Catholic High School for Boys (Little Rock)
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Catholic High School for Boys is a private Catholic high school located in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. It is an all-male institution, and has an all-female sister school, Mount St. Mary Academy.
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[edit] History
Catholic High was founded in 1930, although its history can be traced back to 1908. At that time Bishop John B. Morris purchased land that originally belonged to the Arkansas Military Academy, rechristening it Little Rock College in September 1908. The school closed in 1917 during World War I, and the buildings were used alternately as an orphanage, by the U.S. Army, and as a seminary. The seminary moved in 1920 and the high school department, Morris Prep, existed until 1930. In 1930 the seminary reasimmilated the buildings purchased by Bishop Morris, and Morris Prep became Catholic High School.
In 1959 construction began for a new $1.25 million school building on a 26 acre (105,000 m²) tract of land located west of downtown Little Rock on what was then Lee Avenue. Catholic High still resides in this building, although expansions have been built and the name of the street has changed.
The most influential figure in the history of Catholic High is undoubtedly Father George Tribou, the principal who oversaw the school for forty-one years until his death in February 2001. He is seen as responsible for building Catholic High's reputation as one of the premier high schools in the state of Arkansas.
[edit] March on War Memorial
In 1996 the owners of War Memorial Stadium, the auxiliary site for Arkansas Razorbacks home football games and traditional site of Catholic High home football games, increased the cost of rent by 110% and dropped two of the Catholic High home games. In response, Fr. Tribou led the student body and others in a march to the nearby stadium. The peaceful protest led to the abandonment of the rent increase and game changes, and Catholic High continues to call War Memorial its home field.
[edit] MCJROTC Unit
Catholic High is home to a Marine Corps JROTC unit steeped in tradition. It was founded in 1967 as one of the nation's first Junior ROTC programs, at a time when military organizations were often spurned. It flourished immediately and cadets earned the nickname "Sid's Kids," after the man responsible for the program's founding, retired Major General, former Arkansas Governor, and unit Senior Military Instructor Sid McMath. Shortly after their successful start, students were treated to a visit by Bob Hope in 1969. Since then the battalion-sized unit has continued to participate in drill competitions and color guards, including color guards held for visiting politicians such as Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
[edit] Facts
- Four year college preparatory
- Location: 6300 Father Tribou St., Little Rock, AR 72205
- Enrollment: 600
- Faculty: 35
- Principal: Steve Straessle
- Pastor: Msgr. Lawrence "Father Fred" Frederick
- Guidance Counselor: Br. Richard Sanker
- Calendar: Four nine-week quarters, two eighteen-week semesters
- Denomination: Catholic
- Organization: Diocesan
- Mascot: Rockets
- Colors: purple and gold
- Home football stadium: War Memorial Stadium
- Highest Courses Offered: British Literature, Themes in Literature, Physics, Anatomy and Physiology, American Government and Politics, Trigonometry/Calculus, Latin II, French II, Spanish III
- Extra-curricular Activities: JV and Varsity Baseball; Freshman, JV, and Varsity Basketball; Freshman and Varsity Cross Country; Freshman, JV, and Varsity Football; JV and Varsity Golf; JV and Varsity Soccer; JV and Varsity Swimming; Varsity Tennis; Jazz Band; Concert Band; Varsity Cheerleading; Skit Cheerleading; Art Club; Beta Club; Electronics Club; Amateur Radio Club; Capstone (Literary Magazine); Chess Club; Math Club; Political Awareness Club; R.E.A.C.H. (Youth Interact Program); Marine Corps JROTC; Model U.N.; Rocket Times (Student Newspaper); Physical Fitness Team; The Rocket (Yearbook); Fed Challenge; Philosophy Club; Theology Club; Drama Club; Varsity Bowling
- Schools attended by graduates: University of Arkansas, University of Central Arkansas, The University of Pennsylvania, Hendrix College, University of Dallas, Washington University in St. Louis, Duke University, University of Chicago, Georgetown University, University of Notre Dame, Princeton University, Saint Louis University, Stanford University, Syracuse University, Yale University, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, United States Military Academy, University of Iowa, Vanderbilt University, Louisiana State University, and many others.
- Dress code:
Winter: khaki slacks, button down shirt and tie, trimmed hair (hair cannot touch one's shirt collar or ears).
Spring/Late Summer and Early Fall: Khaki shorts, polo shirts without logos (collegiate and Catholic High logos allowed).
Sideburns, as well as any facial hair, are not allowed.
[edit] See also
- Father George Tribou, long-time principal of Catholic High
- Major General and Governor Sid McMath, founder of Sid's Kids, the Catholic High Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
