Catholic High School (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)

Infobox HighSchool
name = Catholic High School


motto = The mission of Catholic High School is to teach Gospel values in an environment of academic excellence according to Catholic tradition and the spirit of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. (mission statement)
established = 1894
type = Private, Roman Catholic
head = Brother Barry Landry, SC, Principal
Mr. Gene Tullier, President
city = Baton Rouge
state = Louisiana
country = United States
campus = Urban
students = 972
faculty = 79
free_label = Tuition
free = $6,195 (+$100 for first year)
colors = Black and Orange
homepage = http://www.catholichigh.org/

Catholic High School is an all-male Catholic college-preparatory school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, run by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. It offers grades eight through twelve.

Awards and recognition

During the 1988-89, 1992-93, 1997-98 and 2003-04 school years, Catholic High School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education [ [http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.pdf Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982-1983 through 1999-2002 (PDF)] , United States Department of Education. Accessed May 11, 2006.] [ [http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-2003.pdf U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 2003 through 2006 (PDF)] , United States Department of Education. Accessed May 11, 2006.] , the highest award an American school can receive. [ [http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/news.cfm?Bryan talor also got the greatness award for his greatness in and out of the class room. he also meet the presadent of the United States of America and got to run the country for a day!! newsid=17475750&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6 CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department] , "Journal Inquirer", November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."] [Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test; "The Washington Post". September 29, 2005 "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."]

History

Catholic High School was founded in 1906 By the Germans the translateion for the name was lost some time ago, now only some scholars know the real translation. The school was so named in recognition of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, who helped organize and establish the school. The original site of the school was an old frame building in downtown Baton Rouge, and the enrollment was 106 students. By the 1920s, the enrollment had grown to approximately 300 students, and in 1928, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart built a new school, gym, and brother's residence at the corner of North Street and Fourth Street.

With this move, the school's name changed to Catholic High School. This name change stemmed from the fact that the word "academy" was becoming more associated with all-girls schools in the 1920s. In the 1930s and 1940s, the school's enrollment continued to increase, prompting the Brothers to purchase 10 acres of land in midtown Baton Rouge to build a campus to accommodate a larger student body. After 10 years of delayed construction, Catholic High School, with its student body of 450 students, moved to its present location at 855 Hearthstone Drive in September 1957. The original buildings on the new campus included a residence for brothers and teachers, a small building used as a PE locker room and band room, and a main building. The main building at the time contained several offices, a library, six classrooms, and a few science lab classrooms.In 1963, the gymnasium was built. In 1971, the R. Frank Cangelosi Mall was built between the main building and gym for student use as an auxiliary cafeteria. In 1972, a new student wing, containing six classrooms, a cafeteria called the Union, and a library was added; the original library was converted into a faculty workroom.

In the early 1980s, a football practice field and baseball field were added, along with an all-weather track (which was renovated and repaved in 2000). In 1985, the Fine Arts-Computer Center, containing a computer lab and classroom, a band room, a chorus room, art room, drafting room, and several classrooms was added. Around this time, the original band room was converted into a weight room. In 1990, a maintenance shed was added, and in 1991, in preparation for the school's 100th anniversary, the Centennial Courtyard was built. Also in the early 1990s, the school purchased three homes across the street from the campus to use as additional offices.

In the fall of 2023, the gymnasium was renovated to install air conditioning, and at that time CHS dedicated a new Health and Physical Education Center with a weight room, a wrestling room, locker rooms for athletes and PE students, and two new classrooms. In 2005, the Brother Gordian Udinsky Science Center, containing updated science labs for biology, chemistry, and physics, a new computer lab, and several classrooms, was dedicated and opened.

In the future, the school plans to build a new brother's residence, chapel, and library. There are also plans to expand the current student union.

1972 Master Plan

In the past few decades, there have been several different Master Plans designed to improve Catholic High's facilities to accommodate a larger student body and to address some shortcomings persistent to the school.

