St. Augustine High School (San Diego, California)

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St. Augustine High School
Location
San Diego, California, USA
Information
President Edwin J. Hearn
Principal Mr. James Horne
Students 700 Boys
Faculty 65
Type Augustinian, Private, Catholic, Single-Sex
Grades 9-12
Athletics 13 sports
Motto "Unitas, Veritas, Caritas"
Mascot Halo Joe
Established 1922
Campus 7.2 acres
Homepage www.sahs.org

St. Augustine High School is a private Catholic high school for young men under the direction of the Order of St. Augustine located in the North Park district of San Diego, California founded in 1922. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego.

Named after Saint Augustine of Hippo, an early Christian theologian, St. Augustine teaches young men within the framework of the Catholic faith and in the Augustinian tradition. This culturally diverse school serves the communities of San Diego County and Tijuana, Mexico. The school also publicly states, "We open our doors to all boys we believe will benefit from our academic program."

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early history - 1920s to the 1950s

[edit] Creation

In 1922, John Cantwell, Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles and San Diego, asked the Augustinians to come to San Diego to satisfy the need of a new boy's school in the southern part of the 80,000 square mile diocese. (The Augustinians also operate Villanova University in Pennsylvania, and in the early decades many of the school's religious staff were trained there.) The Augustinians opened St. Augustine High School in the St. Vincent's parish meeting hall on September 18, 1922 with 19 students. The school moved to its current Nutmeg Street location in the year 1923.

[edit] Student affairs and expansion

Due to a need to accommodate a greater number of students, the school expanded multiple times in its early history, beginning with the construction of Sullivan Hall in 1947, adding 350 additional spots for additional students. In the 1950s the school constructed a new set of classrooms, erected a gymnasium, and added additional improvements to the monastery. However, despite these expansions, by 1959 the school suffered increased overcrowding problems.[citation needed]

In 1956, the school became the first private school admitted to the San Diego City League of Athletics.

[edit] Middle period - 1960s to the 1970s

During the 1960s and 1970s, the school committed to smaller class sizes, new curricular innovations, and honor programs. In September, 1978, PSA Flight 182 crashed and exploded several blocks (Nile and Dwight Streets) from the campus. The school shut down and became a triage and command and control center for those authorities who responded to the emergency posed by the crash, culminating in the utilization of the gymnasium as a makeshift morgue. The following year an arsonist burned down the school's library, which has since moved to Villanova Hall.

[edit] Into the modern era - 1980s to the present day

In the 1980s and 1990s, the school moved towards computerization and renovations occurred around the campus. The biggest change during this era was the creation of an on-campus parking lot and the closure of Bancroft Street, which previously divided the campus into two separate sections. In 1997, the school celebrated its 75th anniversary. The school continues to grow in the new millennium, and is embarking on an extensive building campaign which calls for most of the school being demolished and rebuilt to meet modern standards of building codes and architectural tastes. The school will also feature the latest in technology made readily available to its students and faculty.

On June 2, 2006, together with the San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders, the Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego Salvatore Cordoleone, the school's President John Keller O.S.A., ASB President Alexander Guittard, and various members of the Augustinian and general school community, the school broke ground for the first phase of the school's building campaign. Work commenced in the summer of 2006 and was completed in the fall 2007 for Phase One. The second and third phases have been planned for the near future, with final completion of the project projected to fall within the early 2010s.


[edit] Tuition

Tuition at St. Augustine for the 2007-08 year is $10,750.[citation needed] However students can apply for tuition assistance, whether in the form of a grant or scholarship or by working for the school (at the Lunch Counter, Bookstore, Maintenance Office, or Library).Students may also receive up to half tuition all four years by scoring extremely high on the High School Entrance Exam.

[edit] Student profiles

[edit] Demographics

The student body consists of young men of many different national origins.

Most students live near and within typical driving distance of the school. The bulk of students live in San Diego and surrounding areas including La Mesa, Kearny Mesa, Point Loma, Downtown, and Beach areas. However, some students have longer commutes from areas in the North (such as La Jolla, Del Mar, Valley Center, and Oceanside), the East (Poway, Escondido, and Lakeside), and the South (such as Chula Vista, Eastlake and Bonita) A select number students commute daily from Tijuana.

Most students appear to be Roman Catholic; however, the school accommodates people of other faiths, including non-Christian ones.

