Immaculate Conception Academy

Established in 1883 Immaculate Conception Academy stands as a testament to the unwavering spirit of its founders. Three young Dominican Sisters journeyed across the country to San Francisco. They answered Archbishop Joseph Alemany’s plea for aid. Thousands of immigrant children needed religious education. Among these sisters was 24-year-old Sister Maria Pia Backes. Seven years later she built what would become Immaculate Conception Academy. It was located at 24th and Guerrero Streets in the Mission District. The Academy thrived. Immigrant families embraced its academic rigor and Dominican Catholic values. Nearby buildings were bought for expansion. By 1904 former students organized to support the school. This mentoring tradition continues today. Immaculate Conception Academy remained open after the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. For decades it provided girls from challenged families an educational opportunity. In 2008 the board of directors applied for membership in the Cristo Rey Network. This network integrates rigorous academics with professional work experience. The Corporate Work Study Program helps low-income students. Immaculate Conception Academy became the first all-girls school in the network. It now accepts only students meeting low-family-income criteria. Tuition costs dropped significantly. Employers pay the school for entry-level jobs. Students work in teams. The school offers service opportunities and retreats. Athletics include volleyball basketball and more. Immaculate Conception Academy is a member of the California Interscholastic Federation. In 2021 100 percent of graduates continued their education in college. Immaculate Conception Academy continues to empower young women. It honors the legacy of Mother Pia Backes and the early founders. It provides a spiritual and educational foundation for students to follow their dreams.