About

History

As an outgrowth of their ministry to expand their educational mission in Southern California, the Marianists founded Chaminade high school for Boys in Cheviot Hills in the fall of 1952. In 1961, the Marianists relocated Chaminade to West Hills, and in 1969, expanded their educational program to include a middle school on our Chatsworth campus.

The original pioneer Marianists were Bro. John Perko, first principal, Fr. Donald Bracht, Bro. Henry Honnert, Bro. James Loughran, Fr. John McEnhill, Bro. John Samaha, and Bro. Eugene Zapp. They welcomed 114 day and resident students, including a senior class of only three students!

1952

In the beginning, with only $9,000 and a few months to find a suitable facility and make ready, Chaminade High School for Boys was founded by the Society of Mary (Marianists).
A former academy in the Cheviot Hills area of West Los Angeles was selected for the new school. They welcomed 114 day and resident students, including a senior class whose total enrollment was three students!
1954

First Published Yearbook 1954-1955
Bro. John Perko, Principal, 1954-1958
1957

Linda Gray is crowned Homecoming Queen, who later became known for her role as Jr’s wife Sue Ellen on the CBS tv series “Dallas”
1961

Chaminade relocates to Canoga Park. In 1959, private schools in Los Angeles were being evaluated for safety. The cost of retrofitting our buildings would have been prohibitive. Upon learning that Chaminade might have to close, Cardinal James McIntyre told the Brothers that he needed a boys’ school in the rapidly-growing west San Fernando Valley. As a result, the Marianists sold the Cheviot Hills campus. In the Fall of 1961 Cardinal McIntyre blessed the first buildings of what is now our West Hills Campus.
1964

Groundbreaking of the Bob Hope Student Center. This building was the first addition to the original facilities of the high school campus.
1968

Boys’ cross-country team captures the school‘s first-ever CIF title.
1969

The Canoga Park campus soon needed more room and leased the property of St John’s Military academy in Chatsworth from the Sisters of Mercy. Chaminade moves the 9th graders in from Canoga Park to Chatsworth and adds 7th and 8th grades. Mr. Ronald Staley becomes principal of the Chatsworth campus, 1968-1973. In1987, Chaminade purchases the property from the Sisters of Mercy
1972

Chaminade adds girls to the student body on both campuses. The first girls graduated from Chaminade in 1974, by the end of the decade the school was fully co-educational.

Pictured: Lisa Garvin, Kathy Hunter, Vicki Stoner, Lori Nelson, Ann Ford, Julie Rohde, Sharon Palatas, Ellen Sweeney, Km Barkman.
1973

Ronald Stately, principal of the middle school from 1968-1973, becomes Chaminade first President.
1979

Chaminade kicks off its campaign to raise funds for a gymnasium. Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo Uribe accept the honorary chairmanship of the gymnasium campaign and commit to donating $100,000 provided that the school raises $200,000 within two years. Final approximate cost $500,000.
1981

1981 marks the end of boarding students after almost 30 years. Dormitories on the high school campus are soon converted into classrooms providing much-needed space for the rapidly growing student body
1981

November 1981. One of the very first KAIROS retreats. The retreat program is under the supervision of Fr. Allen DeLong. He attends each retreat as the spiritual and retreat director. The KAIROS retreat is, for most students, an intensely emotional experience. Students return with a new sense of camaraderie and self-worth. Friendships transcend cliques and social status, and students feel closer to one another
1988-89

The highlight of the 80s is the construction of Booster Stadium, with press box and state-of-the-art lighting for night games. The facility is a result of the dedicated volunteer efforts of parents. The Athletic Booster Association and the Stadium Club help fund and maintain the stadium.

Ninth-grade students return to the high school campus and the Chatsworth campus begins accepting 6th graders, becoming a true middle school.
1993

A new academic center on the West Hills campus opens in the fall of 1993. Marian Hall gave faculty the opportunity to revamp the curriculum and decrease class size.
1994

Chaminade opens its door to the world with its first website.
2000

On September 3, 2000, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, the founder of the Society of Mary and namesake of our school, was beatified in Rome. This magnificent event is the final step before Bl. Chaminade can receive full canonization as a Saint in the Catholic church. Two teachers, Mrs. Jackie Ford and Mr. Chris Redondo, along with five high school students, joined nearly 100,000 Catholics gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the ceremony
2003

The Father Allen DeLong Center for Arts and Athletics opens its doors in the fall of 2003
2005

Chaminade’s quest to provide the best in scientific and technological learning facilities is realized, when the West Hills campus, opens the doors to the Condon Family Center for Science and Technology.
2011

Chaminade athletes dive into the “DEEP BLUE C.” Changing the field occurred almost two years early than planned, but with more than 12 teams using the field annually, and the heavy wear and tear, made it a necessary investment.
2012

In January 2012, despite what would grow into an extremely challenging economic climate, Lighting the Way: The Campaign for Chaminade, successfully closes, after raising over $6 million to build a brand-new performing arts center on the West Hills campus
2015

Chaminade dedicates middle school buildings in honor of two Chaminade employees. The James V. Adams Center for Innovative Learning, is a 9,000 square foot six-classroom building with flexible classrooms ideal for project-based learning.

The Joseph A. Rauser Library Commons is an expansion and renovation of an existing area into 4,600 square feet of learning and studying space.
2018

Chaminade acquired the shopping center adjacent to its high school campus in West Hills. The property is one of the last significant parcels of nearby land that has not been developed for residential use. Chaminade has not yet formalized plans for the future of the shopping center, but Chaminade seeks to identify the most beneficial use for the property as part of its master plan process.