[edit] Academics

[edit] Curriculum

Saints offers courses in the following subjects:

  • Religion
    • Faith Survey
    • Ethics I/II
    • Old Testament
    • New Testament
    • Comparative Religions
    • Religion in America
    • Philosophy*
    • Social Issues
  • Social Sciences
    • Psychology*
    • Western Civilization*
    • Economics*
    • United States History*
    • Civics and American Government*
    • Speech
    • Leadership
  • Foreign Language
    • Spanish*
    • Latin*
    • French*
  • English*
  • Mathematics
    • Pre-Algebra
    • Algebra I
    • Geometry
    • Algebra II
    • Statistics/Financial Math
    • Advanced Math
    • Statistics*
    • Pre-Calculus*
    • Calculus*
  • Sciences
    • Sports Medicine
    • Physics*
    • Biology*
    • Anatomy and Physiology*
    • Chemistry *
  • Arts:
    • Musical Instruments and Band
    • Guitar Performance and Theory
    • Painting, Drawing, and Mixed Media
    • Ceramics
    • Art History*
    • Theater Arts

(* denotes that an advanced placement or honors equivalent version of the course is offered)

[edit] Scheduling

On the average weekday, there are six blocks with each block running 50 minutes. The school day lasts from 7:45am-1:55pm.

On Wednesdays, the blocks are shorter in length—running 40 minutes—due to the celebration of Mass. Blocks are also only 40 minutes on Fridays because the school day is shorter. On Fridays, the school day lasts from 7:45am-12:35pm

[edit] Religious life

[edit] Daily role

Because the school is Catholic, religion plays a vital role in the daily life of a Saintsman. Students are required to take four years of religion. Almost all classes and assemblies begin with a prayer. Mass is said on a weekly basis, along with weekly confession and prayer hours. In addition, the school recently revived the traditional Catholic midday "Angelus" prayer, which the entire student body participates in immediately after lunch.

[edit] Retreats

Students experience several (including three mandatory) retreats at Saint Augustine. These retreats are:

  • Freshman Overnight Retreat
    • This retreat takes place over the first weekend in October, during which the entire Freshmen class are split into several groups where they discuss and learn about the Saints community and their place in it. The groups are led by a pair of either Junior and Senior "Big Brothers," one of whom opens their home for the evening prayer service for their group, before returning to Saints. The Freshmen spend the night in the gym and are dismissed on Sunday afternoon after mass and final activities.
  • Sophomore Retreat
    • This one-day retreat in Mission Bay continues the theme of helping the community, both in global and local capacities. In past years, the focus of this retreat has been on the plight of African children, followed along with a screening of Invisible Children, culminating with a talk given a refugee from an African nation.
  • Junior Retreat
    • This retreat is also a one-day event and focuses on building the relationship of the students in the class. Several activities build on the themes and the day finishes off with a mass.

The optional retreat for upperclassmen is the Kairos retreat.

[edit] Extracurricular activities

[edit] Athletics

[edit] Teams

The school supports numerous sports teams that are accredited by the CIF (SDS Division) such as:

In the past few years several club sports have been organized by the student body. These sports are either non-traditional sports or the sport club has not been credited by CIF. For example, the Roller Hockey team started as a club, and eventually the school applied for the CIF Roller Hockey division. Some of the club sports include:

[edit] Intramurals

The student body actively participates in Intramural sports. Teams are organized by homeroom and generally teams of one grade play the same grade and gradually move to play other grades. The final games of Intermurals are generally popular with the students and the school extends the lunch period to accommodate the finals. They are headed by the intramural coordinator, Mr Vasal. Alongside him, Deacon Dick Hardick ("Deke"), assists in organizing and coaching all intramural sports. He is noted for his favorite catch-phrase: "SAINTS INTRAMURALS ARE FANTASTIC!!!!" The current intermural sports include

[edit] Recent performance

The 2004-2005 sports season was a very successful year for the school, with the school's golf team winning the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) titles for the State of California; and the school's basketball team reaching the State CIF finals as well; eventually blowing a lead in the fourth quarter.

The 2005-2006 also proved to be an excellent year for Saints Athletics. Football coach Jerome Ralph led the football team; including UCLA bound quarterback, Chris Forcier and Nebraska bound receiver Menelik Holt to the first San Diego Section championship in thirty years. Furthermore, Brendan Johnston, led the Saintsmen to the CIF title in soccer. He has managed to pull off this feat three times in his short tenure as Head Soccer Coach.

