St. Pius X Catholic High School (DeKalb County, Georgia)

St. Pius X Catholic High School is an Archdiocesan Roman Catholic high school in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, near the city of Atlanta. The school is located right off I-85's Exit 93 (Shallowford Road). The school was founded in 1958.

History

St. Pius X Catholic High School was opened in 1958 as the first high school of the newly established Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. It was the first large educational effort of the new diocese, and it was meant to be the first of several regional high schools located around the metropolitan area.

The school's founder was the Rt Rev. Msgr. Cornelius L. Maloney, Ph.D. As the first Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the fledgling diocese, he was, with the support of Bishop Francis E. Hyland, the diocese's first bishop, the moving force behind the building of this school. Msgr. Maloney was not only the superintendent of the diocese's schools, but simultaneously the founding pastor of neighboring Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.

As the school opened its doors in September 1958, few of the classrooms had even enough furniture to accommodate the 418 students entering St. Pius that year. Both the building and the school community were new and incomplete. Under the leadership of the first principal, Fr. James Harrison, and the staff of 15 sisters, six lay teachers, and one priest, the school quickly developed a unity and a spirit all its own. Many of these first students came from the recently closed parish high schools at the Cathedral of Christ the King and Sacred Heart Parish.

From the very beginning St. Pius was unique among the Catholic high schools of Georgia. It was the state's first Roman Catholic co-educational secondary school. Although most other Catholic high schools in the state were staffed by single religious orders, St. Pius was staffed by four different religious orders of women (Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet, and the Religious Sisters of Mercy) as well as lay teachers and diocesan priests. Like some dioceses in other parts of the country, the school administration invited these religious orders each to staff specific departments in the school.

During the first decade of its life while under the leadership of Fr. Harrison and the school's second principal, Fr. Jack Cotter, St. Pius grew rapidly both in numbers and academic reputation. By 1969 the school had almost doubled its enrollment and in that year graduated 180 students - an increase from that first graduating class in 1959 of 64 girls and 8 boys. The school's faculty consisted of 49 members with 24 sisters and priests and 25 lay teachers. Having attained accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools early in its history, the school rightly boasted of a fine college-prep program along traditional lines. It is perhaps no accident that in that last year of the 1960s, St. Pius X was State Champion in both football and debate for, by then, excellence in both sports and academics were a well-established part of the school's program and spirit.

During this period of the 1960s, the school community continued to grow and to be fed by new life and diversity. With the closure of Drexel High School in 1967, the first black students entered St. Pius. Two years later D' Youville Academy, a private Catholic school for girls, closed and students from this school also came to St. Pius. This period of the school's history also saw the arrival of sisters from the Monroe, Michigan Province of the
Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Community.

As the first decade of the school's history was closing, the school community began a period of serious self-evaluation. Under the leadership of the school's third principal, Fr. Richard A. Kieran, M.A., St. Pius began in the early 1970s experimenting with a number of these educational innovations which, for want of a better term, are generally called "open classroom" techniques. It was an exciting and creative period in the school's history. Class times and meeting days were varied through "modular scheduling systems". Curriculum was developed at an accelerated pace. Greater individualization was sought through materials such as "LAPS" (Learning Activity Packets). Students were challenged to assume greater responsibility for their education and personal decision making.

In 1973 Fr. James Sexstone, M.A., assumed the principalship of the school and continued the process of developing the school's program along "open classroom" lines. While St. Pius adopted and adapted programs and techniques that had been developed in other schools and universities, it also created programs which were the fruit of its own labors, and it was proud of its accomplishments. With the 1975-76 school year, however, Fr. Sexstone and the school community began a serious evaluation of the six years of experimentation. While everyone was impressed with the tremendous development that had taken place in curriculum during this time, there were serious concerns about the ability of students in this school community to assume the large degree of personal responsibility for their education demanded by the "open system" and the ability of the school's school plant to house such a program.

