Xaverian High School
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| Xaverian High School | |
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| "The Truth Shall Make You Free" (John 8:32) | |
| Established | 1957 |
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| School type | Xaverian Brothers, Private, Catholic, Single-Sex |
| President | Dr. Salvatore Ferrara |
| Principal | Dr. Joseph Marino |
| Location | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Students | approx. 1,400 |
| Faculty | approx. 98 |
| Website | [1] |
Xaverian High School is a private college-preparatory school located in Brooklyn, New York. The school was founded in 1957 by the Xaverian Brothers. Above the entrance is the school motto, "The Truth Shall Make You Free" (John 8:32). The school is a member of the CHSAA. Xaverian is governed by a President and Board of Trustees. President Dr. Salvatore C. Ferrera has served as President since 1993.
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[edit] History and Philosophy
Founded in 1957, Xaverian High School is part of an international network of schools sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers and is one of New York City's leading college-preparatory schools for young men. Rooted in the missionary charism of St. Francis Xavier and consistent with the principles and commitment of the founder of the Xaverian Brothers in America, Theodore Ryken, Xaverian High School is dedicated to the development of the person through academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and Christian service to neighbor and community.
[edit] Special Programs
[edit] Honors Program
The Honors program provides an enriched curriculum with courses in religion, English, global history, modern language, math, science and physical education. A course called Exploration relates these individual disciplines to one another through a variety of exercises such as critical reading and discussion, creative and expository writing and an exploration of a variety of cultural issues culminating in the development of a “Personal Project.” The program's goal is to prepare students for continued high level work in the years ahead, including the IB program and higher education.
[edit] International Baccalaureate Program
Since September 1997, Xaverian High School has been one of few New York City schools to offer the International Baccalaureate program, a rigorous pre-university course of study leading to examinations that meet the needs of the highly motivated secondary school student and provide students of different linguistic, cultural and educational backgrounds with the intellectual, social and critical perspectives necessary for the adult world that lies ahead of them.
[edit] Ryken Program
The Ryken Program is a secondary school, special education program for students who demonstrate the cognitive capacity to master a rigorous college preparatory program but whose academic performance is significantly hampered by a documented disability that interferes with the capacity to store, process or produce information. These disabilities include but are not limited to, reading, writing, or mathematics disorders, receptive or expressive language impairments, and attention deficit disorder.
[edit] Genesis Program
Recognizing the importance of helping all children attain their highest potential, the Genesis Program was formed in 1985 to challenge, support and nurture the abilities of 6th, 7th and 8th grade academically talented students. Such students require emphasis on higher level thinking skills, such as logic and reasoning and also, upon creative learning activities.
[edit] Athletics
As a member of the CHSAA, the Xaverian Clippers have a great oppurtunity to participate in serveral sports. These sports include baseball, basketball, bolwong, football, golf, hockey, lacross, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.
[edit] Music at Xaverian
Xaverian's music program was started in 1994 with the creation of the Concert Band. Since then, the program has grown to include six bands, a chorus, a choir, and a pipe and drum corps. Today, there are over 260 students enrolled in the program. The groups perform frequently throughout the school year in regularly scheduled school performances as well as outreach concerts at local public schools, senior citizen centers and local parades. The Xaverian Band is the official band of the Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day and Ragamuffin Parades.
[edit] Bands
- Select Band, the highest level group, is committed to performing the most challenging repertoire and is by audition only.
- Concert Band, the largest group, is made up of intermediate level musicians who are fine tuning their musical skills. Some experience is needed.
- Symphonic Band is the beginning level group. This group is open to any student who has the desire to learn a band instrument. No experience is needed.
- Two Jazz Bands are dedicated to performing Jazz standards of the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. These groups are by audition only and perform at the highest level of music.
- Orchestra is dedicated to performing standard string repertoire.
[edit] Other Groups
- Pipe and Drum Corps is the official band of the New York City Council, winner of the Best High School Pipe Band trophy in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The band is open to all students and is directed by Mr. Thomas Grenham.
- Jazz Chorus/Doo Wop Group is open to any student who enjoys singing, this group is dedicated to performing vocal standards as well as Doo Wop standards of the 50's and 60's.
- Liturgical Choir is open to students interested in singing during all liturgical celebrations.
[edit] Joe DiMaggio Award
Xaverian annually hosts the Joe DiMaggio Award Gala. The award was established in 1999 by its chairman, Dr. Rock Positano '76, with the approval of the DiMaggio Estate, in memory of baseball legend, Joe DiMaggio. Mr. DiMaggio was a friend and generous supporter of the school and was the first individual to receive Xaverian's highest honor, the Concordia Award, in 1997. Upon his death in 1999, Xaverian's Concordia Award was renamed the Joe DiMaggio Award to memorialize Mr. DiMaggio's life-long commitment to the health, education, and well being of America's youth.
To date, the DiMaggio Award has been presented to international statesman Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, Maestro Luciano Pavarotti, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, TV personality Regis Philbin, actor James Gandolfini, businessman John Bello, and football player Boomer Esiason.
[edit] Notable attendees/graduates
- Rich Aurilia, professional baseball player, 1989
- Michael Badalucco, Emmy-winning actor, 1972
- Scott Baio, actor (left before graduating)
- Jason Calacanis, Internet entrepreneur, 1988
- Peter Emmerich, cartoonist, 1991
- Levance Fields, college basketball player, 2005
- Joseph G. McDonald, professional sportswriter, 1988
- Chris Mullin, VP of Basketball Operations for the Golden State Warriors, 1981.
- Joe Patane from The Real World: Miami, 1988