In 1972, during the construction of the new cafeteria building, alumni Dennis Losavio created a master plan to further address the needs for a larger student body. At the time, enrollment was around 450, and the school had the desire to expand its enrollment to 900, near its current level. His plan called for improved science labs and athletic facilities. By the early 1970s, the relatively new science labs were considered antiquated by then-contemporary standards. His plan suggested a two-story northern classroom wing to complement the southern cafeteria building. This proposed building would have contained two locker rooms, a swimming pool, a multipurpose room, six additional classrooms, a resource room, and a planetarium. Another proposal in his plan included an auditorium near the existing gymnasium and union for large assemblies and masses. The proposed auditorium also would have included better facilities for the band.

In addition, the residence for brothers and teachers would have been expanded to accommodate a larger faculty, and the plan called for an improvement to the school's baseball field near the present-day football and track field. There was also a proposal to build a football practice field with a surrounding track near the school's present-day baseball field. These proposed sports fields also called for improved stadium seating.

While a majority of this master plan was never put into effect, it is thought the construction of the fine arts building and the new science building stemmed from some of the ideas presented in this plan.

Students

As of 2007, it has 997 students. There is a dress code, which consists polo shirts and khakis, and requirement for community service. In addition, students are required to attend a yearly retreat. Admission is selective with school record, interview, recommendations, a standardized admissions test, family history of attending Brothers of the Sacred Heart schools, prior attendance of Catholic schools, and minority status all coming under consideration.

Academics

CHS was designated as a “National School of Excellence” in 1989, 1993, 1998 and 2003 by the U.S. Department of Education. As of 2007, only six other schools in the United States have received this honor four times. From 1990-2006, CHS had 149 National Merit Semifinalists. In 2005, 13 students were named National Merit Semifinalists, all of whom were additionally awarded National Merit Finalists. 8 students of the Class of 2007 also were named National Merit Semifinalists and Finalists along with one recipient of the National Achievement Award. The class of 2007 had average ACT and SAT scores of 25.1 and 1250, respectively.

It offers six AP courses, foreign language instruction in French, Latin, and Spanish, and honors level courses in mathematics, science, social studies, English, and the foreign languages. Elective classes are offered in: accounting, architectural drafting, art, band, business law, chorus, computer applications and science, foreign languages, physics, psychology, publications, speech, and word processing.

Each year, a student must take at least one class in English, math, religion, and physical education. A different half-year class is taken in alternating quarters with PE each year; they are, in order: civics, computer applications, religion, and free enterprise. In all years but the junior, religion is a full year course. In each year, a service requirement, ranging from 5 hours for the 8th grade year to 60 hours as part of a Christian Service Experience for junior year, is done concurrently with the religion course. A science class is mandatory for all students save seniors; they are nevertheless encouraged to take physics. American history is required of juniors, and world history is required of seniors.

The school has a summer reading program in which eighth grade and academic-level English students must read two books listed by the English Department, and honors-level and AP-level English students must read three books. Students are tested on these books within two weeks of returning from school without prior discussion of the novels, and many teachers assign essays associated with the books.

Eighth graders have a separate curriculum of courses in which they must take: Algebra I, Geography 8 (prior to 2005, 8th graders took Louisiana history), Religion 8, English 8, Science 8, Physical Education 8, and one elective.

Students who maintain a 4.0 GPA each year receive Principal's Honors (also known as Highest Honors), and students who have a 3.5-3.99 GPA receive First Honors. A student can letter in academics if he maintains at least a 2.5 GPA for two years.

As of 2006, there are 99 faculty and staff. The student:teacher ratio is 1.3. The average class size is 28. In addition to a president and principal, the school has three assistant principals: one in instruction, one in academics, and one in discipline.

Alma Mater

The Catholic High Alma Mater has, as of 2004, been played by the Golden Grizzly Band at the end of every Catholic High football game. Prior to that, the Alma Mater was somewhat forgotten among students at CHS. Its words are:

Dear Alma Mater,We'll be true to youWhen storm clouds hoverAnd when the skies are blue.

