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I am honored to be the new principal of Mission Basilica School. Along with Msgr.
McKiernan, I am truly excited for the opportunity to lead such a prestigious
educational institution. From our illustrious past, represented by the beauty of
the Historic Mission and the Swallows that return each year, to the technologically
driven future of academics, there is much on the horizon.
In keeping with the school’s mission, I am thrilled to announce the debut of
our new Transitional Kindergarten Program in 2015. This new class helps realize
the Mission Basilica School’s commitment to educating the whole child as well as
advancing academic excellence. From preschool through eighth grade, the school’s
many faith-filled traditions help prepare our students for adulthood.
Through our faith formation, diverse academic programs,
after school sports, as well as a love of the arts, the school
partners with our parish and parents in its commitment to
nurturing spiritual growth while advancing the academic
achievements of each student. We open our students to
new avenues of creativity and build a diverse and inclusive
community which prepares our students to become leaders
dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service.
I look forward to many years of learning and
service in this historic school community.
Yours in Christ,
Alycia Beresford
WELCOMEWELCOME
Mission Basilica School has a continuous flow of history
from the establishment of Mission San Juan Capistra-
no, founded Nov. 1, 1776, to the present day. Through the leader-
ship of the Blessed Junipero Serra, the Mission became a center
for learning and evangelization. Serra Chapel, completed in 1782,
served as Fr. Serra’s venue for evangelization and continues to
be in service today. On July 5, 1910, Fr. John O’Sullivan became
Pastor of Mission San Juan Capistrano. Under Fr. O’Sullivan’s di-
rection, along with the Franciscan Sisters of Ohio, Old Mission
School was founded in 1928. Soon after the founding of our be-
loved school, Fr. John O’Sullivan began the Legend of the Swal-
lows. From such humble beginnings, these inspiring little birds
have been linked with the children of Mission School. In 1933, the
first radio broadcast of the return of the Swallows featured Mis-
sion School children. Current students of the school have the op-
portunity to share in this rich history.
In 1986, the completion of a grand church building ushered
in a new era for the parish and our school continued to flourish
as a result. On February 14, 2000, Pope John Paul II proclaimed
the Mission Parish a Basilica. To honor our connection to the rich
history of the Basilica and the Historic Mission, Mission Parish
School became Mission Basilica School in 2013.
The original school building, completed in 1928, continues to
be a vital part of Mission Basilica School. Along with the 1954 gym,
our newest and most state-of-the-art school, completed in 2001
and named the McDonough Building after the school’s benefac-
tor, provides a place to continue our goal of evangelization and
education which continues over two centuries of tradition.
“Through the leadership of the blessed Junipero Serra, the Mission became a
center for learning and evangelization.”
ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORYILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY
Our community is rich in heritage and tradition with a
focus on the Eucharist. We are bonded in the desire to
teach the Catholic faith, serve those in need, and provide students
with a challenging academic curriculum.
Attending Mass is an extremely important part of our religious
tradition. It is while we are connecting with Christ through the
Eucharist that our faith grows stronger and we can more clearly
see the plan God has for us. Our students attend Mass each Friday
morning. As they enter the prominent and beautiful Mission Ba-
silica to take part in the liturgy – they are reminded of the histori-
cal and cultural significance of the Mission.
Our Faith Families program allows our students to pray and
learn together across the grade levels. A faith family is comprised
of one student from each grade with an eigth grade student as
the family leader. On the first Friday of each month, Faith Families
attend Mass together and then take part in a faith building activity.
Students have the opportunity to participate in the Altar Server
Ministry assisting priests and deacons at Mass. Mission Basili-
ca, a National Shrine and one of only seventy-four Basilicas in the
United States, offers a unique setting for serving. Students may
also serve in the historic Serra Chapel. Built in 1782, the chapel is
the oldest Church in California and the oldest building still in use
in California.
