Christopher Columbus High School (Miami)

Christopher Columbus High School
Address
3000 SW Galloway Road (87th Avenue) Westchester, Miami, Florida, (Miami-Dade), 33165-3293 United States of America
Information
School type	Private
Motto	¡Adelante!
Patron saint(s)	Marcellin Champagnat
Established	1958
President	Br. Kevin Handibode, fms
Principal	Br. Michael Brady, fms
Grades	9-12
Gender	All Male
Enrollment	1,350 (2010)
Campus size	24-acre (97,000 m2)
Campus type	Urban
Color(s)	Royal Blue & White
Athletics conference	6A
Mascot	Explorer
Rival	Belen Jesuit Preparatory School[citation needed]
Accreditation(s)	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Newspaper	'The Log'
Yearbook	Adelante
Affiliation	Roman Catholic
Catholic Order	Society of Mary (Marists)
School Hours	8:00 AM to 2:15 (upper class men) PM 2:20 (lower class men) PM
Sister School	Our Lady of Lourdes Academy
Alias	C.C.H.S.
Website	www.columbushs.com

Christopher Columbus High School is a Catholic, college preparatory, all-male high school set on a 24-acre (97,000 m²) campus in the Westchester neighborhood in Miami, Florida. It was established in 1958 by the Marist Brothers who also form part of school administration and faculty.^[1] With just over 100 teachers and 1,350 students, the student teacher ratio is 14:1.^{[citation needed]} Offering the full range of academics, sports and clubs, it was selected, for the fourth time in a row, as one of the "Top 50 Catholic High Schools" in the United States by the Catholic High School Honor Roll of 2008.^{[citation needed]} The school is one of only two private schools in Florida that compete in sports at the 6A level; it has won five state championships in various sports and two all-sport title for boys' sports in its classification.^{[citation needed]} It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami, and is funded through tuition. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Columbus' sister school is Our Lady of Lourdes Academy.^{[citation needed]}

History

Christopher Columbus High School has come along way since ground was broken in 1958, in an area that was then surrounded by Everglades swamp land. The school was established by the Diocese of Miami at the request of Archbishop Coleman Carroll to continue the secondary education program at St. Theresa School in Coral Gables.

The school opened with just two and a half buildings and an enrollment of approximately 150 students. The Marist Brothers assumed the direction of the school in 1959. Under the leadership of Principal Br. Benedict, a unique Columbus spirit began to develop as the years went by, which would grow stronger, deeper and richer.^{[citation needed]} Because of its exceptional standards in every field^{[citation needed]}, more and more boys wanted to come to this growing, vibrant school.^{[citation needed]} Consequently, Columbus began to make a name for itself as a school that offered an exceptional academic program, along with excellent extracurricular and athletic programs.^{[citation needed]} At the same time, a fierce sense of loyalty, enthusiasm and family spirit began to develop, together with a strong bond of cooperation from the Miami community, all of which continues to this day.^{[citation needed]}

Throughout the years the school expanded, adding new buildings, facilities and programs. Presently the Columbus campus extends over 24 acres. In addition to the four major academic buildings, there is the Abraham Science Building, the Lawrence-Bell Media Center, the Howard Korth Music and Athletic Center and the Mas Technology Complex. Athletic facilities include varsity athletic fields, a baseball complex, outdoor basketball courts, tennis courts, a gymnasium, track, and weight room. Today, Columbus has an enrollment of approximately 1,350 students and over 10,000 alumni, many of which hold prominent positions all over the world.^{[citation needed]} Christopher Columbus High School is truly a model for Catholic schools all over the country.^{[citation needed]}

Timeline

• 1958: School opens with 2 ½ buildings and 150 students
• 1959: Marist Brothers assume operation and 1st class graduates
• 1965: The Brothers’ residence opens
• 1978: 1st computer course is introduced
• 1983: The Anthony Abraham Science Building opens offering 6 labs
• 1988: The Genevieve Abraham Chapel opens
• 1998: The Lawrence Bell Media Center opens
• 2004: Baseball Complex is completed and varsity baseball wins the state championships
• 2007: Voted as one of the Top 50 Catholic High Schools in the country for a 3rd time
• 2008: The Mas Technology Complex opens to a student body of 1,350

Catholic and Marist identity

The school chapel

As a Catholic institution, students are offered the opportunity to go to confession and attend Mass and various Catholic retreats. Catholic religious education is part of everyday curriculum yet students are also exposed to the various world religions in their regular history classes. St. Brendan's Catholic Church adjoins the school campus and is available for those students who need to spend some time with God either in private prayer or daily Mass as desired.