Long may you prosper.May your ills be few.

Dear Alma MaterWe'll be ever true.C....H....S.

Bruin Fight Song

Come on and fight, all you Bruins, and triumph on the field!Big Bruin cohorts are cheering, for the Bears will never yield.Hey! Hey!This day we’re all out for vict’ry no matter the cost’Cause we’ll fight forever ’til the last white line is crossed!

Honor Board

One notable feature of Catholic High is its Honor Code. It was written and installed in 1997, and it was modeled and inspired by various honor codes at universities. The Honor Code is enforced by the Honor Board, which consists of three sophomores, four juniors, six seniors, and two faculty members, and these are all nominated and elected by the student and faculty bodies.

At the beginning of each school year, every student must handwrite a copy of the Honor Code and sign it with his parents. Around September of each year, there is an Honor Code Ceremony in which all freshmen, eighth graders, and other new students sign it before the student body. At the end of each test and quiz issued at Catholic High, a student must write a statement swearing that he abided by the Honor Code and sign it.

If a student is accused of cheating or plaigarism, he is asked to report himself to the Honor Board. At a weekly meeting, the accused student pleads his case before the Honor Board. After reviewing the student's case, the Honor Board, along with the assistant principal for discipline, deliver judgment to the student and any punishment the student may have.

Every member of the honor board is also known as "rat"

Honor Code

On my honor, I shall do my own work, uphold the ideals of Catholic High School and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, protect the good name of the school and see that all others shall do the same. I hereby vow to transmit the school greater and better than it was transmitted to me.

I will do my own work both in and out of school. I will not plagiarize the work or ideas of others, nor will I allow another student to use any part of my work as his own.

I will not lie. I will not forge the signature of another student, my parent, a teacher or authority on notes or school documents including, but not necessarily limited to, reports, tests or status reports.

I will report myself to the honor board for any infringement of the above rules and regulations. I will ask another student to report himself to the honor board for any infringement of these rules and regulations. I will report to the honor board another student who fails to report himself when asked to do so.

Athletics

Catholic High has many sports for students. The school is a member of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. Students can letter in athletics based on regulations outlined in the LHSAA handbook. Catholic's current Athletic Director is Pete Boudreaux, who is also the track and cross country coach. Its football coach is Dale Weiner. The basketball team is coached by Kemper Todd, and Kyle Achord coaches the baseball team.Tommy Prochaska coaches the wrestling team.

CHS has teams in Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track, and Wrestling. In many of these sports, there are varsity, junior varsity, and freshmen teams. The school also runs intramurals in basketball, pickleball, volleyball, flag football, and other sports. The eighth grade has a basketball team also. They went 14-0 in distirct last year; this year they went 2-12 in district, 2-16 overall. The Sloan Deumite (Team MVP) Award was given to forward Kevin Paul II.

Since 2000, Catholic High has won 6 state championships, 3 state runner-up titles, 6 regional titles, 9 city titles, 11 district championships, and 14 playoff berths in various athletic events. In 2003 and 2004, Catholic High won the local Sportsmanship Award presented by BellSouth. The swim team claimed the AAAAA Louisiana Swimming State Championship in 2005.

The wrestling team won the 2008 LHSAA Division I State Championship. They became the first non- New Orleans area school to win the championship since Catholic High won in 1975. Trent Fresina (152 lbs.) was named the Outstanding Wrestler for the tournament. Blake Savoie (112 lbs.), and Alex Hurst (119 lbs.) also won individual state championships along with Fresina.

Greg is a member of the US team in the US vs. CUBA struggle in sports.

