St. Vincent - St. Mary High School

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St. Vincent - St. Mary High School is a private, coed, college preparatory,Catholic high school located in Akron, Ohio. The school is commonly abbreviated SVSM, ASVSM, St. V-M, or STVM. However, the school's official abbreviation is STVM.

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[edit] Mission Statement

“In the spirit of the Gospel, we are committed to educate the whole person to lead and to serve: enlightening the mind, developing the body, touching the heart, inspiring the soul.”

[edit] Academics Overview

The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, including three tracks (basic, college preparatory, and Honors/AP) for all core academic courses. The school offers nine Advanced Placement courses and strong fine arts programs in music, drama/theatre, and visual art, with a dance program in the planning stages. The school's foreign language offerings include four years of Spanish, French, and Russian. In addition, the school offers a variety of elective courses from which to choose, allowing students much control in determining their course of study above and beyond the school’s graduation requirements.

[edit] Administration

The current headmaster is Mr. David Rathz, who is responsible for all academic aspects of the school. Mr. Tim Castrigano serves as the CFO and development director, responsible for all the school's financial aspects. Mr. Dan Nichols is the current dean of students, and Ms. Carol Gill (M67) is the Academic Advisor.

[edit] History

St. Mary High School opened in 1897 and graduated the first class in 1901.

St. Vincent High School opened in 1907.

Both schools were founded by Rev. Dr. Thomas F. Mahar.

The two schools merged in 1972.

As of 2006, STVM has graduated 5,698 student since the merger, and over 16,000 since 1901.

[edit] Detailed Academic Information

[edit] Religious Education

As the most important part of the St. Vincent-St. Mary curriculum, students are required to take four years of religious education, and therefore have religious instruction every day of the four years that they are enrolled at STVM. Freshmen take Religious Education I, a survey of Catholic doctrine and christian morality. Sophomores take Religious Education II, which combines a semester study of Hebrew Scriptures and a semester study of Christian Scriptures. Juniors take a semester course entitled Social Morality and then choose a second semester from one of three electives: Peer Ministry: Gift and Challenge; Prayer, Sacraments, and Spirituality; and Theology of Church. Seniors are required to take a semester course called Christian Lifestyles, and then choose from one of three electives: Advanced Social Morality, Medical-Moral Issues, and World Religions. At the end of their senior year, upon completion of their “Christian Service Requirement” of 25 hours of service each year, students receive a 1/4 religion credit in Christian Service.

[edit] English

All students are required to take four years of English. At the freshman level, students may choose from Honors English I (World Literature), CP English I (Survey of Literature), and English I (Survey of Literature). At the sophomore level, students take either Honors English II (British Literature), CP English II (American Literature), or English II (American Literature). Juniors fulfill their requirement by choosing between American Studies, a fully-integrated, interdisciplinary AP course combining AP U.S. History and AP English Language and Composition; CP English III (British Literature), and English III (British Literature). Seniors are given a fourth course from which to choose: AP English Literature & Composition, Honors English IV (Renaissance Seminar), CP English IV (World Literature), and English IV (World Literature). The English Department also offers elective course in Journalism (Levels I, II, III, and IV), Yearbook (Levels I, II, and III), Reading, and Creative Writing, as well as Irish Literature, a course specially designed to be rich with the Irish culture, commemorating with the school’s cultural heritage. Students are also required to complete a speech course entitled Speech and Presentation during their sophomore year.

[edit] Science

The science program at STVM also requires students to earn four credits. Each year, students are required to complete a hands-on "Science Inquiry Project," and have the opportunity to compete at the state and local "Science Fair" competitions. Freshmen take an integrated science course entitled “Physical, Earth, Space Science” at either the honors, CP, or basic level. Sophomores choose from honors, CP, or basic biology. Juniors and seniors have more flexibility in their science curriculum, and can choose from the following courses:

  • Earth Science
  • CP Earth Science
  • CP Chemistry
  • Honors Chemistry
  • AP Chemistry
  • Concepts of Physics
  • CP Physics
  • Honors Physics
  • AP Physics
  • AP Biology

[edit] Mathematics

The mathematics program at STVM is equally rigorous. Students are required to complete three years of mathematics, but because of the wide variety of offerings, allowing every student to find a mathematics level where he or she is challenged, yet comfortable, many students graduate with four full credits (or more) in mathematics. Freshman choose from Honors Geometry, CP Algebra I, and Algebra I. Sophomores take either Honors Algebra II, CP Geometry, or Geometry. The junior and senior level courses are once again more flexible in nature. Juniors typically take either Honors Math Analysis, CP Algebra II or Algebra II; they also have the option of taking Trigonometry and/or Probability and Statistics. Seniors, depending on their location in the course sequence, can choose from any of those courses, and can also take AP Calculus AB or College Math Preview.

[edit] Social Studies

STVM students take a minimum of three credits of social studies courses, but once again with the wide variety of elective courses offered, many students graduate with more credits in this department. Freshmen take a course in world history, at either the honors, CP, or basic level. Sophomores take either Honors American Studies (a semester course preparing them for the junior-year American Studies course), CP American History, or American History. Juniors in the honors track then take the American Studies course, a fully-integrated, interdisciplinary AP course combining AP U.S. History and AP English Language and Composition. Seniors choose from AP U.S. Government & Politics, CP American Government, and American Government. Students fulfill their social studies credit requirement by then choosing one or more of the following electives:

  • World Geography (Grades 10-12)
  • Current & Future Issues (Grades 10-12)
  • Justice for All (Grades 10-12)
  • 20th Century (Grades 10-12)
  • Western Thought & Culture I (Grades 11-12)
  • Western Thought & Culture II (Grades 11-12)
  • Economics (Grades 11-12)
  • AP European History (Grade 12)

[edit] Health

The Health department at STVM is designed to meet all of the requirements and standards of the State of Ohio, while at the same time giving students choice over their health education. Students are required to take Physical Education I and II sometime during their high school career, and many students opt to take these courses through the Summer Physical Education program, a three-week summer course focusing on lifetime activity, physical fitness, and recreational activities. All freshmen take Health, a semester course mandated by the State of Ohio. Seniors are also given the option of taking an innovative and high-demand course entitled Family Studies, which culminates with a simulated parenting experience project called “Baby Think it Over.”

[edit] Athletics

STVM has a rich history of competitive and championship caliber athletic teams.

[edit] Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championships

* 1929 Basketball title won by St. Mary High School prior to merger with St. Vincent.
** 1927 Golf title won by St. Vincent High School prior to merger with St. Mary.

[edit] Ohio High School Athletic Association State Runner-Up

[edit] Notable Alumni

  • LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers player
  • Matt Buzek, 2-time cross country state champion
  • Anthony Mion, 1-time cross country state champion

[edit] External links

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