With the appointment of Fr. Terry W. Young as principal in 1976, the school community began a period of restructuring and reorganizing its program around the greatly diversified curriculum that had been developed during the "open classroom" period. In addition, new programs were introduced to meet the needs of underachieving students and students with learning problems. A pastoral ministry program was begun to better meet the spiritual needs of the students.

During the decade of the 1970s, the school continued to grow physically and to be enriched by new students and teachers. After 17 years of planning and hard work, a gymnasium activity center was dedicated in 1975. Four more classrooms were built to meet the needs of the new annual enrollment of 830 students and 59 teachers. With the closure of St. Joseph's High School in 1976, the school community was again enriched with the experiences and traditions of another great Catholic high school. The arrival of students and teachers from St. Joseph's allowed St. Pius to increase its black student population from 1% to 10% in one year. Other communities, i.e., the Ursulines, Benedictines, and Humility of Mary, sent sisters to serve at St. Pius X.

By 1979 the growing number of students seeking admission to St. Pius and the need for new facilities to house its developing arts program, computer education, and ever-expanding library collection, all seemed to indicate the need for significant expansion of the school's facilities. In addition, as the school was aging, there was a need for renovation of the existing facilities. Fr. Young brought these needs to the Archdiocesan Board of Education but was asked to delay any further work on plans for alleviating these problems until the board finished its investigation on the possibility of building another archdiocesan high school. Within a year the board finished its study and determined that a new high school was not feasible at that time. Fr. Young and his colleagues then began an exhaustive study of the school's needs.

The next few years saw the creation of architectural plans for an expanded St. Pius, and the launching of an archdiocesan capital fund drive which included monies for the expansion of the school. Demand for admission to the school continued to be strong. Finally, on May 24 1984, Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan broke ground for a new building. After some further delays, work actually began in late September 1984.

The 1984-85 school year was a difficult one in many ways. Like the 1958-59 school year when students and teachers had to bear with the inconvenience of an incomplete facility, those who attended St. Pius during the great year of construction had much with which to contend! Yet, the good will of all and the common vision of a new and greatly expanded facility sustained everyone during those hectic days. On October 26 1985, Archbishop Donnellan dedicated the new 400-seat performing arts center, facilities for dance, drama, and music, a 36,000 volume library, a beautifully renovated chapel, a computer lab, additional classrooms, and a renovated cafeteria and gym. Later that year, in the spring of 1986, a new track was also constructed. Changes were experienced in all areas of the school. The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa and the Sisters of Charity of Mt. St. Vincent sent teaching sisters to St. Pius as other sisters left. The school began the 1985-1986 year with 100 more students for a total of 975 students.

At the end of the 1989-90 school year Fr. Young announced his resignation as principal which would be effective June 30 1991. At the beginning of the next school year a committee composed of parents, teachers, alumni, and archdiocesan representatives was appointed to search for a new principal on behalf of Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, Ph.D. The archdiocese had previously indicated that an archdiocesan priest would not be appointed to this position. Donald T. Sasso, C.A.I.S., was appointed principal on July 1 1991, the school’s sixth principal.

The Donnellan Center was dedicated in October 1992, providing locker rooms, showers, coaches’ offices and weight rooms for the school's sports teams. Additionally, the building provided offices for the Development and Alumni staff. A renewed effort went into both these programs resulting in an active alumni organization and significantly increased and broad-based annual fund and other financial support to St. Pius from all those associated with the school. Maloney Hall, the original school building, received a complete exterior facelift in 1993 with all new windows and a brick facade to enhance its energy efficiency and appearance.

During the 1994-1995 school year, Sasso led a group of faculty and staff in the formation of a long range strategic plan to define the needs and vision of the school into the 21st century. Primary in that review was the need for additional and upgraded classroom and other space. With the approval and financial support of the Archdiocese, construction started in the summer of 1997 and was completed for the 1998-1999 school year. A science wing with seven labs and seven classrooms, an additional gymnasium, additional lockers, and major renovations in Maloney Hall as well as paint and carpet for all the buildings was included in the project. The “core” of Maloney Hall, was gutted and replaced with computer labs, classrooms, a hallway, and new guidance and campus ministry offices. Additionally, an extensive computer technology effort was completed resulting in computers being integrated throughout the curriculum and all aspects of the school.