All students in grades kindergarten through eighth participate
in a daylong class retreat. Retreats are created and sponsored by
volunteer parents. Our parish priests often will join the children
while on retreat for prayer, song, and activities. Class Retreats pro-
vide our students with a safe place to grow in their beliefs as they
journey to become faith-filled Catholics.
“...a safe place to grow in their beliefs as they journey to become faith-filled Catholics.”
STRENGTHENED BY FAITHSTRENGTHENED BY FAITH
Fr. Robert Capone (left) received First
Holy Communion and Confirmation at
Saint Kilian Catholic Church in Mission Viejo.
Fr. Capone graduated from The University of
San Diego in 1991 with a degree in Business Eco-
nomics. He entered Saint John’s Seminary in
1994 earning a degree in Divinity and a Master
of Arts in Religion. Fr. Robert was ordained in
the jubilee year 2000 in the Diocese of Orange.
He has served in the parishes of Holy Family,
Saint Anne, Saint Joseph, Saint Vincent de Paul
and Santiago de Compostela, mostly recently.
Fr. Capone began ministry here at Mis-
sion Basilica in July of 2014.
Msgr. Arthur Holquin
(right) serves as Pastor
Emeritus since retiring as Pastor of
the Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano
in June of 2014. Msgr. Holquin continues to
serve Mass for the parish and serves on many
committees and boards including the Mis-
sion Preservation Foundation and the Design
and Renovation Committee for the Diocese of
Orange. While in service to the Historic Mis-
sion, Msgr. Holquin celebrated his fortieth
year of ordination and continues the theme of
his illustrious predecessors “Siempre Adelante,”
always moving forward through preservation,
education and spiritual growth for our local
parish community.
Msgr. J. Michael McKiernan (left)
serves as the 35th pastor in a line
of succession from the Blessed Junipero Serra,
founder of the Historic Mission San Juan Cap-
istrano. Msgr. McKiernan was ordained as a
Diocesan Priest in the County of Orange on
June 8, 1991. Prior to his post as Pastor and
Rector of the dynamic Mission Campus, he
was the founding Pastor of Christ Our Savior
Catholic Church in Santa Ana and the Director
of Clergy Personnel for the Diocese of Orange.
Msgr. McKiernan’s educational background
includes a Master of Arts in Pastoral Liturgy
from Santa Clara University, a Master of Arts
in Theology and a Master of Divinity in Reli-
gion from Saint John’s Seminary College. He
began his education with a Bachelor of Arts in
Philosophy also from Saint John’s Seminary
College.
Along with his many and varied duties
at the Historic Mission, Church and School,
Msgr. McKiernan also serves on the School
Board of J Serra High School, on the College
of Consulters, the Diocesan Council of Priests,
the Bishops Liturgical Commission, and the
Design and Renovation Committee for the Di-
ocese of Orange.
DEDICATED CLERGYDEDICATED CLERGY
Students from kindergarten through fifth
grade learn through a rigorous curricu-
lum delivered by highly skilled credentialed
teachers using state of the art technology, and
up-to-date textbooks. Religion is interwoven
throughout the entire school program. Our
philosophy supports the achievement of each
child’s learning potential in an environment
where the whole child approach is the basis for
curricular planning.
A strong core curriculum, utilizing the best
educational resources, is implemented by
qualified and experienced faculty and aides.
Enrichment classes are viewed as critical com-
ponents of an all-encompassing elementary
program.
The Middle Grades (grades sixth—eigth)
Program was developed to provide a compre-
hensive and challenging academic curricu-
lum that is appropriate for the personal and
spiritual growth of young adolescents. An ac-
ademic core is aligned to what students must
know to succeed with college-preparatory En-
glish, mathematics, and science. Faculty and
staff take a deep interest in our students’ suc-
cessful learning and growth.
