Antonia Isabel Navarro STEM Academy

The goal of the Antonia Isabel Navarro (AIN) STEM Academy is to provide a unique 14 year (TK-12th grade) STEM experience aimed to ignite:

  • scientific thinking and confidence

  • scientific foundations

  • problem-solving skills, critical thinking and creativity

  • excitement about being lifelong science learners

Guided by the next generation science standards, we are committed and determined, to spark and nurture their STEM journey to excel in high school, university and beyond, so that tomorrow's scientists realize their potential through impactful, hands-on experiences.

By providing students with the mindset and skills necessary to turn dreams into reality, we will help them find success no matter where their scientific paths may lead.

Our new AIN STEM Academy has been an incredible opportunity to see the students we work with embrace creativity, problem-solve, and use teamwork in a dynamic way. Watching their excitement and growth as they tackle real-world challenges has been inspiring.

Lucia Saborio  

   STEM Director

AIN STEM Academy Coaching Model

Our Familia of Schools

  • Sacred Heart Elementary School

  • Our Lady of Guadalupe School (Hazard)

  • Epiphany School

STEM Academy

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Antonia Isabel Navarro

Antonia Isabel Navarro

October 6, 1938 - May 18. 2023

Early Years

Antonia Isabel was born in Alameda, New Mexico, and spent her younger years there with her family. During World War II, her family decided to move west to improve their economic status by finding employment in California. She attended Ann Street School in Los Angeles, just west of Lincoln Heights. Locals called her neighborhood "Dogtown" because of the Ann Street animal shelter. As she approached her teens, her family moved to Alhambra, where she attended school and graduated from Alhambra High School in 1957. She then entered into her first marriage and had two children, Debra Ann, and Jerry Michael. She began her career for the City of Los Angeles, working full time and raising two children.

Employment in City Government

Antonia Isabel found employment in the Personnel Department at L.A.P.D.

She then moved on to Right Away and Land and concluded her career with the City of Los Angeles with a position in the City Clerk's Office as an Administrative Assistant. She worked directly with City Council members and is known to be the first Latina to do so. While at the City Clerk's Office, she enrolled part-time in East Los Angeles College and transferred to C.S.U.L.A., graduating as a Political Science major. While at Cal State LA, she married a second time and had a third child, María-Elena. Antonia Isabel and her husband Robert would have been married 50 years on August 18, 2023.

It took eleven years for Antonia Isabel to complete her Bachelor of Arts, but she would not give up, as she knew the benefit of higher education. She attended a university part-time, worked full-time, managed rental properties, and cared for her family.

Employment in Education

After María-Elena's birth, Antonia Isabel retired from the City of Los Angeles after 20 years and decided to teach. She became employed part-time at the Rosemead Adult School in the El Monte Union High School District. She then entered a Master of Arts program at Point Loma Nazarene University and completed it in less than two years.

Antonia Isabel taught E.S.L. courses for several years and was then appointed to the position of Counselor-Administrator for the Adult School. She worked in refugee job placement, E.S.L., U.S. Citizenship, and job skills training, working with several government agencies, which funded her program. She worked until 2003, deciding to retire as her health had been challenged by cancer.

Philanthropic Work

Giving examples of Antonia Isabel's philanthropy would take many more paragraphs. Her grit and perseverance are what helped her earn her degrees. She is the only sibling of five to earn a Master's degree. She valued education, especially for children with similar economic circumstances as she had in her youth. In particular, she sincerely believed in the value of Catholic Education and had a glowing spot in her heart for schools in Latino communities. 

Antonia Isabel's philanthropy in Catholic education did not stop on May 18, 2023. Her family is committed to continuing her legacy and generosity. Today will not be the last day her name is heard and read. Her spirit of giving will guide her family to continue her passion and love for educating Catholic school students. The spirit of Antonia Isabel Padilla de Navarro exists in all who cared about her.