Compared to other Catholic Elementary Schools, St. Raymond School is one of the youngest in Northern California. It was the first new parochial school built in the Diocese of Oakland in nearly 25 years. The entire concept of a school began back in 1983 when Fr. Ron Lagasse, then pastor of St. Raymond Parish, established a committee to investigate the feasibility of an elementary school on parish grounds. With Fr. Lagasse's support, this group of parishioners actively pursued the building of a school.

After establishing the desire and need for another parochial school in the tri-valley area, the next step was to hire an administrative staff. The Sisters of St. Joseph, Third Order of St. Francis were approached and recommended Sr. Marie Myers as principal and Sr. Madeline Antoskiewicz as vice principal and 2nd grade teacher. Portables were purchased which would house 7 classrooms, office space, a library and computer room. Classes began on September 2, 1986 in the parish hall, as the portables buildings were not ready for occupancy. The doors opened to kindergarten through fourth grade with 111 students enrolled. The goal was to add one class per year until the full compliment of kindergarten through 8th grade was accomplished. June 1991 saw the first graduation class of St. Raymond School.

As time passed it was soon realized that a permanent building was going to be needed to house the entire school. After a rigorous capital campaign raised the money needed, construction for the parish school began. Groundbreaking for the new building was October 16, 1993. After many long months, the downstairs portion of the new building was complete. Rooms for Grades 1-4, art, science and computer were ready for the 94-95 school year. The following year, the kindergarten room was complete and they moved in for the 95-96 school year. Unfortunately, money was becoming scarce and it looked as though there would be a long delay in completing the upstairs portion of the building. However, a tremendous volunteer staff from the parish made up of construction workers, electricians, carpenters, and plumbers pulled together to complete the upstairs section of the school. In September 1996, the remaining grades moved in and the entire student body was under one roof for the first time in the history of the school.

Although the building was finished, construction at St. Raymond was still not complete. Moran Hall was refurbished to include all of the school's administrative offices, Kids Klub, a music room and counselor area. Finally, the portables needed to be demolished and full playground area designed. Today, the students at St. Raymond enjoy a lunch court, private kindergarten play yard, state-of-the-art play structure, serenity garden, basketball courts, hopscotch, 4-square courts, community vegetable garden and the 8th grade secret garden.

Not only have the physical surroundings of the school changed over time but the academics of the school have been equally enhanced. Today, Computer, Music, Art, Spanish, and PE classes are offered to all students. Extracurricular activities such as yearbook, school newspaper, California Junior Scholarship Federation, book club, honors math, faith families and a full library round out the curriculum. Each new faculty member, administrator and pastor has contributed to the rich history of St. Raymond School.

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