San Xavier del Bac Mission School on Tohono O'odham lands in Tucson., Ariz. The school which closed in August 2022, due to a lack of enrollment and critical staff reopened on Monday, August 5.
San Xavier del Bac Mission School welcomed back students this morning after indefinitely suspending its operations two years ago.
12 students from grades kindergarten through second grade will be taught by two new teachers at the Catholic elementary school located on Tohono O’odham lands including six-year-old Luke Rico, an incoming first-grader.
Rico expressed a mix of nerves and eagerness to start at a new school.
His mother, Kristina Rico shared that their family wanted Luke to attend the school before its closure because it is their parish and close to home.
“It’s a small school, I went to Catholic school and I enjoyed it, we’re both Catholic so that helps,” Rico said. “What made us decide to go to it this year, that it’s opening, the principal was, I mean she’s working hard to get Luke into the school to make sure that everything’s set up.”
Rico highlighted the proactive communication from Principal Minh Solorzano, comparing it to her usual experience of having to chase teachers for information.
“For us that communication is really important, Luke is dyslexic and he’s energetic so really making sure that we’re doing the right things,” Rico said.
Solorzano described reopening the school as an exciting opportunity and a blessing.
VIEW LARGER Principal Minh Solorzano of San Xavier del Bac Mission Catholic School. Solorzano transferred over to the school In June 2023, after serving nine years at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School. “To have the opportunity to help reopen this school is such a blessing and a privilege for me and to have Father Ponchi here at my side, to be a great supporter of that and the diocese as well, speaks a lot,” Solorzano said.
Solorzano has been working on reopening the school since June 2023, after serving nine years at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School.
“Knowing that the children are going to be here to learn in this building and to see that growth in faith and culture, it’s just priceless,” Solorzano said.
Friar Ponchi Vasquez, the pastor and guardian of the school has been with the mission since June 2022, two months before its closure due to a significant decrease in enrollment as well as the lack of critical teaching staff.
Vasquez noted that the school has closed twice before in its 200-year history but sees the process as a part of growth and life.
“Why we were founded 200 years ago, is still why we exist,” Vasquez said.
The recent closure allowed the school to regroup, renovate and complete necessary updates.
VIEW LARGER Father Ponchie Vasquez, pastor and guardian of San Xavier del Bac Mission. Friar Vasquez has been with the mission since June 2022. Vasquez said that being a smaller school, teacher recruitment and retention are challenges but the school always intended to remain small to focus on personal relationships and its students.
“Education is primary but also our catholicity; we’re a Catholic school and also we are on the Tohono O’odham Nation, so culture is essential,”Vasquez said. “The two main tribes here and again we are on the Tohono O’odham Nation but there’s also the Pascua Yaqui, so we seek to encourage and to help students celebrate their culture and that’s always been the stance introduced.”
A smaller class size is what also attracted Rico to enroll Luke because of his dyslexia.
“They’ve put so much effort already and just taking care of him, I’m confident that they’ll do that with every kid like they really care,” Rico said.
Solorzano stated that all 12 students are even receiving scholarships and tuition support.
“Our goal is to fully fund our families as much as possible, or get their tuition amount, what difference that they would owe after scholarships and other funding sources,” Solorzano said. “But we really want to get that number as low as possible to zero.”
“Applying for grants and process, I mean I barely did anything, they took care of it for me,” Rico said.
The school is reopening with grades kindergarten through second grade this year with the hopes of adding two grades per year.
VIEW LARGER The San Xavier School, on Tohono O'odham land. The school was founded in1864. “The next five years, I’m thinking we can get to eighth grade,” Solorzano said.
Looking ahead, the school also hopes to incorporate more of the Tohono O’odham language and culture into its curriculum.
“I just really feel like that’s a really important thing that kids should be aware of,” Rico said.
What Rico is really excited about is her son Luke learning how to read.
“We’re really excited and we’re really hoping that this works out because Luke needs it, and we need it and I just want him to read,” Rico said.
Solorzano encourages visitors to visit the school and parish.
“It’s going to be a great place, a wonderful, joyful place for children to attend and we want the best for our students. We want the best for our families. So come and see the school,” Solorzano said. “We’re hoping to continue to grow in our faith and our culture in every way possible.”
Later this month, the school will be hosting a back-to-school celebration on Saturday, August 24, with mass with Bishop Edward Weisenburger.
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