Monsignor Donovan High School
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| Monsignor Donovan High School | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| 711 Hooper Avenue Toms River, NJ 08753 |
|
| Information | |
| School district | Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton |
| Principal | Dr. Gere |
| Enrollment |
988 (as of 2005-06)[1] |
| Faculty | 64.3 (on FTE basis)[1] |
| Student:teacher ratio | 15.4[1] |
| Type | Catholic high school |
| Grades | 9 - 12 |
| Athletics conference | Shore Conference |
| Mascot | Griffin |
| Nickname | MonDon |
| Color(s) | Blue and white |
| Established | 1950 |
| Information | 732-349-8801 |
| Homepage | School website |
Monsignor Donovan High School is the only Roman Catholic High School in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States, and operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton. Located in the coastal community of Toms River Township, the school originally opened in 1962 as St. Joseph High, but was renamed after its founder, Msgr. Lawrence Donovan in 1983.
As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 988 students and 64.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 15.4.[1]
The school mascot is the griffin. In the 1960s, the school (then St. Joseph high schools) sponsored a contest to name the mascot. Finalists were chosen by the faculty from the submissions, and then the students voted on the finalists. The griffin was the clear favorite.
Contents |
[edit] Block Scheduling and Flex
Prior to the 1998-1999 year, the school operated under a traditional eight-period system. The following year, a block scheduling system was implemented. The school then changed to a two-semester school year, similar to the traditional college format. Each semester, a student takes four classes.
Each class is either 75 or 80 minutes long, depending on whether the class takes place before or after lunch. The lunch period (referred to as "Flex time") is fifty minutes. At first, all students were served at once. The cafeteria became too crowded, so the school implemented a lunch schedule. Seniors have first lunch everyday, regardless. Juniors, sophomores, and freshmen lunch times are rotated throughout the week for first, second, and last lunch. Seniors have the opportunity of going out to lunch at local establishments, a few days a week.
[edit] Dress code
Students are required to wear uniforms. Girls may wear navy knee socks or tights, navy plaid pleated skirt or kilts, or khaki pants. They may also wear white dress shirts or blue golf shirts. Sweaters are optional. The boys wear khaki pants, with black dress shoes, dress shirts or blue golf shirts. Sweaters are optional.
[edit] Athletics
The Monsignor Donovan High School Griffins compete in the Shore Conference, an athletic conference made up of private and public high schools centered at the Northern Jersey Shore.[2] All schools in this conference are located within Monmouth County and Ocean County. The league operates under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).
The athletic teams compete in the following sports: football, soccer, baseball, hockey, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, softball, lacrosse, tennis, golf, wrestling, track and field,Volleyball sailing, bowling and cross country running .
The Monsignor Donovan Sailing Team has won the NJ State High School Sailing Championship in 2005, 2006 and 2007, they have also won the CT State High School Sailing Championship in 2005 and 2008. Over the past six years, the M.D.H.S. Sailing Team has qualified for the Inter-Scholastic Sailing National Championship four times. In the spring of 2007, the team traveled to Long Beach, California over Mothers Day weekend to race for the Mallory Trophy.
The Monsignor Donovan boy's bowling team succeeded in the winter of 2006-2007, finishing with a 34-11 record and taking home the titles of divisional champions, Shore Conference tournament champions and South Jersey Group II state sectional champions all in a single season.[3]
The Monsignor Donovan girl's swimming team won counties for the first time in school history during the 2007-08 season. This was the first time in 10 years that local rival Toms River North did not win counties, and it was also the first time in counties history that a public school did not capture the title. The girls finished there season with a record of 8-1, with one loss to Point Beach. They also qualified for team states.
[edit] Performing Arts
The drama department earned the honor of performing at the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2006. Monsignor Donovan was chosen from the state of New Jersey to take part in this event. The department was unable to participate due to a ruling of the Diocese of Trenton which banned air travel.[citation needed]
[edit] Statistics
For the 2006-07 academic year, the school's student population was 975, a 2.3% decrease from the 2005-06 academic year. The most recent Senior Class graduated on June 4, 2007. Tuition is $8,775 per year, plus fees. The graduating class of 2008 consists of 247 students and is the largest class in the school's history.
[edit] Administration
- Director: Rev. Msgr. Sean Flynn
- Principal: Dr. Edward Gere
- Vice Principal: Mrs. Kathleen D'Andrea
- Assistant Principal: Mrs. Eileen McCullion
[edit] Motto and Slogan
The school's motto is "Veritas" .[4]
[edit] Notable alumni
- John Cudia - Broadway Actor[citation needed]
- Scott Palguta '01 - Professional soccer player.[5]
- Mike Straka - Fox News journalist.[6]
