Santa Barbara Catholic School - Guam
Share
Pre K4 to 8th Guam Catholic School located at 274 W Santa Barbara Ave Ste A, Dededo Guam USA. Call 6325578 for more info. During the 1983-1988 period, the Msgr.
Principal: Sister Maria Rosario Gaite, RSM Santa Barbara Catholic School opened its doors in September 1950 under the leadership of Reverend Father Fulgence Petrie, O.F.M., CAP, pastor of Santa Barbara Parish. The school was supervised and administered by the Sisters of Mercy with Sister Mary Redempta, RSM as the first principal. With an initial enrollment of 150 in grades K-4, the school was temporarily housed in the convent, Santa Barbara Church, and in the nearby Girl Scout building while awaiting construction of a new three-room school building which was completed in 1951. With generous financial support from Yigo Parish, construction on a permanent main school building was begun in 1958. Progress was interrupted, however, by the destructive Typhoon Karen in 1962. The school sustained major damages to the main school building. However, repairs were made with the assistance of the nearby military bases. In 1967, a two-storey building housing 15 classrooms and a library was completed. Then in 1969, the older three-room building was converted into a cafeteria and restrooms facility. During that period, enrollment soared to 987 students. Four lay teachers were added to the staff to supplement the services of the Sisters of Mercy. Double sessions were held to accommodate the large number of students, with half attending in the morning and half in the afternoon. Again, there was a need to expand the building. Four classrooms and a bathroom were added to the second floor in 1972, giving the school a total of 20 classrooms and completing the main building. Santa Barbara Catholic School entered into a vigorous program for improvement and development of its academic programs and facilities when Sister Bernadette Marie Leon Guerrero took over the leadership of the school in 1981 until 1997. To her credit, much of the school’s present physical improvements and curriculum development were initiated and accomplished. She led the school through three accreditations beginning in 1983, then 1989 and 1995. Camacho Building and the Sisters’ convent, were built. The former church was converted into the school’s gymnasium. The cafeteria was renovated and furnished appropriately to deliver services to the students. And, finally, all classrooms were air-conditioned. In August 1993, another building housing three classrooms, Guidance Office, Teacher Resource Center, Computer Room, Faculty Lounge, and a kitchenette was completed. The McAuley Center, housing the Administration Office was built in 1995. In school year 1997-1998, Sister Jeanette Marie Pangelinan took over as the new principal of Santa Barbara Catholic School. Under her leadership, the school integrated the Internet and World Wide Web into its curriculum, thus, pioneering this kind of technology among the schools on the island. In December 1997, typhoon Paka wrought extensive damage to the school’s gymnasium. The following year, work on the complete renovation of the facility begun and was completed and dedicated in November 1999. September 2000, marked the week-long celebration of the school’s Golden Jubilee. In school year 2001-2002, Santa Barbara School officially changed its name to Santa Barbara Catholic School, to reflect and emphasize its Catholic identity in the community. Since school year 1982-1983, the school been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). All of them were full term six year accreditations, the highest accreditation the association gives. In school year 2012-13, as mandated by the Archdiocese of Agana, the school underwent and received double accreditation from the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and Western Assocation of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for another full six-year term. After three years of planning, and in response to the increase in enrollment, construction of Our Lady of Mercy Hall housing 5 additional classrooms was started in school year 2006-2007. The building was dedicated and blessed on September 24, 2007, on the feast of Our Lady of Mercy. School year 2008-2009 marked another important milestone in the school’s history as it opened its Pre-Kindergarten program for four-year old. In school year 2015-2016, the school received a generous donation from Mr. Alfred Ysrael and family. They financed the construction of the school’s newest facility, the Ysrael Science Hall, a two-story building housing a Science Lab on the first floor and a Computer Lab on the second floor. The building was blessed on February 23, 2016. In school year 2017-2018, Sister Maria Rosario Gaite, RSM started her term as new principal upon the retirement of Sister Jeanette Marie Pangelinan, its longest serving principal of 19 years. Throughout the years, Santa Barbara Catholic School’s special character as a family school has remained unchanged with the Sisters of Mercy, the teachers and the parents consistently demonstrating their support to the school. It remains a multi-cultural community where parents and teachers share a common bond of total commitment to educating children for a life of faith, leadership, scholarship and service.
14/09/2026
STIRRING A LOVE FOR READING | READVENTURE 2026
On September 11, Santa Barbara Catholic School officially launched Readventure 2026, our annual pledge-to-read fundraiser benefiting the Language Arts Department. This year’s theme, “Stirring a Love for Reading,” takes inspiration from the featured book, Stone Soup—a story that reminds us how something wonderful can be created when everyone contributes and comes together.
The launch brought the Readventure spirit to life with activities for our students, including an energetic Readventure Cheer led by our NJHS members, encouraging our Spartans to open their books, take on the reading challenge, and make every minute count. ❤️📖
Throughout the reading period from September 11 to October 12, students will collect pledges as they work toward their reading goals: three hours for K4–Grade 2 and six hours for Grades 3–8. Every page read and every pledge received will help provide enhanced teaching and learning materials for our Language Arts Department.
Just like Stone Soup, Readventure shows us what can happen when a community contributes a little of what it has. Together, our students, families, friends, and supporters can stir up a lasting love for reading—one page at a time.