Mission statement

Christopher Columbus High School aims to make Jesus Christ known and loved, as we prepare young men for higher education and their continuous challenge of harmonizing faith, culture, and life.

Vision

Christopher Columbus High School is committed to a comprehensive educational program in academics, spirituality, and physical development which will lead our students to the experience of personal faith and of their vocation as good Christians and virtuous citizens.

Beliefs

• The cornerstone of our education is presenting Jesus as a real person whom students come to know and love.

• All students, regardless of their ability and achievements, need to have an equal opportunity to learn.

• Cognizant of differences in student learning, our curriculum incorporates a variety of learning activities and optimizes technology and multimedia as learning tools.

• The students’ performance is enhanced by maintaining high expectations for learning, keeping them engaged in the learning process, and fostering mutual respect among students and staff.

• A safe and physically comfortable environment promotes student learning.

• Teachers, administrators, parents, and the community impact the desired results of the school by sharing the responsibility for helping students learn.

• The educational process impels us to continuously engage in practices that support the ongoing improvements of teaching and learning.

Admission and academics

As a Catholic institution, the school does not discriminate on the basis of race or religion in its admissions process. The school is funded by tuition with significant discounts offered for 2nd and 3rd children enrolled in the school. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

In order to graduate, students require twenty-four credits and a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0. They must also complete seventy-five hours of community service by the end of their senior year. The academics at Columbus are based on a phasing system: Phase 2 classes are for the academically challenged who require more time to absorb a given subject, Phase 3 classes are for average students, Phase 4 refers to honors classes for the academically gifted, and Phase 5 refers to Advanced Placement (AP) classes, which have a college-level format and where academically motivated students have the opportunity to gain college credit should they earn the proper score on the AP exam. Depending on a given phase of a class, a student will earn a certain amount of points, which are then weighted and averaged to generate a student's GPA, the average GPA being a 3.2.

Outside of Columbus HS cafeteria.

In fact, Columbus has more students taking AP classes than any other Catholic school in Dade County^{[citation needed]} and their passing averages on AP exams are five times higher than the state and national averages.^{[citation needed]}

Curriculum design

The school’s college preparatory curriculum features a variety of instructional strategies and enrichment programs to serve a diverse learning community and enable students to achieve their full potential. Our standards-aligned courses are offered in ability group- ings to accommodate students’ learning styles and abilities. Smaller class sizes, coupled with sound educational practices which are assistive and supportive by design, and vari- ous summer and after school enrichment opportunities provide optimal opportunities for all of our students to succeed. The Advanced Placement, dual-enrollment and honors level classes offer our proficient young men opportunities to excel at an accelerated pace and possibly earn sophomore standing at many colleges upon completion of their high school years.

Columbus High School’s Mas Family Scholars Program is considered to be one of the most challenging academic programs in South Florida.^{[citation needed]} Designed for the gifted, highly motivated student, the program balances AP, dual-enrollment and honors courses with enrichment activities, summer classes, a guest lecture series, internships and independent study projects.*Mas Family Scholars Program = Designed for gifted, highly motivated students.

• Mas Scholars Program = considered to be one of the most challenging academic programs in South Florida.^{[citation needed]} Designed for the gifted, highly motivated student, the program balances rigorous coursework with enrichment activities, internships and independent study projects.

• Honors Program = Structured to academically advanced students with high grade point averages.

• College Preparatory Program = Excellent high school curriculum for motivated students.^{[citation needed]}

Dual-enrollment classes are offered through St Thomas University, Barry University and Florida International University . These classes enable the student to earn both high school and college credit for the course.