Technology is integrated into the learning
environment within the school communi-
ty. Responsible use of technology is continu-
ally discussed and practiced. Each classroom
is equipped with a Hover Cam, projector, and
SMART Board for use in instruction, creating
lesson plans, reporting grades, and research.
Technology is an integral part of the school’s
overall plan to move children toward high ac-
ademic and Christian standards. Mission Ba-
silica School is proud to be one of the first Di-
ocesan schools to offer one-to-one iPads in the
Middle School grades. This year, new iPads
were added to the fifth grade and another
grade will be added each year until all grades
are supported by one-to-one technology.
Students were tested with the IOWA Form
E Assessment Tests. This assessment tests stu-
dents’ standard scores in relationship to their
grade equivalence. The 2014 assessments
show that students in third through eighth
grades exhibited an average of 1.2 years of
grade equivalent growth (GE) in their stan-
dard scores on the composite battery of tests.
The graph below shows that each grade sur-
passed the grade equivalence in English for
that grade. We are proud of the work both stu-
dents and teachers have shown in these scores,
and our faculty is dedicated to utilizing this
data to help tailor future curriculum stan-
dards.
thirdgrade
fourthgrade
fifthgrade
sixthgrade
seventhgrade
eighthgrade
Mission Basilica School
Grade Equivalent
“...where the whole child approach is the basis for
curricular planning.”
“By the eighth grade –students exhibited a strong average of 2.4 years growth
over grade equivalent.”
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCEACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Another avenue of teaching is through the formation of
faith-filled leaders. We believe that every aspect of the
student experience contributes to this formation. Every interac-
tion and activity can serve to uncover each individual’s unique
gifts to be used in the service to Christ.
We find that leadership skills are garnered through many dif-
ferent curricular and extra-curricular activities. Competitions
such as the Academic Decathlon and athletics have proven influ-
ential in teaching valuable leadership skills. Confidence comes
from real accomplishments. Our small environment coupled
with a wide array of activities, both inside and outside the class-
room, allows every child access to discover their skills. Our low
staff-to-student ratio ensures that we can amply support each
student’s efforts.
Students become competent public speakers. They are given
opportunities to lead the congregation at weekly Mass through
practice at becoming a cantor. At morning assemblies and other
special events children are given the opportunity to lead and par-
ticipate. Behind the scenes, teachers and staff support these lead-
ership lessons with individual rehearsal and coaching.
We have a strong tradition of Catholic faith and values
rooted in the practice of service to those in need within
the greater parish community. We teach service and steward-
ship to the students through support of many local and Catho-
lic groups.
Young children learn about our faith by seeing and doing. Each
grade chooses a service project relevant to their age. Our Kinder-
garten Readiness class provides jars of peanut butter and jelly to
Serra’s Pantry and our kindergarteners collect baby clothes and
items for Birth Choice. Service to others is one of the foundations
of Christ’s teachings. First graders collect pull tabs for Ronald
McDonald House. As children grow they become more involved
in service. Our second graders make blankets for cancer patients
and the third graders work in partnership to reach out to our el-
derly and homebound in the community of San Juan Capistrano.
The Service Project is a learning opportunity for our older
children to focus on the “Gift of Giving” through hospitali-
ty. This allows our children to embrace brotherly love in ser-
vice through Christ. Our fourth graders write letters to soldiers
while our fifth graders craft cards and decorations for a commu-
nity Christmas party at Serra’s Pantry and Outreach. The sixth
and eighth graders partner together in another unique opportu-
nity. They capture surplus produce from farmers’ fields to feed
the hungry with Second Harvest Food Bank. Finally, our gener-
ous seventh graders help at the Richard Henry Dana Exception-
al Needs Facility. Here, they serve special needs children from
birth through fifth grade. They sing songs, create fun art proj-
ects and play parachute games together with the Exceptional
Needs Facility children.
“Service to others is one of the foundations of Christ’s teachings.”
