Devon Preparatory School
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Devon Preparatory School is a middle school/high school in Devon, Pennsylvania. It was founded by a group of Piarist fathers (See St. Joseph Calasanctius) The Devon Prep middle school goes from 6th-8th grades. The high school ranges from 9th to 12th.
| Name | Devon Preparatory School |
| Address | 363 North Valley Forge Road |
| Town | Devon, Pennsylvania, 19333 |
| Established | 1956 |
| Community | Suburban |
| Type | Private (Independent) |
| Religion | Catholic (Piarist) |
| Students | Male |
| Grades | 6 through 12 |
| Nickname | Tide |
| Colors | Blue and Yellow |
| Motto | The Devon Prep Difference |
| Web site | Devon Preparatory School website |
Contents |
[edit] School History
St. Joseph Calasanctius, the founder of the Piarist Order, was born in Peralta de la Sal, Spain in 1556. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1583, and nine years later he moved to Rome. St. Joseph was very moved by the intellectual and moral misery of the poor children of Rome. Therefore, with the permission of Pope Clement VIII, he opened a free school for them at St. Dorothy's Church in 1597. This school, which was open to every child regardless of religion, is believed to be the world's first modern elementary school.
On March 25, 1617, with the permission of Pope Paul V, St. Joseph Calasanctius and fourteen other men became the first members of a new religious congregation. On November 18, 1621 Pope Gregory XV raised this congregation to the rank of a religious order, calling it the Order of the Pious Schools (in short, the Piarists.) The abbreviation "Sch.P." following the name of a Piarist means Scholarum Piarum (of the Pious Schools.) The Piarists, as any religious, professed the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. In addition, according to the wishes of St. Joseph, members of the Order also professed a fourth vow to dedicate their lives to the education of the young. Even today, members of the Order profess these four vows.
St. Joseph Calasanctius died on August 25, 1648 at St. Pantaleo's Church in Rome, where his body is still buried. Pope Clement XIII declared him a saint in 1767, and in 1948 Pope Pius XII named him Patron of Christian Schools. During the lifetime of St. Joseph Calasanctius, the Piarists began to grow in numbers and in schools.
Today, there are over 1500 Piarists who work in 214 communities in 28 countries. These countries include: United States, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Bohemia (Czech Rep.), Dominican Republic, Ecuador, England, Equatorial Guinea, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Soviet Union, Spain, and Venezuela. There are over 115,000 students attending Piarist schools in these countries.
[edit] The Piarist Heritage
Nearly four centuries ago, St. Joseph Calasanctius founded the Piarist Order and dedicated it to the education of youth. Today Devon Prep continues the vital Piarist mission. The Roman Catholic school and its community of teachers, parents, administrators, alumni, and friends are committed to developing the mental, physical, and spiritual potentials of its students, young men in grades six through twelve. A challenging college-preparatory curriculum encourages intellectual curiosity and creativity; a diverse extracurricular program nurtures individual skills and interests; an atmosphere of discipline and cooperation promotes an environment conductive to learning; and a Christian culture fosters a love for God, a positive self-image, and a respect for others. Guided by a Piarist education rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, Devon Prep graduates are prepared to be responsible, compassionate leaders who serve God by providing service to humanity.
[edit] The Goals of a Devon Prep Education
Promote Piarist traditions of teaching. Within a Roman Catholic framework and the teachings of Jesus Christ, help each student to understand his relationship with God, his place in God's plan, and his responsibilities to his fellow man. Enable students to put their faith into action through activities designed to help those less fortunate, both intellectually and materially. Foster a spirit of respect among all members of the Devon Prep Community. Maintain and develop curricular and extracurricular programs that challenge the intellectual capability and curiosity of students and thereby strengthen their skills of inquiry, critical analysis, decision-making, and communication. Maintain and develop extracurricular programs that nurture the diverse skills and interests of students and thereby strengthen their mental, physical, social and leadership abilities. Through coursework, extracurricular activities, and assemblies, teach students to be good citizens in our pluralistic society. Through effective classroom management, establish environments conductive to learning, where creative and independent thought is enthusiastically encouraged and respectfully considered.
[edit] Campus
The 20 acre campus features seven buildings, two soccer fields (new in 1990), and a baseball field (new in 1990). They are presently building a new school which will be ready in the fall of 2004. The school is situated on the estate once owned by Philadelphia publisher Dr. Charles M. Lea.
Calasanctius Hall-The "old building" or "mansion" built in 1913 is now home to the Middle School, with six classrooms on the second floor. Calasanctius Hall also houses the Library and the school's Guidance Office, Public Relations, Admissions, and Development Office. A large first floor hall has hosted presentations, school plays, and receptions. The Piarist Fathers live on the third floor.
Main Building-Built in 1961, the main building includes nine classrooms, a Biology Lab, a Physics Lab, a Computer Center, and an Art Room. Devon's Bookstore, Health Center, and various administration offices are also located in the main building.
Gymnasium-A full-sized basketball court hosts home games for the Middle School CYO team and the Upper School JV and Varsity teams. Weekdays after school feature intramural games. A large stage makes othe gym an all-purpose auditorium for student assemblies, theatrical performances, guest speakers, or Devon's popular dances. A major addition to the Athletic Facility was completed in 1999, adding additional locker room space, Coach's Room, and weight-training equipment.
Carriage House-Once the place where wagons were repaired, this building has been converted into a Chemistry Lab on the first floor, and a Music Center on the second floor.
St. Mary's Chapel-Formerly a stable, this is now the School Chapel seating over 100 comfortably. Devon uses the chapel for masses and smaller gatherings, such as the Junior Ring Mass.
Activities Cottage-A guest house of the estate is now used as a meeting place for several student activities, including the school yearbook, The Calasanctian.
Edwin D. Keller Memorial Field-Improved in 1990, the athletic fields are capable of hosting two consecutive soccer games, or a baseball game.
St. Anthony's Hall-This new building features six new classrooms, a Computer/Technology Center, a new Library, and new Science Lab. It was dedicated by Cardinal Rigali on Oct. 2, 2006.
[edit] Notable teachers
Valentin Radu, musician
Bruce Marcoon, Author
[edit] Notable Piarist Alumni
Over the years, the Piarist Order has educated saints, a pope, cardinals, bishops, founders and superiors of religious orders, kings, presidents, generals, painters, composers, writers and scientists. Some of the more famous graduates of Piarist schools (NOT naccesarily from the Devon school) include:
• St. John Neumann - fourth Bishop of Philadelphia
• St. Gaspar Bufalo
• St. Vincent Pallotti
• St. Vincent Strumbi
• Blessed Jose M. Escrivá - founder of "Opus Dei"
• Pope Pius IX (declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II in July 1985)
• Laszlo Cardinal Lekai - Cardinal Primate of Hungary
• Ferdinand VII - King of Spain
• Victor Hugo - French poet and novelist
• Thaddeus Kosciusko - Polish general and a hero of the American Revolution
• Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. - Superior General of the Jesuits
• Francisco de Goya - Spanish painter.
• Franz Joseph Haydn -composer
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - composer
• Franz Schubert - composer
• Anton Bruckner - composer
• Rev. Gregor Mendel, O.S.A. - father of modern genetics
• George de Hevesy - Nobel Prize winner (Chemistry)
• Santiago Ramon y Cajal - Nobel Prize winner (Medicine)
• Jim Lefebvre - professional baseball player and manager
• Carlos Prio Socarras - President of Cuba
• Franz Werfel - German author (Song of Bernadette)
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