Mas Family Scholars Program

Begun in the 2005-2006 school year, the Mas Family Scholars Program is an accelerated program at Christopher Columbus High School. The program was started to provide select Columbus students with a challenging curriculum.^{[citation needed]} In addition to having an advanced curriculum, the students in the program participate in extracurricular activities. Mas Scholars are encouraged to participate in sports and to encompass the ideal of the student athlete. Mas Scholars^[2]

The Mas Family Scholars Program is an accelerated program of studies designed to enable highly motivated students to excel in academics. Students in the program participate in many enrichment opportunities and extracurricular activities. The program offers Columbus’ most challenging curriculum. In fact, the curriculum is considered to be one of the most challenging for high school boys in South Florida. Participants in the program are ensured to graduate with a minimum of 30 Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment college credits. The combination of the program’s curriculum and enrichment opportunities is designed to prepare students to be among the top candidates for admission into major colleges and universities.

The program is a continuing collaborative effort between Columbus and the Mas Family. Brothers Jorge, Juan, and Jose Mas, sons of the late Jorge Mas Canosa, are all proud Columbus graduates. The Brothers value the importance of a quality education and believe this program will give students an opportunity to compete at the highest levels in both college and life.

Program requirements^{[citation needed]}:

• Top 10% score in the Columbus Entrance Exam
• Recommendation from junior high school principal
• Completion of enrichment courses during the summer
• A minimum of four Honors/AP/Dual Enrollment courses during junior year and five during senior year
• B+ or higher cumulative GPA.
• Involvement in minimally 1 extracurricular activity per year
• Attendance at a minimum of two enrichment activities during the year
• Service to the community

Program benefits^{[citation needed]}:

• Students are ensured to complete a minimum of 30 college credits prior to graduation
• Periodic enrichment activities - Personal guidance and academic counseling
• Periodic status meetings with program director to ensure successful completion of courses
• College counseling and organized visits to universities
• Gateway to College
• Columbus College and Career Counselors will arrange periodic meetings with parents and students to explore college and career opportunities
• Preparation for PSAT/SAT examinations
• SAT 2 examinations upon completion of AP or Honors courses
• Induction into Honor Societies

• Ivy League college tours include: Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, Brown University, Columbia University, Princeton University, and University of Pennsylvania.

• Field trips: Past Mas Scholar field trips have included visits to the Everglades National Park, Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens, operas, theatre, museums, Hispanic Heritage Lectures, and art and music lectures.

• Summer enrichment opportunities: During the summer our Mas Scholars are given wonderful opportunities to participate in internships and college programs. In 2006, some of our Mas Scholars interned in the offices of government officials, at Miami Metro Zoo, and at HNTB Engineering. Several other scholars attended debate camp at Stanford University and Dartmouth College, participated in the LEAD program at Duke University, and attended engineering programs at the University of Notre Dame. Some scholars were mentored by professors at Florida International University where they assisted the professors with their research.

Students and faculty

Christopher Columbus faculty consists of over 140 teachers, many of whom have taught at or been affiliated with this institution for many years.^{[citation needed]} A vast technology system connects all the classrooms and provides teachers with the latest software and online grading system. Parent, student and teacher communication is facilitated by these online technologies. The racial/ethnic background of the students is 81% Hispanic, 15% White, 3% African-American, and 1% Asian/Pacific. The student-teacher ratio at Christopher Columbus High School is about 14:1.^{[citation needed]} The 98 professional staff includes 13 reli- gious, 2 priests, and 83 laypersons; 2 librarians/media specialists and 9 counselors/ advisors; 45% hold an advanced degree; 60% have over 20 years of teaching experience, and half have been with the school well over 15 years.

Clubs and social life

Although the school is an all male institution, the social formation of the students includes girls from neighboring co-ed St. Brendan High School in after-school clubs. Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, the Catholic all-girls sister school to Columbus^{[citation needed]} handles the cheerleading for the Columbus sports teams. Christopher Columbus High School also plays host to both Homecoming and Prom events each year for their students and their dates.

A wide variety of clubs are available for students. These include: Adelante (Yearbook), Chess Club, Close Up, Dominoes Club, Democratic Student Alliance, Drama Club, Fairchild Tropical Challenge, Film Club, French Club, French Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Intramural Athletics, Key Club, Math Honor Society - Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Robotics Club, Salsa Club, Science Honors Society, Scuba Dive Club, Squires, Rho Kappa and History Club, Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society, Speech and Debate, Squires Club, Student Activities Committee - S.A.C, Surf and Skate Club, The Log, Video Game Club, Retro Gamers Club, Weight Lifting, World Languages Club.^{[citation needed]}

Athletics

The tennis courts are adjacent to the gymnasium building, at left.

