Regis Jesuit High School
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| Regis Jesuit High School | |
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| Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam | |
| Established | 1877 |
| School type | Private, co-institutional |
| Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic, Jesuit |
| President | Rev. Philip Steele, S.J. |
| Location | Aurora, CO, USA |
| Enrollment | Approx. 1450 total |
| Color(s) | Red & White |
| Mascot | The Raiders |
| Homepage | http://www.regisjesuit.com/ |
Regis Jesuit High School is a Jesuit Catholic college preparatory high school located in Aurora, Colorado. Founded in 1877, the high school shares much of its history with its counterpart Regis University in neighboring Denver.
Regis is the United States' only co-institutional Jesuit school (as opposed to a co-educational), meaning that the school is split into two gender divisions. The young women's division is one of two Jesuit all-female high schools in the world[1].
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[edit] Early History
The school was begun by Italian Jesuits in 1887 in Las Vegas, New Mexico[2]. Another school was opened in Morrison, Colorado seven years later. In 1888, the two schools were merged and renamed for St. John Francis Regis to become Regis College, located on 52nd and Lowell in Denver, Colorado.
In 1921, the school was formally split into Regis High School and Regis University. The high school and University co-existed on the campus in Denver and shared facilities until a separate building was built on campus for the high school in 1984.
In 1989, a parcel of land was donated near Parker and Arapahoe Roads in Aurora, now the Campbell Campus. A new building was erected and the school moved in for the 1990-1991 school year.
[edit] Girls' Division
Throughout the school's history, Regis had always been an all-male institution. However, a 1995 study sponsored by the Archdiocese of Denver found that the southeast Denver metro area did not have enough room in Catholic schools, especially for high school-aged girls, to fit the needs of the community[3]. Although initially parents suggested the school become co-ed, the final solution was to become "co-institutional"--two separate divisions administered by the same institution. A new school would be built for the males on the same Aurora campus, and the females would inhabit the old boys' school. Ground was broken for the new boys' division building in April of 2003.
For the Girls' Division's inaugural school year from 2003-2004, classes were held for approximately 170 ninth- and tenth-grade students at St. Catherine's Greek Orthodox Church, about seven miles from the boys' division at Campbell Campus. The girls did not move to Campbell Campus until the 2004-2005 school year when the new building was finally complete.
The first all-girls class from Regis Jesuit graduated in the spring of 2006 with 39 girls.
[edit] Co-Institutional Education
Regis Jesuit High School offers single-gender co-institutional education and is the only Jesuit school in the world to do so. This means that the school has separate divisions for male and female students. One president and several boards oversee and serve the needs of the entire institution, encompassing both divisions, but each division has its own principal, administrative team, faculty, and staff. The divisions have their own norms, dress codes, and daily schedules. Male students and female students never share classes or lunches and only see each other during the school day on extremely rare special occasions, such as all-school mass celebrations and the Cultural Heritage Festival.
Some extracurricular activities welcome members from both divisions, including sports teams, the Theatre program, Mock Trial, Model UN, and Speech and Debate.
Several social functions invite both divisions, such as dances. However, dances are currently sponsored by only one division at a time. For instance, the Homecoming dance is traditionally sponsored by the Boys' Division and only the Boys' Division celebrates Spirit Week prior to this dance. Members of the Girls' Division are invited to the dance but may not bring dates from other schools, whereas boys may bring dates from other schools. In December, the Girls Division hosts SnoBall and the rules are reversed--girls celebrate Sprit Weeks and boys are invited, but they may not bring dates from other schools, although the girls may.
The girls' division has incited some controversy among alumni from before its institution.
[edit] Chess Team
Over the years, the talented club has accumulated many victories, including a seventh place finish in the National Scholastic Blitz Tournament. They also placed twenty-first in the open division, and fifteenth in the Under-1500 division. This year, they have not gone to nationals yet, but they won state and the state scholastics championship. They have been in the top two at the Colorado State Chess Tournament for five years running, and have been in the top two of the Denver High School Chess Association for the last six years. Last year the team went to Russia to compete against some of their players, and this year they are having a match online. The Regis Chess team has been known to take annual trips and the year 2005 marked a journey to Moscow, Russia. Some members include(only first names used) Matt 1770,Chris 1630,David 1573, Corey 1481, Eric 1467, Ryan 1444, Zach 1334, Luke 1019, Stetson 1003, Julian 718.
[edit] Performing Arts Department
Regis' theater program maintains a very high standard of excellence and is well regarded among Denver area schools. The intimate "black-box" theater provides audiences with exceptional proximity to the actions on-stage. Regis presents a musical in the fall and a play in the spring. Under the direction of Ms. Dolores Boyle, the program gives all interested students an opportunity to be a part of a show. The Regis Jesuit Pit Band, started by beloved music teacher Ernie DeNapoli, continues today with students providing all the music for the fall musicals.
Recent productions:
- Fall 2003 - Godspell
- Spring 2004 - A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Fall 2004 - Annie
- Spring 2005 - Arsenic and Old Lace
- Fall 2005 - Little Shop of Horrors
- Spring 2006 - The Pink Panther Strikes Again
- Fall 2006 - Hello, Dolly!
- Spring 2007 - The Crucible
In addition to the two shows done each year, many other performances are produced. The Professional Performance Club showcases the dynamic singers, actors, and dancers from the Girls' Division each semester. From the Boys' Division, the recently begun Improv Comedy Club performs at various functions throughout the year including RaiderFest and the Jesuit's "Tonight Show." Annually, the high-level acting class will stage a drama. Also, the boys' senior class has traditionally presented the comical "Senior Follies," retelling their experiences of being at Regis for four years.
