Nativity Catholic School in Hollywood opened its educational doors 50 years ago with an enrollment of 240 students in first through fourth grades. Classes took place at Chaminade High School because the fledgling school didn’t have walls of its own. Fast forward to present day, Nativity School has grown to 900 students from two-year-olds to eighth-graders, and the school contains five buildings devoted to providing students with a high-quality education.
The school has come a long way since its groundbreaking in 1961 and has a lot to celebrate on its 50th birthday.
“Our accomplishments are due to highly dedicated faculty, great kids and supportive parents,” said Nativity School Principal Elena Ortiz. “We have great stability and little teacher turnover. We’re very proud of the stability.”
As a result of this steadiness and the school’s curriculum, the school has won dozens of awards over the years in various fields, including journalism, spelling and geography bees, handwriting, science, math and general academic competitions. Ortiz also recognized Nativity Church Pastor Patrick Murnane as a reason for the school’s success because “he loves the children and has their best interests at heart.” In addition, the school follows a curriculum that seeks to foster the growth of the whole child: spiritual, intellectual, physical and social. The goal, according to the school’s website, is to lead students to become responsible members of the Church and of society.
We enter and win competitions where we compete against public schools, charter schools and magnet schools, Ortiz said, and we come out on top every year. I think that’s amazing.
To recognize 50 years of academic excellence, Nativity will host yearlong celebration events such as a Nativity Hoedown on Oct. 14, which will also celebrate the completion of the school’s haybarn, a steel structure equipped with two full basketball courts and a volleyball court that shields students from the sun. In addition, Nativity will host a carnival – with the theme “Happy 50th Birthday, Nativity” – in February, and everything will culminate with a special Mass at the end of the school year.
“We want to continue on the path we established,” Ortiz said about the school’s plans for the future. “We want to keep going.”
