The story of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School began on July 22, 1992, when Bishop Daniel Buechlein appointed Father Milton Guthrie to OLPH Parish with the charge of building a Catholic school. Just nine years later, in September 2001, the dream became reality with the dedication of the new school facility.
Sister Grace Saia, SCN, joined the parish in 1993 to establish the preschool and kindergarten programs and became OLPH’s first principal in 1996. She was succeeded in 2000 by Ms. Mary Ann Wehrum, followed in 2003 by Ms. Patricia A. Wyckoff, who had served the school as a kindergarten teacher before stepping into leadership.
The school quickly grew, celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2006 with the graduation of its first eighth-grade class. That same year, Mrs. Lynn C. Lifsey joined the team as assistant principal, strengthening academic and faith formation programs.
After 13 years of service, Mrs. Wyckoff retired in 2016. Mrs. Cristy Sneed then became principal, guiding the school through a period of steady enrollment growth and expanding the STEM program. Upon Mrs. Lifsey’s retirement in 2018, Mrs. Elise Rodriguez was appointed assistant principal, continuing the tradition of strong leadership. OLPH was been served by the Leadership of Robin Perry, for two years before Dr. Tara Fox was named principal, in 2025, bringing fresh vision and commitment to Catholic identity, academic excellence, and whole-child formation.
Today, OLPH Catholic School serves children from one year old through eighth grade, offering a rigorous academic program rooted in faith, values, and community. From its beginnings in prayerful planning to its present day, OLPH remains dedicated to preparing students for lives of faith, leadership, and service.
Sister Grace Saia, SCN, joined the parish in 1993 to establish the preschool and kindergarten programs and became OLPH’s first principal in 1996. She was succeeded in 2000 by Ms. Mary Ann Wehrum, followed in 2003 by Ms. Patricia A. Wyckoff, who had served the school as a kindergarten teacher before stepping into leadership.
The school quickly grew, celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2006 with the graduation of its first eighth-grade class. That same year, Mrs. Lynn C. Lifsey joined the team as assistant principal, strengthening academic and faith formation programs.
After 13 years of service, Mrs. Wyckoff retired in 2016. Mrs. Cristy Sneed then became principal, guiding the school through a period of steady enrollment growth and expanding the STEM program. Upon Mrs. Lifsey’s retirement in 2018, Mrs. Elise Rodriguez was appointed assistant principal, continuing the tradition of strong leadership. OLPH was been served by the Leadership of Robin Perry, for two years before Dr. Tara Fox was named principal, in 2025, bringing fresh vision and commitment to Catholic identity, academic excellence, and whole-child formation.
Today, OLPH Catholic School serves children from one year old through eighth grade, offering a rigorous academic program rooted in faith, values, and community. From its beginnings in prayerful planning to its present day, OLPH remains dedicated to preparing students for lives of faith, leadership, and service.