In 2006, Regis became a member of the International Thespian Society (ITS), an honor organization for high school theater sudents (similar to the National Honor Society for academic high-achievers). Students who are members of Troupe 6996 have begun attending the annual state thespian convention where students can watch other shows, attend workshops, and compete. In their first year of attendance, five of the seven Regis students who competed advanced to nationals.
Many Regis theater students work on their craft year-round. Regis' performers have worked with many professional troupes including the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and Country Dinner Playhouse, among others. One Regis theater student is currently performing with Opera Colorado. In past years, Regis' students have audition for and been accepted to programs at Northwestern University, Boston Conservatory, UCLA, the Denver Center Theater Academy and Perry-Mansfield.
[edit] Education
Regis Jesuit High School has a college-preparatory curriculum with a strong emphasis on the development of leadership, service, and religious faith. In past years more than 98% of our graduates have been accepted at colleges and universities throughout the country. It is possible for academically qualified students at Regis Jesuit to take college credit courses at the high school and earn up to 36 semester hours of college credit from Regis University or through the Advanced Placement Program (AP). There are more than 15 AP classes offered and honors sections exist in most departments. Incoming freshmen are eligible to place into advanced math courses, advanced foreign language, Honor English, and/or Honors Chemistry.
Regis Jesuit has a daily-alternating block schedule which differs slightly between the two divisions. All students must be enrolled in seven courses each semester. There are no study halls in a students' schedule, but there are Office Hours in the morning which can be used to work on homework, talk with teachers, or host meetings for clubs.
Additionally, all students participate in various retreat programs run by the Pastoral Department each year. Community service is also an important part of the Regis experience. There are differing levels of hourly service requirements depending on a student's grade level. Juniors and senior are require to take part in a two week/sixty-hour service project wherein they work in various community organizations such as poor elementry schools, nursing homes, and soup kitchens, among other locations.
[edit] Mission Statement
Regis Jesuit High School,
a Catholic educational community,
affirms the uniqueness and dignity of individuals,
inspires the pursuit of excellence,
fosters faith and a commitment to service and justice,
and strives to develop a connection to the world community.
[edit] Profile of the Graduate at Graduation
The hallmark of Jesuit education is cura personalis, the care and concern for the individual. This educational community provides a student-centered environment in which each individual can develop intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Regis Jesuit aims to form a community of individuals who demand more of themselves and who strive to achieve excellence in all their endeavors by being Open to Growth, Intellectually Competent, Religious, Loving, and Committed to Doing Justice.
- Open to Growth- Regis Jesuit graduates have the maturity to take responsibility for their own actions and growth. Graduates know that learning is a life-long process of intellectual, spiritual, and personal development. Graduates understand that having experiences outside of their worldview are important to their development.
- Intellectually Competent- Regis Jesuit graduates master those academic requirements necessary for advancing their formal education and skillfully using the fundamental tools of learning. Moreover, graduates realize the need to practice intellectual integrity.
- Religious- Regis Jesuit graduates, through study of the Roman Catholic faith, will come to know and experience God as one who understands and loves them completely and is there for them through their suffering and joy. Graduates have a deep understanding of and respect for their own religious traditions and those of others. They also have a strong foundation in personal prayer, spirituality, moral conscience, and religious conviction.
- Loving- Regis Jesuit graduates move beyond self-interest and self-centeredness. They are confident and seek deeper levels of relationships in which one can disclose feelings, accept the mystery of another person, and cherish that person.
- Committed to Doing Justice- Regis Jesuit graduates acquire the awareness, skills, and motivation necessary to live as Men and Women for Others who are leaders through service in imitation of Christ Jesus.
[edit] Interesting Facts and Traditions
- The Regis crest has been carefully imprinted on a rug in the center of Tradition Hall. It is protected with red velvet ropes, and is dutifully respected by the student body. No foot has tred on it for years.
- Regis' main rival is J.K. Mullen High School. This is the longest-running high school rivalry in Colorado. Other rivals include Kent Denver School and Cherry Creek High School.
- Regis students support their teams rain or shine. The cheer "We. are. proud of you! Say we are proud of you!" is given at the end of every game, win or lose.
- The 45-minute break ("Office Hours") in the morning is often called "cookie break," because most students flock to the cafeteria to buy a bag of warm cookies. Every positive superlative imaginable has been used to describe these Otis Spunkmeyer cookies.
[edit] Notable Alumni
- Paul Tauer, Class of 1952. Former Mayor of Aurora, Colorado
- Michael Gainer, Class of 2006. Leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Native American Religious Rights.
- Brian Mullan, Class of 1997. Midfielder of the MLS's Houston Dynamo
- Klint Kubiak, Class of 2005. Free safety at Colorado State University. Son of former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator and current Head Coach of the Houston Texans Gary Kubiak. Brother of Klay and Klein.
- Klay Kubiak, Class of 2007. Quarterback at Colorado State University. Son of former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator and current Head Coach of the Houston Texans Gary Kubiak. Brother of Klint and Klein.
- Butch Lewis, Class of 2006. Offensive lineman at the University of Southern California.
- Aaron Pitchkolan, Class of 2001. Versatile Midfielder of the MLS's FC Dallas.
- Mark Lisi, Class of 1997. Player for the MLS's New York Red Bulls.
- Alvin Logan, class of 2007 WR at Washington
