Pensacola Catholic High School

Infobox HighSchool


name = Pensacola Catholic High School
address = 3043 West Scott Street, Pensacola, FL, 32501
motto = Pro Deo et Patria (Latin: For God and Country)
established = 1941
type = Private
head = Sister Kierstin Martin, ASCJ
city = Pensacola
state = Florida
country = USA
students = 650
faculty = 55
campus = Suburban
mascot = Crusaders
free_label = Tuition
free = $6,000cite web|url=http://www.pensacolachs.org/newstudents.cfm?subpage=16917|publisher=Pensacola Catholic High School|title=Tuition and Fees|accessdate=2007-03-05]
$4,572 Catholic Parish members
colors = Green & gold
homepage = [http://www.pensacolachs.org/ www.pensacolachs.org]

Pensacola Catholic High School is a Roman Catholic diocesan high school in Pensacola, Florida under the jurisdiction of the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. It is co-educational, organized on the 9-12 plan with an enrollment of over 600 students. The school is an accredited Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and has been so ever since receiving the award in 1993.

Background

Mission Statement

Our Mission is to develop responsible Christian individuals by providing the finest in Catholic education.

Vision Statement

Pensacola Catholic High School is a vibrant Christian community offering quality education while emphasizing the teachings of the Gospel, the intrinsic value of the individual and commitment to service.

Core Values

Selfless Love Commitment to Excellence Personal Integrity Commitment to Service History

Pensacola Catholic High School is a Roman Catholic diocesan high school owned and operated by the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. Catholic High was opened in the Fall of 1941 when the former St. Michael’s High School, located on the corner of Garden and Baylen Streets, was renamed as it gained students from several smaller Catholic schools in the city and became the one central Catholic High School in Pensacola. It opened its doors to 180 students. In 1958, Pensacola Catholic High School relocated to its current site in West Pensacola. Through the years, the campus has undergone numerous additions and renovations to accommodate its growing enrollment. The Brent Media Center was built in 2001 and the Science wing was completely remodeled in 2003. In 2004, the renovation of the administration wing was completed.

In 1993, Pensacola Catholic High School was awarded the distinction of being named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. This honor is granted to outstanding public and private schools across the United States that achieve high academic standards and model excellence.

Pensacola Catholic High School has been continuously accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1928.

Current Information

Sr. Kierstin Martin has served as Principal of CHS since 1988. There are 35 full time and 6 part time teachers on faculty. 41% of the faculty holds a Master’s Degree. Current enrollment stands at 565, with a student/teacher ratio of 14:1.

Students are not required to wear a uniform. There is a dress code in effect.

In May 2008, CHS proudly graduated 139 seniors with 99% choosing to continue their education. Over $6.5 million dollars in academic scholarships were awarded to the CHS Class of 2008.

Academic Program

A total of 26 credits is required for graduation. Students entering CHS are placed in one of four ability levels (Honors, Accelerated College Prep, College Prep, and General Studies) based on their previous academic achievement and standardized testing. Dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses are offered to those students who qualify.

CHS offers an Adaptive Education Program for students with identified learning disabilities. The program offers support services to students who have difficulty functioning in the regular classroom.

Student Activity Program

All students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities while at Catholic High. Participation in either an athletic or non-athletic extracurricular activity enhances a student’s high school experience. There are over 24 clubs and organizations in which a student can participate. CHS has an active Student Council which serves a liaison between the students and administration.

Clubs/Organizations:

Band,Book Club,Chase Club,Chess Club,Crusade-Martial Arts Club,Crusader Chronicles Student Newspaper,Drama Club,Fellowship of Christian Athletes,French Club,Green Club,HOSA,Interact Club,Mock Trial Team,Music Ministry,National Honor Society,Relay for Life,SADD,Social Justice Club,Spanish Club,Spirit Squad,Strictly Ballroom Dancing,Student Council,Tesserae Literary Journal andUltimate Frisbee Club.

Athletics

Pensacola Catholic High School’s athletic program is vibrant. Numerous regional, district and state championship titles have been earned by CHS teams. The CHS Athletic Program has earned the State’s top athletic honor, the Floyd E. Lay All-Sports Award, twice. CHS was also awarded the Fred E. Rozelle Award for Sportsmanship by the State of Florida in 2003.

Sports:

Basketball (G/B),Baseball,Cheerleading,Cross Country (G/B),Football,Golf (G/B),Soccer (G/B),Softball,Swimming (G/B),Tennis (G/B),Track (G/B),Volleyball andWeightlifting.

