Carondelet High School was founded in 1965 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet at the request of Bishop Floyd Begin, first bishop of Oakland. In the tradition of their congregation, the Sisters responded to the needs of the Church by establishing the only Catholic secondary school for young women of Contra Costa County.
The school's spacious campus, brick buildings, and gracious columns and balconies suggest the Spanish origin of the word CARONDELET, a settlement outside St. Louis, the first home of the Sisters when they came from France.
Opening in September 1965 with only six classrooms available for use, the school's original faculty/staff comprised three Sisters and three lay women, with a freshman class of 115. On October 22, 1966, with all buildings completed, the school was formally dedicated by Bishop Begin, a close friend and supporter of Carondelet.
Because of the small size of the student body, a tradition of Christian community, innovation, and pursuit of excellence was established. The tradition has grown with the enrollment. By June 1969 Carondelet had not only graduated its first class of 100 students, but had also established a Student Body Constitution, earned National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation charters, and received accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, as well as the Western Catholic Educational Association.
The school's spacious campus, brick buildings, and gracious columns and balconies suggest the Spanish origin of the word CARONDELET, a settlement outside St. Louis, the first home of the Sisters when they came from France.
In September 1969 Carondelet also established a cooperative program with De La Salle High School whereby juniors and seniors attend selected classes on either campus. This cooperation also extends to a common calendar and schedule, joint faculty committees, student activities, and a sharing of facilities.
Over the years, Carondelet's innovations have included a rotating block schedule and a midsesssion program. In September 1977 Carondelet adopted a phase scheduling plan. The phase scheduling program was designed to offer a variety of options concerning the length, depth, and extent of courses depending upon course content and individual student need. Phase scheduling also allowed students time for activities, athletics, special interest classes and projects during the regular school day. In the fall of 1995 both schools effected yet another schedule change whereby classes meet four times weekly, including one extended period.
In the early nineties, a master site plan was developed and approved.
In the 1995-96 school year Carondelet revised its student activities and student leadership programs. A new Student Body Constitution, reflecting these revisions, was drafted and ratified by the students who now number approximately 800.
On October 24, 1998, the Silvio Garaventa, Sr. Center was dedicated. This multi-purpose cafeteria facility serves 800 students by day and provides a dining and social facility for student, parent, alumnae and community events. In 1998 also, the faculty room and elevator were remodeled. The original cafeteria wing was remodeled to include campus ministry-student activity center, art classroom, yearbook laboratory, student store, bookroom and offices.
In the year 2000, Carondelet adopted a President/Principal model for administration.
The President is the Chief Executive Officer of Carondelet High School. The President delegates the daily operation of the school to the Principal.
In the Spring of 2000, the science wing was remodeled so that each of the five classrooms had its own lab. In 2001, the parking/tennis structure was completed and dedicated. In 2003 the library and computer center were renovated to include state of the art technology. The college and career center was also completed that same year.
A new wing adjacent to the gymnasium on the south side of the campus was completed in the summer of 2005. This building houses four classrooms, two restrooms and a south lobby entrance to the gymnasium.
During the summers of 2007 & 2008, 18 classrooms in the original academic building were remodeled to include state-of-the-art educational technology/media capabilities, new wall surfaces, cabinetry, paint and flooring. During the summer of 2009, rooms 31 and 32 were configured to include space for a Learning Center. This project completes the renovation and updating of the academic building classrooms.
A new Gymnasium & Aquatic Center are included in Phase V for Carondelet’s Master Plan. This phase of growth will concentrate on Physical Fitness for Women: mind, body and spirit.