11/09/2026
🇺🇸 Remembering September 11 — 25 Years Later 🇺🇸
Today, Santa Barbara Catholic School joins our nation in prayerful remembrance as we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001.
We remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the courage and sacrifice of the first responders, and the countless families whose lives were forever changed. We also remember how, in the midst of tragedy, people came together in extraordinary acts of courage, compassion, service, and unity.
As a Catholic school community, may we help our young people understand this important moment in our nation’s history and inspire them to become instruments of peace, mercy, and hope in our world.
🙏 Let us pray:
Loving God, we entrust to You all who lost their lives on September 11 and all who continue to carry its wounds. Bless our nation and our world with peace. Teach us to reject hatred, to choose compassion, and to work together for the good of all. Amen.
We remember. We pray. We will never forget. 🇺🇸
10/09/2026
PREPARING HEARTS FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Santa Barbara Catholic School held its First Parent Meeting for First Holy Communion, marking an important beginning in the preparation of our young communicants to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
The meeting emphasized the essential role of parents as the first catechists of their children. While the school and parish provide instruction and guidance, faith formation begins and continues at home—through prayer, participation in the Mass, conversations about faith, and the example parents set each day.
Parents were also guided through the expectations, responsibilities, and preparations leading to First Holy Communion, strengthening the partnership between the family, school, and Church in accompanying each child on this journey of faith.
As preparation begins, may our families help our young Spartans understand that First Holy Communion is more than a milestone—it is an invitation to grow closer to Christ and to carry His presence into their daily lives.
07/09/2026
Today, September 8, we joyfully celebrate the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus and a beautiful example of faith, humility, and loving obedience to God.
Mary’s birth marked the beginning of a life that would become part of God’s plan of salvation. Through her faithful “yes” to God, she reminds us to trust in His will and to bring Christ’s love to others through our own words and actions.
On this joyful feast, may we ask our Blessed Mother to continue guiding our SBCS community and helping us grow in faith, compassion, and service.
07/09/2026
HAPPY LABOR DAY!
Today, we recognize the hard work, dedication, and contributions of workers who help strengthen our families and communities.
At SBCS, we also extend our appreciation to our faculty, staff, parents, and everyone whose daily work and service help our Spartan community grow. ❤️🤍
May this Labor Day remind us of the dignity of work and the value of serving others through the gifts God has given us.
06/09/2026
SPARTANS SWIM PAST THE MANTARAYS
A strong start to the season for our SBCS Boys Soccer Team, opening their first game with a 4–0 victory against the SIFA Mantarays!
The Spartans controlled the field and kept the Mantarays off the scoreboard to secure their first win of the season.
05/09/2026
76 YEARS OF FAITH, MERCY & EXCELLENCE | HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, SBCS!
Today, September 5, Santa Barbara Catholic School celebrates 76 years of educating generations of Spartans in Mind, Heart, and Spirit.
On September 5, 1950, Santa Barbara School opened its doors to its first 150 students under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Fulgence Petrie, O.F.M., Cap., with the Sisters of Mercy and Sr. Mary Redempta Thomas, RSM, its first principal. From those humble beginnings, SBCS has grown into the vibrant Catholic school community we proudly call home today.
For 76 years, countless students, families, Sisters of Mercy, clergy, educators, staff, alumni, and friends have each become part of the Santa Barbara story. Through changing times and generations, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to forming young people rooted in faith, knowledge, service, and Mercy.
Today, we celebrate more than the number of years. We celebrate the legacy passed from one generation to the next, the memories made within these halls, and the community that continues to carry the mission forward.
As we begin another chapter, may we remain grateful for those who came before us, inspired by those who walk with us today, and hopeful for the generations of Spartans still to come.
76 years strong—and our story continues.
04/09/2026
SEASON OF CREATION 2026 | LIVING WATER
Santa Barbara Catholic School officially launched our celebration of the Season of Creation 2026, joining Christians around the world in prayer and action for our common home. This year’s official theme, “Living Water,” is inspired by Ezekiel 47:1–12, where life-giving water flows from God’s temple, restoring the land, renewing the waters, and allowing life to flourish. The official symbol, “Immersion in Living Water,” calls us to recognize our interconnectedness and work together for the renewal of creation.
Bringing this message to life, the Spartans Dance Crew represented the movement of the waters and the life sustained by them. Through dance, our students presented symbols of creation—from animals to plants and other forms of life—reminding us that wherever living water flows, creation is given the opportunity to grow and flourish. 🌱🐾💧
As one SBCS community, we are reminded that we all share the same waters and the same common home. The water that gives life to one also sustains the lives of many. Our responsibility, therefore, is shared: to protect, preserve, and care for the gifts of creation entrusted to us.
As Scripture reminds us, “Where the river flows, everything will live.” — Ezekiel 47:9
May this Season of Creation move us beyond simply appreciating the beauty around us and inspire us to become living waters ourselves—allowing faith, mercy, care, and hope to flow through our actions and into the lives of others.
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Category
Telephone
Website
Address
274 W Santa Barbara Avenue Ste A
Dededo
96929-5378
Opening Hours
| Monday | 07:30 - 16:00 |
| Tuesday | 07:30 - 16:00 |
| Wednesday | 07:30 - 16:00 |
| Thursday | 07:30 - 16:00 |
| Friday | 07:30 - 16:00 |
Alerts
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Santa Barbara Catholic School - Guam posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.