Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School

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Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School
Motto "Ad Mundum Meliorem"
"Toward a Better World"
Established August 1960
Type Private
Religious affiliation Roman Catholic
President Rev. Fr. John F. Thompson
Principal Mrs. M. Gloria Ramos
Asst. Principal Rev. Bro. George E. Endres
Dean Mr. Marcelo Rodriguez
Students 875 (as of 2005-06)
high school 9-12
Location 500 East Chaminade Drive,
Hollywood, FL, USA
District Broward County Public Schools
Accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Colors Scarlet White and Blue
Mascot Lions
Campus surroundings Suburban
School hours 8:00 AM to 2:45 PM
Average class size 21
National ranking 2-A Football
Website www.chaminade-madonna.org

Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School (C-M) is a private, Roman Catholic, school located within Hollywood, Florida on Chaminade Drive, in front of Nativity Catholic School in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami. Covering high school and college preparatory curricula, it runs from 9th grade to 12th grade. The school has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1973 and is also a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

Contents

[edit] History

Mission Statement: Chaminade-Madonna, Catholic and Marianist in its identity, educates the heart and soul as well as the mind and body. It is a family-like community in which individuals of one background shape and share their faith, achieve excellence, and become caring participants and leaders in the service of community, church and those in need.

[edit] 1960 - 1988

In response to the growing population and the need for quality schools, the Archdiocese of Miami invited the Marianists and the School Sisters of Notre Dame to establish a school for boys, Chaminade High School. They also requested a school for girls, Madonna Academy. Under the direction of Br. Joseph Spehar, S.M., and Sister Eugene Marie, SSND, Chaminade High School and Madonna Academy opened their doors to the South Broward and North Miami-Dade communities in 1960.[citation needed]

In 1963, Br. Donald Gaskill, S.M. was appointed principal of Chaminade High School to continue to establish the Marianist traditions of education as well as reach out to the local communities. He would remain until 1969, with the appointment of Br. Michael Galvin, S.M.. He was primarily responsible for obtaining accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Chaminade High School was accredited for the first time in 1973. In 1973, Fr. Richard Knuge, S.M. was appointed principal. Under his administration, construction of a school chapel and library was begun. The school’s fifth principal, Br. Donald Winfree, S.M., supervised the construction of the Strickroth Classroom building, named in honor of Br. John Strickroth, S.M.[citation needed]

In 1982, Fr. Chris Colon, S.M., was appointed principal. This same year, Br. John Campbell, S.M. was appointed the school’s first President. Within this position, his primary responsibility was the financial and spiritual well being of the school. In 1986, Br. Raymond Purcell, S.M., succeeded Fr. Colon as the leader of the school. Facing declining enrollment and financial difficulties, in 1988, the Archdiocese of Miami, the Superior General of the Marianists and the School Sisters of Notre Dame agreed to merge Chaminade High School and Madonna Academy.

[edit] 1988 - Present

In August 1988, Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory was established as a coed high school. Long time Chaminade High School teacher, counselor, and administrator, Robert Minnaugh was named Principal and charged with forming a new vision. Fr. Dan Doyle, S.M., was named the first president of the new school. Fr. Richard Knuge, S.M. succeeded Fr. Doyle in 1992. In that year, Chaminade-Madonna was honored by the Department of Education with the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award. Four years later, Br. John Campbell, S.M. was appointed president. During Br. Campbell’s tenure as president, he worked diligently with Mr. Minnaugh to complete construction of the Einstein Building and the renovation of Marianist Hall (which contains the department chair offices).

In 1998, Robert Minnaugh announced his retirement. Long time Assistant Principal Mrs. Ann McGrath was named the interim principal through the 1997/1998 school year. Under some criticism, Mr. Patrick Snay was appointed Principal in the Summer of 1999. Known for having some of the best non-sport related extracurricular activity programs within Broward County, including an award winning Key Club program, debate team and an award-winning professional theatre company, under Principal Snay's leadership, the school's focus turned to the development of an award winning sports program. This included the construction of a several million dollar sports complex, increased scholarship availability and other improvements that led the achievement of an award winning program. In addition, a program was established to help students suffering from mild learning disabilities.

In 2002, Fr. John Thompson, S.M., was appointed President of the school. His initial focus turned to bringing to fruition the construction of the multi million dollar athletic fields. The newly renovated athletic complex was completed in December 2004. He is currently leading the school through its first Capital Campaign to be highlighted by the construction of a new Fine Arts Center, a project that had initially been proposed in 1998.[citation needed]

In July 2003, Ms. Gloria Ramos was appointed as the new Principal of the school.

In May 15, 2007; legendary Coach Mark Guandolo resigned as the athletic director and head football coach and took the head coaching job at nearby Cypress Bay High School. Guandolo had unprecedented success as the football coach with a record of 81-13 and several state championships over 7 years.

Less than a week later, Al Lang, former head coach at Hollywood Hills High School, was hired as the new football coach at Chaminade. Unfortunately, the first season under Lang was a disappointment. The team struggled to a 5-5 record and an embarrassing loss in the first round of the state playoffs. On November 29th, 2007 Lang was fired and a search for a new head football coach was begun.

[edit] About

The school currently offers remedial classes in numerous subjects, including both honors and AP courses to qualifying students. A unique "Spring Session" program takes place each February, allowing students to engage in numerous on and off campus activities. Such events may range from painting, to bioethics, to trips abroad. The Chaminade-Madonna Theatre Company currently produces two productions each year, down from the four produced in years past. The Chaminade-Madonna Athletics Department offers a Weight Training "Perfect Competition" program for their Football players under tutelage of Head Coach Mark Guandolo.[citation needed] Coach Guandolo resigned and left the school on May 15, 2007.

[edit] School Information

  • Enrollment (2006- 2007 school year)

875 boys and girls grades 9-12.[citation needed]

  • School Colors

Scarlet, White, and Blue

  • School Mascot

The Lion - teams carry two names, the Lions and the Lady Lions.

  • School Motto

Ad Mundum Meliorem - Toward a Better World

  • School Achievements

[edit] Facts & Achievements

[edit] Notable Alumni

Entertainment

Athletics


Business and Politics

  • Richard Green, Esq. '99- Co-Founder- Essay 101, Inc.
  • Christopher Bledsoe '99 -Co-Founder- Essay 101, Inc.
  • Phil Marro '03- Co-Founder- International Integrity Holdings, LLC. Youngest American on Forbes 400 List

Music

Broadcasting and Journalism

A large percentage of graduates from Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory serve in the armed forces of the United States(Including: Marines, Army, Navy, and other branches of Militia.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links