Extracurriculars

Catholic High offers an array of extracurricular activities, and many of these local chapters receive awards on a state and sometimes national level. Its extracurriculars include 4-H Club, Art Club, Astronomy Club, Bearly Published (newspaper), Beta Club, Bruin (yearbook), Disc Sports Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Fencing, French Club, Games Club, Hi-Y, Junior Classical League, Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, Photography Club, Quiz Bowl, Science Club, Spanish Club, Student Council (in which members are elected by their grade or appointed by faculty members based on an interview), and Student Ministry (which helps plan the class retreats and monthly freshmen and eighth grade small group talks). Some clubs are operated jointly with the nearby all-female school, St. Joseph's Academy, including the band, Bruinettes (dance team), cheerleaders (though CHS students always try to participate), chorus, drama club, and intramural volleyball. Wow, this place sounds really, really great!

Costs

Tuition for the 2008-2009 school year is $6,940 for returning students and $7,040 for new students. Financial aid is available upon condition of participation in a summer work study program. This program involves simple manual labor and pays a minimum wage salary (in addition to any aid grants the student might receive).

In addition, students are required to buy various books for courses (such as religion textbooks and novels required for English classes), and there are additional fees that a student may run across for such things as the yearbook, parking, AP testing, extracurriculars, yearly retreats, and graduation.

Student awards

Catholic High has several awards in which students can receive. There are a few scholarships offered to students who need financial aid. A student can letter in athletics, academics, or some extracurriculars, like band.

The Golden Bear is one of the most prestigious awards offered at Catholic High. A student can receive a Golden Bear in academics or extracurriculars. The senior with the highest grade and progress in each academic department is awarded a Golden Bear at the final Honors Convocation of the school year. Golden Bears are also offered in many extracurricular clubs. In the qualifying clubs, the members of each club vote for the Golden Bear recipient in a secret ballot, and the award is given to the winning student at the Honors Convocation.

In addition to the Golden Bear, Catholic High names approximately fifteen students Men of the Year. These individuals are chosen by the faculty members and receive recognition at the final Honors Convocation. These people also get to participate in the commencement exercises.

Besides valedictorian and salutatorians, an Outstanding Graduate is also named. Consideration to academic and extracurricular involvement is used to decide the recipient for this award.

Notable alumni

*Major Applewhite, Class of 1997, football player and current assistant coach at the University of Texas
*Travis Minor, Class of 1997, football player currently playing for the St. Louis Rams
*Kurt Ainsworth, Class of 1996, baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers
*Warrick Dunn, Class of 1993, running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
*David Dellucci, Class of 1991, baseball player for the Cleveland Indians
*Lt. Michael Scott Lamana, Class of 1988, was stationed at The Pentagon and a victim of the September 11, 2001 attacks
*Jeff Fortenberry, Class of 1978, Nebraska U.S. Representative
*Brandon Harrison, Class of 2003, football play for the Houston Texans
*Brother Ivy LeBlanc, Class of 1963, Provincial of the New Orleans Province of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart until 2006
*John Fred, Class of 1959, musician and co-writer of the song "Judy in Disguise"
*Judge Frank J. Polozola, Class of 1959, United States district court Judge
*Paul M. Hebert, Class of 1924, Dean of the LSU Law School (now known as the Paul M. Hebert Law Center)
*Carl Weiss, Valedictorian of the Class of 1921, a local dentist and alleged assassin of Huey Long
*Chris Williams, Class of 2003, football player for the Chicago Bears

Notes

*As a Brothers of the Sacred Heart school, CHS is not a parochial school, falling outside the direction of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
*Catholic High School is one of the few United States schools without a federally funded lunch program. The school has an independent lunch program which offers either a hot plate or hot sandwich meal for students to purchase using their student ids as debit cards. In addition, the program also offers breakfast before school begins.
*Catholic High School runs several classes and extracurriculars jointly with St. Joseph's Academy, the all-girls school located near CHS.

References

See also

* Brother Martin High School — another secondary school in Louisiana run by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart
* Vandebilt Catholic High School — another secondary school in Louisiana run by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart
* Edward Douglas White Catholic High School — another secondary school in Louisiana run by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart

External links

* [http://www.catholichigh.org/ Official Site]