St. Pius X – St. Matthias Academy
by Lorine Parks
“A small school, with big benefits,” that’s how Principal Erick Rubalcava described St. Pius X – St. Matthias Academy in Downey.
Created in 2013 by the merging of St. Matthias, a girls school and St. Pius X school for boys, the new co-ed Academy on Gardendale Road has an energetic and upbeat leader in Rubalcava.
“What is the purpose of your journey,” asks Rubalcava. “Find your purpose and you will be happy in life.” For him, education was a way out of a needy and broken home. He has brought his passion for service to Downey’s newest high school.
The mission of the PM Academy is many fold: faith in God, academic growth, supportive of community, opportunity, inclusiveness, service inspired by faith.
By merging the two original schools, administrators have been able to keep the names, and to keep the histories. 95% Hispanic, and 210 girls to 100 boys, 82% of the students are below the federal poverty standard. Most are on some kind of scholarship to pay their tuition.
Ranging from 9th grade through high school, PM Academy’s academic record is excellent: of those who go on to college, 27% go to University of California campuses, 36 % to State Universities. 79% go on to a four-year school, proving that their graduates pursue education.
Principal Rubalcava went on to point out many reasons why Catholic schools are good for the community and for society. Their students have a positive attendance record, and save the public millions of dollars on cost of education. Had they gone to public schools, it would take taxpayer funds of approximately $14,000 per child per year to educate them. For those who would like to contribute to their Building a Legacy Fund, the St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy needs are specific: scholarship funds; 2 vans, upgrades for their gymnasium equipment.