York Catholic High School

Infobox School


caption = YCHS School Seal
name = York Catholic High School
type = Parochial High School
grades = 7-12
gender = Co-educational
established =
principal = Mr. George E. Andrews, Jr., M.A.
address = 601 East Springettsbury Avenue
city = York
state = PA
country = United States
enrollment = 752
faculty =
colors = Green and Gold
nickname = Fighting Irish
website = [http://www.yorkcatholic.org/ School website]

York Catholic High School is a Catholic high school located in York, Pennsylvania, USA, and operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg for boys and girls in the 7th through 12th grades.

Its mission: "York Catholic bases both its curriculum and extra-curricular activities on the Gospel values of Jesus Christ as articulated in the Roman Catholic tradition. They strive to provide a safe, family-oriented environment that will encourage sound academics and respect for self and others. They encourage and challenge all students to develop a mature, faith-filled and moral vision of themselves and their world by nurturing the spiritual, social, intellectual, emotional and physical needs." "York Catholic Home Page." York Catholic High School. Accessed 18 March, 2008 [http://www.yorkcatholic.org/HomePage/tabid/36/Default.aspx] .]

Campus

York Catholic High School is located at 601 East Springettsbury Avenue in downtown York. The campus and athletic fields stretch north and westward, stopping at Vander and Sampson Avenues. The school is located next to the York City Ice Arena, as well as various other locales downtown. The School is composed of a main classroom building reaching three floors in height, as well as a wing primarily used by the junior high students (grades 7-8). While many of the core junior high classes are in this area, students in all grades can have classes in the wing or in the main building.

Academics

The School teaches college preparatory and advanced placement curricula. This is evident in the seniors’ SAT scores, which are consistently higher than state and national averages. In addition, York Catholic’s high level of academic excellence has repeatedly earned the school merit from the Middle States Association. Middle States is an institution that accredits secondary schools and colleges which meet “prescribed qualitative standards of the Middle States Association within the terms of the school's own stated philosophy and objectives.” "Commission on Secondary Schools." Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Last Edited March 08, 2007. Accessed March 18, 2008 [http://www.css-msa.org/directory/accredit.html] .]

The following are a few academic statistics from the York Catholic website:

*Current average class size is 21 and current student/teacher ratio is 16 to 1
*90+% of graduating seniors pursue further education
*Weekly ineligibility/failure check
*Dedicated, certified faculty
*Middle States accreditation
*Art and Music programs

Many parents of current and past students have praised York Catholic on the quality of its academics. Widely-recognized greatschools.net is host to many accolades by various YCHS parents. In October 2005, one parent commented that “ [York Catholic has a] high college attendance ratio, even for a private school. Discipline and 'esprit de corps' has worked wonders for kids who otherwise might have been left behind in the more managed environment of a public school. Staff have an attitude of not giving up on anyone.” ["Parent Reviews of York Catholic High School." greatschools. Accessed March 18, 2008. [http://www.greatschools.net/school/parentReviews.page?id=3651&state=PA] .]

Religious Orientation and Spiritual Life

Although Catholicism is not a requirement for admission to the school, York Catholic’s curriculum encourages the Christian faith, as well as teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, while following guidelines from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. York Catholic’s desire to foster Catholic values prompts the school to "create an environment that develops personal integrity, respect for one another, reverence for God, and stewardship for our world."

The following are a few religious statistics from the York Catholic website:

*School day begins and ends with a prayer
*Frequent reception of the Sacraments
*Youth Groups – CROSS, PRAISE, Respect Life
*Annual retreats for all students

Students are also required to perform community service as part of their service requirement. This is to help foster habits of performing service to others through volunteer work. Students are to perform either 12 or 16 hours of community service per year depending on their grade.

tudent Activities and Athletics

Listed below are various extra-curricular student activities and athletic sports offered by York Catholic, according to its website:

enior High Level

Activities

*ALPHA Peer Helpers
*Chapel/Library/AV Aids
*Choruses
*Color Guard/ Band Front
*Dramatics/Stage Crew
*Forensics
*Language Clubs
*Liturgical Music Group
*Math Counts
*Mission Moderators
*Mock Trial
*National Honor Society
*Quiz Bowl
*Respect Life
*"Rosa Mystica" (Yearbook)
*SADD
*Science Fair
*"Spectator" (Student Newspaper)
*Student Council
*"The Looking Glass" (Literary Magazine)

Athletics

*Basketball
*Track
*Cross Country
*Golf
*Football
*Soccer
*Baseball
*Volleyball
*Softball
*Swimming (with York High)
*Tennis
*Cheerleading
*Wrestling

Junior High Level

Activities

*Chorus
*Civil War Re-Enactment
*Envirothon
*Dramatics/Stage Crew
*Literary Magazine
*Marching/Concert Band
*Math Counts
*Mission Moderators
*Stage Crew
*Student Council

Athletics(In addition to Parish CYO Programs)

*Cheerleading
*Cross Country
*Football
*Basketball
*Volleyball
*Track

References