Beit Jala is a small town that lies near Bethlehem where Jesus Christ was born. It is relatively small and its inhabitants do not exceed ten thousand. Most of its people are Christians, about 87%, and the rest are Muslims. Together with Bethlehem and Beit Sahour, Beit Jala forms a Christian triangle where many Christians live.

       Bethlehem lies in its east borders in parallel direction of Jerusalem-Bethlehem-Hebron road that starts from its east-north part and ends in its east south part. Al-Khader and Ertas are small villages that lie in its east-south part while in its west part, lie some small villages such as Beit safafa, Sharafat, AL-Malha and Al-Walaja.

       It is believed that the name Beit Jala is derived from the Syriac word Calla that means collection of stones. While others think that it is derived from another word, which is Gyliwa that means happiness. This name is mentioned in the holy Bible. Many people assume that the name Beit Jala and its site are mentioned in the Bible.

       History tells us that people started to dwell in Beit Jala when Christianity began to extend widely. On the other hand Christians aimed at forming themselves as groups in Bethlehem area to gain certain strength especially when Islam took power in the region. Beit Jala was considered as a guesthouse that welcomed so many people to live in it. Saint Nicola approached it in the 5^th century and spent all his life in a small cave where a church named after his name Nicola has been built recently. Saint Thewthosius also came to Beit Jala for praying only and settled near a place called Cathisma or Qadismo well that lies in Jerusalem-Bethlehem road.

       Britain occupied Palestine in 1918,at the end of the First World War. Henceforth new era started in Palestine and social, economic, health, scientific and environmental changes swept over the whole country. Beit Jala of course was affected too. Two schools were established, one for boys and one for girls. Some local charitable societies were founded and the health status was improved in the region. Many youths were able to graduate and later on become new employee with the British mandate government; others made up their minds to proceed their study in Jerusalem. In the mean time building and constructing process started in Beit Jala, new houses and buildings were seen and consequently the area of the city was expanded.

       In 1948 Israel was announced and recognized as a new state by the U.N and because of the war had broken out, thousands of Palestinians were killed, thousands of them were expelled from their cities and villages and many massacres were committed against Palestinians. Some of the Palestinians who were forced to leave their cities and villages settled in Beit Jala whose inhabitants welcomed and offered them their help. Before this, all the people of Beit Jala were Christians.

       As a result of the war, recession was observed well in the region and unemployment was spread and poverty could be noticed. Many people could not stand the new situation and therefor decided to immigrate abroad, mainly to America. Beit Jala was one of the tens of towns and villages that were influenced by the new situation, many of its people left their town for America, south and east parts, who still live their. It is said that the number of people who left Beit Jala for Chile alone and still live there, exceeds the number of people of Beit Jala now!!!

       In 1912 the first council was established in the town. Mr. Salim Abu Al-subl was the first mayor and since then another 15 successive mayors have taken in power and Mr. Raji Zeedan is the present mayor of Beit Jala.

       Beit Jala witnessed an early educational movement in comparison with other Palestinian cities and villages. This was due to the role-played by some Latin, Orthodox and Anglican churches in the city.

       The Latin Patriarchate School was the first school founded in the town in 1854. This school was for girls and it was run by the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem.The Orthodox Patriarchate established another school for girls in 1858. The Anglican Church had its own school that was interested in teaching languages. In 1936 the Clerical Institute was transferred to Beit Jala from Jerusalem where it was established in 1852.

       The school was a primary school until 1994.Since then it has been changed into a secondary school that consists of all the educational stages. It’s the only secondary school in the area that belongs to the Latin Patriarchate. Students who attend this school come from other Latin Patriarchate schools in the region and of course from other schools.

       The school staff are about 45 teachers who are well - qualified and have university degrees. The number of students in this scholastic year 98-99 exceeds 700 students, boys & girls, distributed in its three educational stages. The students come from Bethlehem area, Christians and Muslims, both religions are taught in this school and it is worth while to mention that it is a mixed school for boys and girls.

       The school curricula are the same curricula taught in the state schools except the foreign languages. English language has its own materials in this school and in the other Patriarchate schools. It is taught in all the educational stages that start in the first elementary grade. French language is also taught in this school. The school has started lately to teach computer science and qualified teachers are appointed to carry out this task. The school has a well-equipped laboratory that helps the students again more knowledge theoretically and practically. This laboratory meets the requirements needed while teaching and learning physics, chemistry and biology.