Opportunities To GrowIn Leadership Include:
• Academic Decathlon • Altar Serving
• Cantor Program • Cheerleading
• Classroom Projects • Drama
• Faith Families • Service Projects
• Athletics • Performances
• Student Council • Talent Show
CALLED TO SERVE LEADING THE WAYLEADING THE WAYCALLED TO SERVE
Campus life at Mission Basilica School is rich with diversity
for our children. In addition to the solid academic
curriculum, we also have many co-curricular classes. These classes
are part of the school day and are taught by a specialist in that field.
These programs include Physical Education, Technology, Spanish,
Art Masters, Spelling Bee, and Music. We maintain the belief that
having these programs available for our students to participate in
during the school day leads to a better education for the whole child.
Extracurricular activities provide a way for students to be in-
volved after school and to challenge themselves. Dressed proud-
ly in red and white, the Swallows of Mission Basilica School
have established a respected presence in South County private
school athletics. The sports program, dating back to the 1930s,
has evolved into a well-rounded array of sporting pursuits for
boys and girls in grades five through eight. The fall season in-
cluded boys’ flag football, boys’ basketball and girls’ volleyball.
Our award-winning cheerleaders cheered them on enthusiasti-
cally and brought the spirit of goodwill to our competitions. The
sports year concludes in the spring with girls’ softball, boys’ vol-
leyball, coed soccer and track.
Singing, music and drama have been long-standing traditions
at Mission Basilica School. From the early days at our Mission,
our children have greeted the return of the Swallows in song!
The children sing traditional liturgical songs at special school
Masses throughout the school year including United Nations
Day, St. Joseph’s Day in the Historic Mission, and the spirtual May
Crowning celebration. Our successful drama program teaches
acting and stage presence to participating children. This pro-
gram continues to grow in popularity and this past year saw over
80 students performing on stage.
“The sports program, dating back to the 1930s, has evolved into a well-rounded array of sporting pursuits.”
VIBRANT CAMPUS LIFEVIBRANT CAMPUS LIFE
SCHOOL INCOME Tuition and Extended Care Income $1,844,818 $1,834,534 $2,001,217
Scholarships and Parish Support 52,000 43,070 29,000
PTO Income and Scrip Sales 129,000 116,269 65,000
Registration, Program and Tech Fees 102,800 128,279 114,000
$2,128,618 $2,122,152 $2,209,217
SALARIES AND BENEFITS Teachers and Aides $920,856 $956,417 $980,696
Administrative Personnel 277,090 279,443 271,570
Janitorial and Maintenance 184,297 152,406 125,925
Payroll Taxes and Benefits 380,054 355,490 401,843
$1,762,297 $1,743,756 $1,780,034
ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM COSTS Education $46,920 $54,613 $46,820
Administrative 82,701 79,338 82,700
Development 20,904 30,701 23,500
Technology 35,000 41,900 40,300
Maintenance and Repairs 44,329 46,098 75,000
Utilities 71,367 55,868 88,000
Insurance and Taxes 60,800 56,810 71,850
$362,021 $365,328 $428,170
TOTAL OPERATING RESULT $4,300 $13,068 $1,013
This Year’s Budget
2013-2014
This Year’s Actual
2013-2014
Next Year’s Budget
2014-2015
Mission Basilica School has a dedicat-
ed group of parents, parishioners,
faculty and staff that donate the gift of their
prayers, time, talent and treasure to provide
for the school. Their efforts allow our Swal-
lows to soar to new heights each year. Due to
this much needed support, our Blue Ribbon
School continues to thrive as an extraordi-
nary faith-based educational institution.
Contributions to the Annual Fund, the Tina
Rolewicz Scholarship Endowment, and the
sensational Serenade Gala positively impact
student learning as well as the entire school
community.
Fully 83 percent of tuition dollars each year
support teacher and faculty salaries. Our
staff directly guide the learning of each child
through their combined skills and education-
al background.