The 2006-2007 season was a productive year for Saints Football as well. They were led to a second straight CIF title under the direction of Jerome Ralph and his awe inspiring weight-loss story. Saints defeated Point Loma High School in the finals for the second year in a row.

The 2007-2008 was disappointing for all of those fans who attended the football game in which Saints was defeated by rival Point Loma dashing all hopes of the "Three-peat." However, the Roller Hockey Team was able to capture the Mesa League championship in only their second year competing in CIF.

[edit] Visual and performing arts

In areas other than sports, the school supports numerous art disciplines including the dramatic, musical, and fine arts. Students artwork is prominently displayed throughout the campus. Student bands are popular and play at "8th Grade Visitation," some rally days, and at the Annual Saints/OLP Talent Show.

[edit] Theatre arts

The school is known for the successful theatrical productions put on by the students, and is recognized as a chapter of the International Thespian Society. Freshman generally audition for the female roles.

Recently, the school revived its annual musical with Oliver!. As of late, theatrical successes include such musicals as Fiddler on the Roof, Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, and The Music Man. Plays produced include Arsenic and Old Lace, Macbeth, "M*A*S*H" and Dracula. Saints also hosts the "Flying Ferrets," an improv team.

[edit] Music programs

The band program has also been improved with the last few years, and the band continues to perform and march in local parades such as the annual North Park Toyland Parade, KGB Skyshow, parades in Little Italy, and Bonita Fest. They have been a trditional presence in San Diego's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade (for several consecutive years in the early 90's, the St. Augustine marching band was the first band in order of march in this parade, often marching directly behind the parade's grand marshal). They perform at open houses for the school, fundraisers, sports events. In addition, a select few members of the band are part of the "32nd Street Jazz Band". The Saints Drumline is force to be reckoned with, they have won many competitions and are currently ranked amongst the best of the world.

[edit] Publications

The school is also active in journalism and the literary arts with two school-wide publications: The Augustinian and Santos. The Augustinian, published 5-6 times per year, is the school newspaper. Santos, published once yearly, features Saints students' artwork of all aspects

[edit] Club and Special Groups

Like any high school, Saints has a wide variety of student clubs and associations. St. Augustine H.S. has or has had such clubs as:

  • Art Club
  • Campus Ministry Team
  • The St. Augustine Tri Club
  • Robotics Club
  • Video Game Club
  • Students for Life Club
  • Japanese Animation "Anime" Club
  • Saints Futsal Club
  • The St. Augustine Tri Club
  • The Hooligans (Fans of Saints Soccer)
  • The Saints/OLP Flying Ferrets
  • The Fencing Club
  • Choir

[edit] School spirit

[edit] Mascot

The "Halo Joe" logo on left, and the mature "Saint" on right
The "Halo Joe" logo on left, and the mature "Saint" on right

The mascot is known as "Halo Joe", who has appeared in various forms over the years. They range from a comical looking angel with halo and bruised eye to a more warrior-type angel holding a shield and sword. The comical mascot is most commonly seen on school sweatshirts, while most other versions appear in printed materials or other school spirit merchandise. The mascot also is seen in costume form at sporting events where it is escorted by Saints cheerleaders to rally spirit.

[edit] School support

The school receives many donations from both organizations and private individuals. In addition, the school's Booster Club is an all-around fund raising organization that contributes to all aspects of campus needs. During the school year, the Boosters donate for scholarships, sports programs, arts programs, and capital improvement fund. The Booster Club prides itself in working with school administration to determine priorities in funding that benefit the entire school. The Booster Club raises money throughout the year, but its yearly "Big One" is a major event for the school and occasionally throughout the years finds itself on the Society Pages of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