The Athletic Director is Richard LaBounty. The current head football coach is Greg Seibert, who took over after Michael Smith left for Woodham High School. Smith led the Crusaders to three district championships, a regional championship, and state runner up in 2004.Fact|date=August 2007 The football team has won the district championship in each of Seibert's first three years as head coach (2005, 2006 and 2007). Nick Mead has recently replaced Mike Raidt as head coach of the men's basketball team, which captured the district championship for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons. The girl's basketball team is coached by Ron Robison. Girl's basketball has won 4 state championships since 1976. They won the district championship in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. Also, Felicia Terhaar has been named as the Head Volleyball coach, taking over for the late Randy Pounders. The girl's volleyball team has won numerous district championships. The baseball team has won 11 district championships, appeared in eight final fours, and won one state title under coach Richard Labounty, who has been the head coach since 1984. LaBounty won his 500th game as head coach on March 25, 2008 at the Westminister Classic in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with an 8-2 victory over Conifer High School, Colorado.Fact|date=August 2007. Three alumni have appeared in Major League Baseball. They are: Phil Hiatt (1993, 1995, 1996 and 2001), Jeff Farnsworth (2002) and Billy Sadler (2006 and 2008). Softball is coached by John Billy. The Softball team won the district championship in 2007. The Boys Golf team won the district championship in 2005, 2006 and 2007, the regional championship in 2006 and 2007, appeared in the State Finals in 2005 and 2006 (where they finished fifth), and had an individual state finalist in 2004. They were coached by Sonny Reedy. Boy's Soccer is coached by Kent Williamson. They won the district championship in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Girl's Soccer is coached by Breck Bankester. They won the district championship in 2007 and 2008. And under coach Eric Nelson, the Crusader Cross Country and Track team has also enjoyed much success. The track and field squad has had a representitive at the FHSAA state meet for the past 20 years, and the men's cross country team won a state title in 1993. For the 2007 Cross Country season, the men finished the year 20th in state, and the women 23rd.

Notable alumni, coaches, and faculty

Joe Scarborough - former U.S. congressman (1995-2001) and currently host of nationally broadcast morning show "Morning Joe" on MSNBC. Graduated from Catholic High School in 1981 (Wrote the class song and performed it at the graduation ceremony in May 1981). Played quarterback on the 1979 varsity squad and led the Crusaders to a respectable 6-4 season.

Billy Sadler - Major League Baseball (2006-Present) - Relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. Played his college ball at Pensacola Junior College and Louisiana State University, where he was the closer, and played in the College World Series. Sadler was selected by Seattle in the 37th round (1106th overall pick) of the 2000 amateur draft and in the 30th round (909th overall pick) of the 2001 draft, but opted not to sign with the Mariners. He signed with the Giants after they made him their sixth round selection (183rd overall pick) in the 2003 draft. Graduated from Catholic High School in 2000 when he was named the Florida Class 3-A Baseball Player of the Year.

Jon Akin - Oglethorpe University Head Men's and Women's Soccer Coach (2003-Present). Inducted into the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame in 2006 for his accomplishments as a player at St. Leo University. Graduated from Catholic High School in 1995.

Brian Waltrip - Professional Soccer Player - Currently plays for the Molde of the Norwegian Trippeligaen as an attacking midfielder. Waltrip played college soccer at the University of South Florida and was a Hermann Trophy candidate in 1999. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2000 MLS Superdraft by the Tampa Bay Mutiny. He opted out of this contract and chose instead to play for Tampere United of the Veikkausliiga in Finland. He spent only one season in Finland then signed with C.D. Olivais e Moscavide of the Portuguese Second Division.After a short stint in Portugal, Waltrip went back up north to play with Mandalskameratene in Norway. After one successful season there his contract was bought by Sandefjord. In Jaunary 2007, he signed a tree-year contract for Sogndal, but stayed only one season, before signing a two year deal for Molde FK. Graduated from Catholic High School in 1996.

Phil Hiatt - Major League Baseball (1993-2005) - Played in the major leagues for the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers. Attended Jefferson Davis Community College and Louisiana Tech University. Was drafted in the 8th round of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft by the Kansas City Royals. Hit 301 home runs in twelve years of minor league service. Graduated from Catholic High School in 1987.

Jeff Farnsworth - Major League Baseball (2002) - Played in the major leagues for the Detroit Tigers. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the second round of the 1996 major league draft. Graduated from Catholic High School in 1994.

References

External links

* [http://www.pensacolachs.org/ www.pensacolachs.org]