school. In August, 2009, following a two week training period for all ICA students to better prepare them for their corporate jobs, ICA began the academic year as the 24th school in the Network and the first all-girls' Cristo Rey school. In December, 2009, ICA was voted into full membership in the Cristo Rey Network.



One hundred and twenty-seven years of abundant gratitude! These last 27, like all the others, have been years of challenge, growth, and change, years of countless blessings from the loving hands of our God. While many San Francisco girls’ high schools closed in this period, ICA still stands, committed to living out the mission Mother Pia began 127 years ago. Thousands of graduates of the Academy have grown into adulthood equipped with the faith, knowledge, vision, leadership skills and sense of community to make a difference in the world. In this last period, vast changes in technology, educational theory and economics have brought into question how things will get done, but never why. ICA remains committed to promoting academic excellence, valuing intellectual and personal integrity and preparing the young women to live meaningful Catholic / Christian lives.

During her long history, ICA has offered an opportunity for countless struggling families to provide for their daughters quality Catholic secondary education. As we begin our 128th year, we are affirming that focus during these challenging economic times as a full member in the Cristo Rey Network.