The football field is surrounded by the track and stadium seating.

Columbus and its sister school, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy,^{[citation needed]} are the only private schools in Florida that compete at a 6A level.

Varsity level sports offered are: baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, hockey, soccer, bowling, cross country, golf, lacrosse, swimming, diving, tennis, track and field, water polo and wrestling.

Junior varsity level sports include: baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, hockey, soccer, and lacrosse.

Freshman level sports offered are: baseball, basketball, football and volleyball.

In 2009, Christopher Columbus High School won the Dodge Sunshine Cup All-Sports Award for boys' athletics programs in Class 6A.^[3] Columbus has produced five state champion and nine runner-up teams:

Sport	Champion	Runner-Up
Baseball	2003[4]	1973,[4] 2009[5]
Football	—	1980, 1982[6]
Cross country	1997, 2008,[7] 2009,[8] 2010	1962, 1997, 2005[7]
Tennis	1987[9]	—
Track and field	—	2009, 2010[10]

2010 http://www.halfmiletiming.com/Datafiles/Spring2010/FHSAATrack10/4AResults/

Additionally, Columbus won the Miami Herald's All-Dade Boys' Major Sports Award in 2008^[11] and 2009.^[12]

Head football coach Chris Merritt was part of Team USA's coaching staff for the inaugural International Federation of American Football Junior World Championship in 2009.^[13] One player from Columbus competed on the team,^[14] which won the tournament.^[15]

Christopher Columbus' baseball program was ranked the number one baseball team in America during the 2009-2010 year. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/high-school/team-rankings/2010/269656.html

Campus

Columbus High School construction of Mas Technology Complex

Set on a beautifully landscaped 24 acres (97,000 m²)^[1] campus in Miami, Florida, the school features seamless integration of cutting edge technology throughout all 8 academic buildings, including Smart Boards and LCD projectors in all classrooms, fully equipped science labs, a media center, and a state-of-the-art technology complex with a digital based library, computer labs, and a production studio. Outstanding athletic facilities include:

• Football/Soccer/Lacrosse Field features high quality synthetic turf identical to the ones used in both college and the NFL
• Baseball Complex includes 24 ft. wall nicknamed "Blue Monster" similar to Boston's Fenway Park
• Gymnasium sits 1,200
• Tennis Courts
• Track
• Weight Room

There are four main academic buildings that are supplemented with a media center that contains a technical resource center, an auditorium, a TV news studio, a chemistry laboratory, a concession stand, and several offices. The science building contains a physics and chemistry lab. The school also has several computer labs, gymnasium, a tennis complex, a baseball complex, a weight room, football field, and a concrete track which is used as a parking lot.

In 2008, Christopher Columbus High School opened the three-story "Mas Technology Complex", which contains administrative offices, computer labs, a large library, production studio, recording room, and a school store. .^[16]

Notable alumni

• Tommy Byrne - '08, snowboarder and kitesurfer, Colorado Buffaloes
• Jorge Mas - '81, President of the Cuban American National Foundation & CEO of MasTec.
• Carlos Borges - '02, Vice President, Biomedical International Corp.
• Raoul G. Cantero, III - '78, former Justice of the Florida Supreme Court and grandson of former Cuban President Fulgencio Batista.
• Carlos A. Gimenez - '72, Miami-Dade County Mayor and former District 7 Commissioner.
• Nelson Hernandez - '03, Councilman, Town of Miami Lakes, youngest elected Councilman in Town History on October 2010.
• Enrique Murciano - '91, actor, CBS drama Without a Trace, movies: Traffic, Speed 2: Cruise Control, The Lost City, Black Hawk Down.
• Victor E. Renuart, Jr. - '67, United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
• Ray Rodriguez - '69, former President of Univision

Athletes

Baseball

• Alex Rodriguez - attended; an American Major League Baseball third baseman for the New York Yankees.
• Jon Jay - '03 MLB player for the St. Louis Cardinals
• Orestes Destrade - '80 Former MLB player for the Florida Marlins, New York Yankees, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Current ESPN baseball analyst on Baseball Tonight.
• Paul Mainieri -'75, Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America's National Coach of the Year - Led LSU to the 2009 National Championship of College Baseball.
• Izzy Molina - '90, Former MLB player for the Oakland A's and Baltimore Orioles
• Rob Murphy - '78—Former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Florida Marlins; pitched collegiately for the University of Florida

