Latin Patriarchate School in South Zarqa

History & Summary

The Latin Patriarchate School in South Zarqa is one of the oldest educational institutions affiliated with the Latin Patriarchate in Jordan. Closely tied to the development of the South Zarqa parish and the Church of Saint Pius X, its history dates back to the early 1950s. The parish began to form in 1949 with the arrival of the Rosary Sisters and was officially established with the appointment of the first resident priest on June 3, 1950. The church, built in 1952 under the leadership of Father Emil Shahadeh, was officially blessed on April 20, 1956, during the patriarchate of Alberto Gori. The school's educational mission began in the early 1950s, with records and photographs confirming the construction of a girls’ school in 1951. Since its founding, the school has played a central role in the local community, providing quality education and spiritual guidance. As part of the Latin Patriarchate Schools network—founded in 1869 with the first school in Salt—the South Zarqa school shares in the mission of serving diverse communities throughout Jordan. The network currently includes 42 schools and kindergartens, serving nearly 10,000 students from a range of religious and social backgrounds. The school emphasizes a well-rounded education that fosters academic excellence, spiritual growth, and ethical values. It also prioritizes support for students from low-income families, demonstrating its deep commitment to equity, community service, and social justice. A recent milestone in the school’s journey was the graduation of its fourth class in the Information Management stream in May 2016, in a celebration attended by religious and educational leaders—marking continued progress and achievement.