Why IHM? .

Faith Formation
The Catholic Identity of Immaculate Heart of Mary School is as dynamic as the school community, which it serves.

Our mission and philosophy integrate the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church into our curriculum and instruction. Faith development and spirituality, as well as Catholic doctrine, are fundamental aspects of our curriculum. Students and teachers are encouraged and given opportunities to live out the Gospel through school and parish activities, such as food bank collections, toy drives for Children's Hospital, Holy Childhood activities, and other local/global charity projects. 

It is our mission at IHM School to work in partnership with our parents to strive for a balance of faith, character, and academic excellence to educate and form the whole child. Witnessing to our commitment to Christ, we continue to begin and end each school day in prayer. Through seasonal prayer services, sacramental preparation, monthly family liturgies, and bi-monthly masses, the faith and spiritual formations of our school community are nurtured.

Furthermore, by enlisting the help of the parish music director, Chris Avendano, our school has been able to reorganize our school choir. The students have been acknowledged in various local and global competitions. Moreover, junior high students participate in community service activities throughout the school year and help in local businesses, libraries, convalescent homes, and hospitals around the area. 

Academic Success
IHM provides an academically challenging curriculum for its students. Standardized test scores, such as the STAR and ACRE, reflect students’ strong academic abilities. Over the course of the  past few years, students’ scores have grown tremendously. Based on 2015-2016 standardized assessment data, IHM had the sixth highest growth scores in math and second highest in reading out of all 208 schools in the Archdiocese. Of all of the Blended Learning schools, IHM had the highest growth in both reading and math.  The small class size allows for invaluable one-on-one attention for every student. 

The curriculum taught at IHM is standards-based.  Archdiocesan curriculum standards are addressed in our daily teachings, as well as California Standards, Common Core Standards, and Student Learning Expectations.  Teachers have carefully examined the Archdiocesan curriculum standards and are aware of the alignment to the California Standards with the inclusion of the subject area of Religion.  

We strive for academic excellence, which includes, not only the acquisition of knowledge, but also the application of this knowledge.  One of our goals is to continue to provide and improve our educational environment with resources and equipment to facilitate students’ academic growth.  Realizing that not every student learns in the same way, or at the same pace, lessons are designed with a variety of approaches, so as to enable students to master content, basic skills, and higher order skills to the best of their abilities (with technology to aid in enhancing student learning).  

One of our objectives at IHM is that our students will be lifelong learners. Students have won various contests in Los Angeles and have been published in various books, such as poetry competitions and art contests. Learning must not stop at the classroom door, but continue beyond IHM. Through testaments from alumni, we can attest that our students from IHM excel through the high school curriculum, and go forward into higher education to achieve success in future endeavors. 

Teachers work one-on-one with the students, differentiating instruction for each child with the aid of technology and small group instruction. 

We offer a challenging academic curriculum in which students are encouraged to give the best they have to offer to their learning. Teachers always provide assistance to those who need additional help. IHM is proud to say that this year in the Academic Decathlon IHM placed 10th in Religion, 10th in Current Events, 10th in Literature, 7th in English, 7th in  Math,7th in Logic, 6th in Super Quiz, 4th in Fine Arts, and 1st (with a perfect score) in Social Studies. Overall, we placed 4th out of 105 schools!!!
 

After-School Activities
We are an amazing performing arts school. Students at IHM are encouraged to find other passions outside of academia and we help cultivate these talents. We have a strong music program at IHM. Those who enjoy singing can join the choir. Piano, violin, and dance lessons are also given after school. For athletes, basketball and volleyball teams are also offered, as well as intramural kickball. Students can also join hip-hop and ballet. 

Strong Moral Character
We know that our students leave Immaculate Heart of Mary School able to make a positive difference in our world.  Striving for academic excellence and strong moral character, we at IHM are proud of our students’ achievements both outside and beyond our doors.  Our students consistently perform at the top of their classes both in public and Catholic High Schools. These students also continue to play an active role in their parish communities and live out their Christian values as faithful followers of the Gospel. Best of all, our alumni keep coming back for more as volunteers, teachers, parents, and grandparents!!! Once an eagle, always an eagle!