Football

• Mario Cristobal - '88, Florida International University Head Football Coach.
• Joaquin Gonzalez - '97, Retired NFL Offensive Lineman.
• Brian Griese - '93, Former NFL Quarterback for the Chicago Bears.
• Alonzo Highsmith - '83, former University of Miami and NFL football player and former professional boxer. Currently a scout for the Green Bay Packers.
• Patrick Lee - '03, Auburn University NFL-Cornerback Green Bay Packers. 2011 Super Bowl Champion
• Mike Shula - '83, former University of Alabama football coach, current quarterbacks coach for the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars.
• Mike Whittington - '76, former University of Notre Dame, New York Giants and Memphis Showboats Linebacker^[17]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "History of Christopher Columbus High School". Christopher Columbus High School. http://www.columbushs.com/history.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-07. 
2. ^ "Christopher Columbus High School Mas Family Scholars Program" (PDF). Adelante: The Christopher Columbus Alumni Newsletter. Spring 2005. http://www.columbushs.com/alumni/documents/spring.05pdf.pdf. Retrieved 2007-04-09. 
3. ^ "St. Thomas Aquinas, Bolles sweep Dodge Sunshine Cup all-sports awards" (Press release). FHSAA. June 24, 2009. http://www.fhsaa.org/news/2009/0624.htm. Retrieved March 5, 2010. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Baseball 2008–09 Championship Records. FHSAA. 2009. p. 32. http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_ba.pdf. 
5. ^ "2009 FHSAA Class 6A Baseball Championship". FHSAA. http://www.fhsaa.org/ba/2009/brak6.htm. Retrieved March 5, 2010. 
6. ^ "FHSAA Football Championship Records 2009-2010, page 3". FHSAA. http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_fb.pdf. Retrieved July 7, 2010. 
7. ^ ^{a b} Boys Cross Country 2009–10 Championship Records. FHSAA. 2009. pp. 11–15. http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_ccb.pdf. 
8. ^ "FHSAA Florida Finals XC Championships - 11/21/2009". FHSAA. November 21, 2009. http://www.fhsaa.org/cc/2009/state/4A_Boys.htm. Retrieved March 5, 2010. 
9. ^ Boys Tennis 2007–08 Championship Records. FHSAA. 2008. p. 3. http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_tnb.pdf. 
10. ^ "FHSAA Class 4A, Florida Finals - 5/9/2009". FHSAA. May 9, 2009. http://www.fhsaa.org/tr/2009/state/4_results.htm. Retrieved March 5, 2010. 
11. ^ "Miami Herald Honors Br. Kevin". Family Newsletter (Christopher Columbus High School): p. 3. June 2008. http://www.columbushs.com/documents/familynewsletter608.pdf. Retrieved March 5, 2010. 
12. ^ Fernandez, Andre C. (May 29, 2009). "2008-09 All-Dade Awards winners list". Miami Herald. http://www.miamiherald.com/2009/05/29/1072071/2008-09-all-dade-awards-winners.html. Retrieved March 5, 2010. 
13. ^ "United States: Coaches". Jr. World Championship of American Football. USA Football. http://www.usafootball.com/jwc/tournament/team/us/coaches. Retrieved March 5, 2010. 
14. ^ "United States: Roster". Jr. World Championship of American Football. USA Football. http://www.usafootball.com/jwc/tournament/team/us/roster. Retrieved March 5, 2010. 
15. ^ Beaven, Michael (July 14, 2009). "Team USA Crowned Inaugural IFAF Junior World Champion". Jr. World Championship of American Football. USA Football. http://www.usafootball.com/articles/displayArticle/6924/8015. Retrieved March 5, 2010. 
16. ^ "Mas Technology Complex" (PDF). Adelante: The Christopher Columbus Alumni Newsletter. Fall 2006. http://www.columbushs.com/alumni/newsletter/wntr06.pdf. Retrieved 2007-04-09. 
17. ^ "Mike Whittington Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards". databaseFootball.com. http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=WHITTMIK01. Retrieved 2010-03-11.