In April 2000, Mr. Sasso was appointed Secretary for Education for the Archdiocese of Atlanta by Archbishop John Francis Donoghue. Ruth McCullough was appointed interim principal through June 2000. Stephen W. Spellman, Ed. S. was named principal on July 1 2000.

During the 2001-2002 school year, Dr. Spellman led the community in a strategic planning process which culminated in the 2002 Strategic Plan and a campus master plan. From there a fund raising feasibility study was performed and a final plan put in place for the school’s first major capital campaign, Building on Faith. The campaign’s silent phase was begun in February 2003 with the campaign going public in September 2003. In March 2004 construction commenced on the renovation and enlargement of the stadium and cafeteria and the addition of convert|10000|sqft|m2|-3 of space to the fine arts wing. When completed in early January 2005, the construction had completely transformed those three parts of the campus.

The newly renamed George B. Maloof Stadium was doubled in size. A new concession stand and press box were erected, and Sprint Turf was installed on the field. The cafeteria and kitchen were enlarged and renovated, reducing lunch periods to three during each school day. A new bookstore and copy room were located in former classroom space in Maloney Hall. The Fine Arts addition included a band/choral/guitar classroom with ample storage, practice, and office space, a new art room, enlarged dance and drama rooms, and new dressing rooms and storage space. The project also included a renovation of the journalism room, the breezeway, and student restrooms.

St. Pius has more than doubled its enrollment over the past four decades and increased its faculty fivefold. Many more lay people staff the school now compared to the beginning years of St. Pius X. The school still offers a comprehensive college-prep program with 19 advanced placement classes. It has also expanded its study support and computer education programs as well as increased its campus ministry, guidance, arts and athletic programs. Over 50% of the student body participates in the school’s fine arts offerings and nearly three quarters of the student body participates in interscholastic competition. Although the largest percentage of the students come from Fulton, DeKalb, and Gwinnett counties, students come to St. Pius from all over the metro Atlanta area.

ports

St. Pius X currently has 24 sports teams.

Football

The football team carries much tradition having been State runners-up in 1965 and State Champions in 1968. Although going through an extended period of under-performance, the hiring of new head coach Paul Standard before the 2001 season brought with it a quick turn-around. The Golden Lions are blessed for having many outstanding coaches that have turned this program around including Paul Standard. In 2002, Standard took the Golden Lions to the playoffs for only the second time in 22 years (previously in 1999 and 1981). In 2003, the Lions reached the state quarterfinals, followed in 2004 by a third straight appearance to the state playoffs. In 2006, the program reached a new level by reaching the state semi-finals (held in the Georgia Dome). A narrow loss to Northside by a score of 20-17 ended the season. In 2007, The Pius continued the winning tradition by making it to the second round of the playoffs.

Coaches

Coach Standard is in his sixth year (as of 2007) as Head Football Coach and has the second best record at St. Pius X behind legendary Coach George B. Maloof with a career record of 46-23. The 2006 squad concluded its season with a 9-2 record and an appearance in the state semi-finals losing to Northside Warner Robbins. The 2005 team finished 5-5 and for only the 2nd time in the past five years did not advance to the State Playoffs. His 2004 squad posted a 8-3 record and a third straight appearance in the state playoffs. His 2003 squad posted a 10-3 record and a trip to the State Quarter Finals-the best record in the past 35 years. That season was highlighted by a 20-17 victory over Marist which broke a 21 year drought in this great rivalry.

The 2003 Golden Lions finished with a final state ranking of 7th in class AAAA. His 2002 squad posted a 7-4 record, advancing to the State Playoffs. Coach Standard played for the legendary Coach George B. Maloof and is one of five classmates of 1980 to coach football. He coached at Loganville for a year (1985 Defensive/Offensive Line), Meadowcreek for five years (1986-1990 Offensive/Defensive Line) and ten years at Dacula (1991-2000 Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Backs) under Coach Kevin Maloof (SPX '75). At Dacula, his teams were the Region Champions in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1999 (co-champs) and in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1999, they were State Quarter Finalists. Coach Standard was named Assistant Coach of the Year in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1999.