Please consider supporting our school to
help sustain its high level of excellence. A gift
to the Annual or Scholarship Funds will con-
tinue to advance our school’s academic en-
richment, technology, extracurricular oppor-
tunities, professional development and also
provide tuition assistance for those in need.
“Fully 83 percent of tuition dollars each year support
teacher and faculty salaries.”
FISCALLY SOUND FISCALLY SOUND
SUPPORT
Through our longheld traditions we find
comfort and community, giving our
children the structure and environment from
which to soar. They grow with a solid core of
faith, tradition and learning. To further this
growth Mission Basilica School is excited to an-
nounce the addition of a new Transitional Kin-
dergarten Program in the fall of 2015. The be-
ginnings of a lifelong joy in education begin in
preschool. From this start, Transitional Kinder-
garten is the necessary bridge into kindergar-
ten for our younger children.
Transitional Kindergarten provides a full-
day academic experience for students turning
five years old between September and Decem-
ber. This essential program provides students
with a faith-based learning environment that
nurtures students through a curriculum that
is dedicated to teaching the children physical-
ly, socially, and emotionally. This academical-
ly and spiritually comprehensive method offers
children a rigorously interactive, learning ex-
perience that is aligned with California Pre-
school Learning Foundations.
The curriculum is tailored to meet individu-
al needs in language arts including: vocabulary,
Here at Mission Basilica School, we like
to think of our students, parents, and
faculty as a close-knit family. Traditions are an
important part of our Mission family life. They
bind us together and create long lasting memo-
ries that carry on for generations.
Memorable traditions include St. Joseph’s Day,
May Crowning, and United Nations Day. These
events establish feelings of closeness and be-
longing. Our traditions have been passed on by
the student body for many decades and build
upon a shared past.
St. Joseph’s Day celebrates the miracle of the
Swallows' Return to Capistrano. To commemorate
the return of these special, diminutive birds
to our historic walls, the costumed students of
grammar, phonics, reading comprehension
and writing. The mathematics curriculum in-
cludes arithmetic, measurement, and geometry.
Other areas of learning are history, under-
standing the physical world through drawings
and maps, economics and the marketplace. Our
students will learn about the sciences through
observation and investigation. Children learn
about living things and non-living things as
well as how to document their findings. Finally,
they learn about the earth sciences.
This enriched curriculum will include art
and music integrated with social studies and re-
ligion, focused through technology and season-
al themed parties. Extended daycare and piano
lessons are also available.
Mission Basilica School attend the St. Joseph’s
Day Mass. From Mass, students are led by the
Royal Court to the Mission grounds where they
perform traditional dances.
The St. Joseph’s Day Royal Court began in 1953
to represent Spain’s King Carlos and Queen Is-
abella, who were reigning monarchs in 1769
when the California mission system was found-
ed. The Royal Court consists of eighth grade stu-
dents who embody excellence academically and
spiritually. Students then have the pleasure of
representing their school in San Juan Capist-
rano’s famous Swallows' Day Parade. It is a truly
memorable event where our students, parents,
and staff come together.
United Nations Day has been celebrated for
over thirty years. Each class studies a country’s
culture, geography, people, and traditions. This
culminates in a school-wide celebration. The stu-
dents arrive in costumes depicting their nation
of study and attend Mass. The school choir sings
and saints are honored. The parents provide fes-
tive decorations and authentic foods to enjoy at
lunchtime. Lunch is followed by a Parade of Na-
tions to entertain the crowd with singing and
dancing from different countries.
From our illustrious past to our bright future,
we share these traditions that link us together in
faith and community. As the little Swallows con-
tinue to return year after year so our students
also return and continue to grow in our shared
history.
“We share traditions that link us together in faith and community.”
“Transitional Kindergarten provides a full-day academic
experience for students turning five years old between
September and December.”
FROM OUR PAST TO OUR FUTUREFROM OUR PAST TO OUR FUTURE