St. Gerard Majella School opened its doors to the children of Paterson on October 3, 1965. Sr. Helen Mazurek, F.M.A. was the first principal and Fr. Trapasso was the first pastor. The school began with 3 classrooms, first, second and third grades and each year another class was opened. For the next 35 years, it thrived under the guidance of the Salesian Sisters.

As the 21st Century began, St. Gerard Majella School looked to a new leader, Filippini Sister Jo-Ann Pompa, M.P.F. The charism of both St. John Bosco and St. Lucy Filippini blend seamlessly together making the transition to a Filippini School an easy one. Sr. Jo-Ann’s ceaseless energy and dedication to our school family has allowed St. Gerard’s to soar to new heights in academic excellence.