Coach Stewart entered his fourth year at St. Pius (as of 2007) as the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach. He spent eight years as the Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator for Parkview High School during which time his teams won 4 State Championships and own the Georgia State Consecutive Win Record after going 45-0. Coach Stewart also coached for five years at Shiloh High School, sixteen years at Tucker High School and three years at Westmer High School in Illinois.

Coach Smith is beginning his 34th year of coaching football. He coached eight years in Dekalb County at Towers High School (1973-1981), and the last 24 years in Gwinnett County at Norcross, Central Gwinnett, and Dacula High.

Coach Garrison began his seventh year with St. Pius (as of 2007). He coached for nine years at Campbell High School and The Lovett School. Coach Garrison is the Offensive Line Coach and is the Head Boys and Girls Track and Field Coach. In Coach Garrison's first year in Track he led the Golden Lions to State Championships in both the Boys and Girls team.

Coach Gilbert entered his fifth year at St. Pius (as of 2007) as the Running Backs Coach and Varsity Baseball Head Coach. In his first year at the helm of the baseball program he led the Golden Lions Baseball team to a Quarter-Final appearance.

Coach Chattin began his first year in 2007 as the Tight Ends Coach. He began his coaching career at Fitzgerald High School, working with the outside linebackers and defensive backs.

Wide Receivers Coach Fason was a winning coach for Middle School Football, Girl's Basketball, & Baseball. He was also a WACO Varsity Football coach for the 1997 AA State Football Championship Team.

Coach Daniels, a new edition to the St. Pius coaches will be coaching Defensive Backs and special teams as well as the new "Responsible Fatherhood" class. Coach Thompson, also a new coach will be coaching defensive tackles.

Baseball

In past years the baseball team has used Dresden Park, Mercer University Atlanta, and St. Jude The Apostle's fields but has recently started using Oglethorpe University as their home field. In 2007, the Golden Lions built an indoor hitting facility on campus. When the baseball team is not using the building, the Golf and Softball Teams are allowed to use it - although the netting in the building does not prevent a golf ball from escaping. The Head Basbeall coach is J.T. Gilbert who is also an assistant football coach.

Lacrosse

Men's

St. Pius X Lacrosse team is an up and coming tradition at SPX. The Varsity Lacrosse team, coached by Scott Carter (also a freshman football coach and the head coach of the swim team), they ended their season in triple overtime against the Wildcats of Westminster 6-5. The Golden Lions Lacrosse team had a final record of 10-8 and made it to the AAAA quarter-finals. In 2008 they made it to the quarter finals but yet again losing.

Track and Field

Coaches

Coach Chad Garrison is known for his involvement in the football program but also for his dedication to the Track team. Along with Coach Garrison, St. Pius is blessed to have legend Antonio McKay as a coach. Coach McKay was a member of the US Olympic team and won a gold medal in the 400 m dash. With him he brings years of experience and dedication to the Golden Lions.

St Pius has another Olympian as a coach, Viktor Kirillov. A member of the 1976 (Montreal) Russian Olympic team, Viktor has extensive experience in training and coaching track and field athletes. He now coaches the Golden Lion pole vaulters.

Pius has yet another former Track star as a trainer. Coach Abraham Ghebru, a former championship track and cross country runner at Norcross High School and Mercer University. In the past, he has trained young men and women athletes of Norcross and St. Pius X track and cross country teams to compete in championship levels. In addition, Coach Ghebru has been an active member of EAAA and other international, world-class, running organizations.

Athletes

Antonio McKay, Jr. - son of former Olympic gold medalist, Antonio McKay, Sr. - competed on the Golden Lion track team, and holds several recods. His father holds the fastest 400 time in Georgia.

Notable Alumni

* Richard Armitage, deputy Secretary of State under George W. Bush

External links

* [http://www.spx.org/ St. Pius X Catholic High School]