Our History

St. Louise Parish School has been a part of the Bellevue community since 1961, providing generations of students with an academically strong education rooted in Catholic faith, service, and community.

A School Takes Root

St. Louise School was founded in 1961 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The school opened with Grades 1–6 and 425 students and grew rapidly along with the surrounding Bellevue community. By the late 1960s, enrollment had reached more than 700 students.

Growth came quickly in those early years. A new classroom wing was added in 1963, and St. Louise continued expanding its programs and facilities to meet the needs of a growing student population. The school was also an early leader within the Archdiocese of Seattle, becoming one of the first schools to establish a School Board and achieve accreditation.

Growing With Our Community

Over the decades, St. Louise continued to evolve while remaining firmly rooted in its Catholic identity. Generations of teachers, staff, parishioners, parents, and volunteers have contributed their time, talent, and resources to strengthen the school and create opportunities for its students.

A major chapter in the school’s campus development began in 2010 with the addition of a 50,000-square-foot, two-story School and Faith Formation Center. The expanded campus provided modern classrooms and dedicated spaces for science, art, technology, physical education, and other programs while allowing St. Louise to continue building upon the traditions established in its earliest years.

A Legacy of Leadership

St. Louise has been blessed by dedicated school leaders throughout its history, beginning with Sister Basil, the school’s first principal. Leadership later transitioned from the Sisters of St. Joseph to lay principals, including Dan Fitzpatrick, who served St. Louise for 33 years.

That tradition of dedicated leadership has continued through the decades. In 2026, Stephanie Kesterson became principal of St. Louise School, continuing the school’s longstanding commitment to Catholic identity, academic excellence, strong relationships, and service to students and families.

Built by Community

Parent and parish involvement has been a defining part of St. Louise from the beginning. Through volunteering, fundraising, leadership, and countless acts of service, families have helped shape both the school campus and the welcoming community that generations of students have called home.

Rooted in Tradition, Looking Forward

Today, St. Louise serves students from Preschool through 8th Grade and continues the mission established more than six decades ago: providing educational excellence in an atmosphere that fosters Catholic faith and values, spiritual and personal growth, academic achievement, and service to others.

While classrooms, programs, and facilities have changed throughout the years, the heart of St. Louise remains constant—a community where students are known, belong, and are prepared to carry their faith, knowledge, and character into the world.