Fairfield College Preparatory School
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| Motto: Per Fidem Ad Plenam Veritatem | |
| President | Rev. John J. Hanwell, S.J. |
| School type | Private |
| Religious affiliation | Jesuit (Roman Catholic) |
| Founded | 1942 |
| Location | Fairfield, Connecticut |
| Enrollment | about 900 male students |
| Courses | 66 |
| Campus surroundings | University |
| Mascot | Jesuits |
Fairfield College Preparatory School (Fairfield Prep) is a Jesuit, Catholic high school, located on the campus of Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States. It is an all male school of about 900 students. It was first founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942. It is self-sufficient with no diocesan or government financial assistance.
[edit] History
In 1942, the Provincial of the New England Province of the Society of Jesus was invited by Bishop McAuliffe of Hartford to establish a Jesuit high school and college in Fairfield County. The Provincial, Father John McEleney, (later Archbishop) purchased 200 acres of land overlooking Long Island Sound in the town of Fairfield. The original Jennings mansion became McAuliffe Hall, the first classroom building, and the Lashar mansion became Bellarmine Hall, the first Jesuit residence. The first graduating class of 1943 consisted of eleven young men.
By 1946, the school's enrollment was approaching 800 and two new buildings, Xavier and Berchmans, were on the drawing boards. 1947 also marked the establishment of Fairfield University.
Through the fifties, enrollment remained by design between 800 and 900 students. In the meantime, the University expanded rapidly and the original campus of two buildings and fifty students grew into the campus of today, with twenty-four buildings and over 3,000 students.
Today, Fairfield Prep has an enrollment of 896 students. It conducts classes in Xavier Hall, Berchmans Hall and Pedro Arrupe Hall. The growth of the University has opened up to Prep a host of new facilities: The Nyselius Library, the Recreation Complex with its indoor swimming pool, basketball, racquetball, and tennis courts, the Quick Center for the Arts, and the Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Fairfield Prep has been known for its very successful hockey program in the past five years. In 2007, Prep won its 3rd state title in four years by beating cross-town rival, Notre Dame of Fairfield. In 2007, Prep enjoyed its most successful swim season finishing the year 15-0. The Prep swim season culminated in decisive victories at the SCC Championship and the Class L State Championship.
[edit] Notable Alumni/Former Students
- Jack Laurence - Vietnam Journalist and author of The Cat From Hue
- Justin Long - Actor
- Bob Skoronski - Greenbay Packer; Offensive Captain Super Bowls I & II
- Chris Drury - Professional Hockey Player
- Peter Sarsgaard - Actor
- Kevin Heffernan - Actor/Comedian/Film Writer (Broken Lizard)
[edit] Notable Former Faculty
- John McLaughlin - Television talk show host and advisor to President Richard Nixon
- Harry Hyra - Father of Meg Ryan