[edit] Traditions

  • Mass on Wednesdays (Originally Friday)
  • Spirit Wear on Fridays (Originally Thursdays)
  • Senior Parking Lot (During the 2006-2007 School Year, it was demolished to allow for the construction of a new underground parking lot)
  • Freshmen Welcome Week
    • Freshmen must wear beanies during Freshman Welcome Week
    • Costume Day
    • Freshmen bringing Lunch for their Senior Partner
    • The singing of the Alma Mater
  • Turkey Trot
  • Block 1 Donations (Generally for the Hogar Infantil Orphanage during canned food drives)
  • Freshmen and Sophomores must sit in the gym's bleachers during mass and assemblies. Juniors and Seniors are allowed to sit on the gym floor in chairs.
  • Seniors are allowed Spirit-Dress Mondays, in addition to Fridays where the whole school is allowed Spirit Dress.
  • Seniors are allowed Off-Campus Lunch privileges, and can drive to local restaurants for lunch instead of remaining on campus.
  • Seniors have some late-start days.
  • All School Field Trips
    • Freshmen: USS Midway in San Diego Harbor
    • Sophomores: San Diego Zoo
    • Juniors: Balboa Park and Museums
    • Seniors: No Official Trip
  • Senior Trip to Grad Nite at Disneyland Park, part of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim
    • This is by invitation, and subject to the behavior of the previous class to visit. A well-known incident of hooliganism in the earl 1970s involved several students and the commandeering of rafts to Tom Sawyer Island (now known as "Pirates Lair at Tom Sawyer's Island"). However Disneyland Resort Officials later changed park operations and now keep this attraction closed on Grad Nights because of such activities and liability with it being surrounded by water and lack of proper lighting.

[edit] Alma Mater

The Saints Alma Mater closely resembles the Alma Mater of Villanova, an Augustinian university in Pennsylvania which also closely resembles the Alma Mater of Villanova Preparatory School, an Augustinian college preparatory school in Ventura Country, California:

When the twilight shadows gather
Out upon the campus green,
When the blue and purple night
Comes stealing on the scene,
Loyal sons of Saint Augustine
Sing a hymn of praise
To our dear old Alma Mater
And our High School days.

Saint Augustine, Saint Augustine
When we leave your sheltering walls
We will leave an echo ringing
Through your treasured halls.
We will leave an echo ringing
In the twilight cold,
While our memories are singing
"Purple and the Gold."

When the last big meet is over
And the last roll call is heard.
When the oldest pedagogue
Has had his final word
We shall come to Alma Mater
In our dream again
With a prayer to St. Augustine
And a strong Amen.

It is sung most commonly after many sporting events by both the crowd and participating team. However, it also recited at the end of Freshman Welcome Week, class and sports rallies, and Graduation. The first verse is most commonly the only verse recited. The second is used on occasion, while the third is used rarely if ever.

[edit] Rivalries

St. Augustine is one of four Catholic high schools in the San Diego area, leading to a natural state of heightened competition between the St. Augustine and the other Catholic schools in the region: the former University of San Diego High School, now known as Cathedral Catholic High School, and the former Marian Catholic High School, now known as Mater Dei Catholic High School. (The fourth, the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, is an all-girls school and has long been considered as a sister school to Saints).

The rivalry that is most prevalent is between Saints and University / Cathedral, which has spanned many years. This bitter rivalry can be likened to a high school version of a USC/UCLA, Michigan/Ohio St. or UNC/Duke type feud. Since the early 1970s, a yearly 'Charity Bowl' (now called the 'Holy Bowl'), first hosted at Jack Murphy Stadium (Qualcomm Stadium) by Bob Hope, occasionally at Balboa Stadium, and now at Southwestern College Stadium, has been the highlight of the rivalry. The two schools' football teams have in fact met in every season since the foundation of University High, except for 2007, when the game was cancelled as part of a county-wide cancellation of all high school sports during the October wildfires and, like all other cancelled football games, was not rescheduled.

Marian Catholic became a strong rivalry after its football team, behind running back Patrick Gates, defeated the Saints two consecutive years in the 2002, 2003 CIF Finals at Qualcomm Stadium.

[edit] College matriculation

Saints is also known for its consistently high graduation rate, as well as its high proportion of students who intend to advance to universities; in some years the entire graduating class has done so, with the exception of a few students choosing to enter the military.

Top students regularly matriculate to various prestigious institutions such as Stanford University, Yale University, The University of Southern California, Boston College, Cornell University, Harvard University, University of Notre Dame, Pepperdine University, Georgetown University, Gonzaga University, Marquette University and Villanova University among others. A small number of students have gone on to attendance at the various United States military academies.

A large number of students traditionally choose to attend the various colleges of the University of California system including University of California, Los Angeles, and University of California, San Diego, and the various California State University campuses; in 2007, over 50 students planned to attend San Diego State University.

Others attend local private colleges, such as the Catholic University of San Diego. Some students attend community colleges locally. Furthermore, some students attend schools abroad, especially in Mexico.[1]

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] See also

[edit] External links