Our History

• 1951: Our Lady of Fatima Parish was founded in Modesto, California by the Pastor, Father William P. Kennedy.
• 1957: Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School opened its doors in the Fall staffed by the Sisters of a Canadian Congregation, the Daughters of Jesus. OLFCS began with grades one through three and added a grade each year until all eight grades were included.
• 1963: The first eighth grade graduation occurred and a second wing of the school was added which included three classrooms, a library, a science lab, and school offices.
• 1967: The School Board was established to assist the school administration.
• 1970: The Daughters of Jesus left the school and returned to their native Canada, after assisting Our Lady of Fatima School in making a transition to all lay faculty.
• 1970: Karen Ristau was named Principal of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School
• 1984: Sister Genevra Rolf, CSC, a Holy Cross Sister, joined the OLF faculty as principal and remained until 1990.
• 1986: Our Lady of Fatima Parish completed the Parish Hall.
• 1990-94: Dr. Don Dirks served as principal and replaced by long-time faculty member, Vice Principal, Don Brimmer.
• 1994: Linda Partlow was named Principal of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School.
• 1999: A new and updated computer lab was established as a result of a generous gift from a graduate of OLFCS School.
• 2005: Father Khoi Pham was appointed to pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish.
• 2006: As a result of the 2000 Capital Campaign, the multi-purpose building was completed.
• 2007-2008: Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its founding.
• 2012-2013: The Most Rev. Stephen E. Blaire, bishop of the Stockton Diocese, announced a partnership with the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) to help ensure a long strong future for Catholic Schools.
• 2013: Dr. Rex Wetzel served as Interim Principal as the Parish searched for a new principal.
• 2015: Mrs. Melissa Neder was hired as Principal.
• 2016: Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School was re-accredited by The Accrediting Commission for Elementary Schools of the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and the Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC). A 6-Year accreditation was awarded to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School through June 2022.
• 2021: Mrs. Pamela O'Brien was hired as Principal.
• 2023: Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School was re-accredited by The Accrediting Commission for Elementary Schools of the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and the Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC). A 6-Year accreditation was awarded to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School through June 2029.