Academy of our Lady of Peace

What if I told you the oldest high school in San Diego started with just 30 students in a rented house? That’s the humble beginning of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, or OLP as it’s affectionately known. Right here, where we stand, overlooking Mission Valley, this institution has been shaping young women’s lives since 1882. Four Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, having journeyed all the way from Missouri, answered the call of Father Antonio Dominic Ubach, who had been persistently requesting their presence in San Diego since 1870. They established the school in a rented house at Second and G Streets, naming it the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. Imagine, just a few classrooms and a handful of eager students, a stark contrast to the sprawling campus we see today. The Academy of Our Lady of Peace wasn’t always exclusively for girls. In its early days, it welcomed both boys and girls, even boasting the nieces of a former governor among its students. The school quickly outgrew its rented home and relocated to a new building at Third and A Streets in 1887. By the 1920s, OLP had become a girls-only institution and was thriving. The Sisters then purchased the magnificent Villa Montemar estate in 1924, right where we’re standing. This grand estate, with its Italian Renaissance architecture, spacious gardens, swimming pool, and even an observatory, provided a stunning backdrop for the growing academy. The Academy of Our Lady of Peace transformed these buildings, originally designed by Frank Phillips Allen Jr., the mastermind behind several iconic Balboa Park structures, into classrooms, a music building, and a library. In 1997, the swimming pool was replaced by the Holy Family Event Center, a hub for school assemblies and sporting events. The original buildings, now known as Carondelet, St. Catherine’s, and St. Cecelia’s, still stand as testaments to the academy’s rich history. The Academy of Our Lady of Peace has earned national recognition, even appearing in the film “Bring It On” and the TV series “Veronica Mars.” Its Academic Decathlon team consistently ranks high among San Diego schools. The academy has also faced challenges, navigating neighborhood concerns and legal battles regarding expansion plans. Yet, through it all, the Academy of Our Lady of Peace has persevered, continuing to empower young women to become leaders, embracing its motto, “Deus Illuminatio Mea,” which means “God is My Light”. As you look around this campus, imagine the generations of young women who have walked these halls, their lives touched by the dedication of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. They carried the values of faith, heart, courage, and excellence instilled in them here at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, making their mark on the world.