Cheverus High School

Cheverus High School
'Crescamus in Illo per omina
May we grow in Him through all things
Address
267 Ocean Avenue
Portland, Maine, 04103
 United States
Information
Type Co-ed, prep school, Jesuit
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established 1917
President Rev. William R. Campbell, S.J.
Principal Mr. John H.R. Mullen
Faculty 45
Enrollment 545  (2008-2009)
Student to teacher ratio 12:1
Campus 25 acres (.1 square km)
Color(s) Purple and Gold         
Athletics 28 Interscholastic
Mascot Stag
Accreditation(s) New England Association of Schools and Colleges[1]
Average SAT scores Critical Reading: 541
Math: 543
Writing: 542
Website

Cheverus High School is a private, Jesuit, college-preparatory school in Portland, Maine. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. Cheverus High School was founded in 1917 as a Diocesan school and was named after French Roman Catholic Cardinal Jean-Louis Lefebvre de Cheverus. The Society of Jesus took over responsibility of the school in 1942.

Contents

Campus

The school is located on property overlooking Portland's Back Cove. It consists of two buildings: the Main building and Loyola Hall, (named after Saint Ignatius of Loyola). Most math and science classes are taught in the main building, while English, history, theology, and fine arts classes are taught in Loyola Hall. The sports facilities are in the Rev. John Keegan Gymnasium, which connects to the main building. The campus also includes Boulos Stadium and Shea Field.

History

Originally named The Catholic Institute High School, it was renamed Cheverus in 1926 after the first bishop of Boston, Jean-Louis Lefebvre de Cheverus. Cheverus was first located on Free Street, moved to Cumberland Avenue in 1946, and then moved to its current location on Ocean Avenue in 1952.

Cheverus was originally run by diocesan priests. In 1942, the Society of Jesus assumed responsibility of the school.

In 2000, the school became coeducational.

Sex abuse scandal

In 1998, nine male alumni claimed that they had been molested while attending Cheverus. Two former faculty members were accused. The school confirmed the abuse and apologized to the victims. The victims also accused both Cheverus High School and the Portland Diocese of hiding information, and that they had previously known about the abuse.

Settlements to victims have reached a cumulative seven figures, with ongoing counseling additional. Primarily, two long time Cheverus faculty members, one the former chair of the English Department, the other, the former head of the Track Team, have admitted they are guilty. Both teachers lost their jobs at Cheverus in 1998. [2]

Academics

Cheverus offers 12 AP classes, and has an honors option for most of its courses. Students must take 25.5 courses in 4 years, including at least 4 mathematics courses, 4 English courses, 4 Theology courses, 3 science courses, 3 foreign language courses (continuing within the same language), and 3 social studies courses [1].

In 2005, the schools' average Verbal SAT score was 575, and the average math score was 576[2].

Extra-curricular activities

Athletics

Cheverus offers many varsity sports, including soccer, lacrosse, sailing, cross country, football, field hockey, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, indoor track, track & field, softball, baseball, alpine and nordic skiing, and lacrosse. Cheverus has won 65 Class A State Championships in the following sports:

Boys Baseball (1): 2011

Boys Cross Country (18): 1971, 1972, 1974, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2009

Girls Cross Country (1): 2009, 2010, 2011

Boys Basketball(9): 1930, 1940, 1948, 1961, 1981, 1982, 1997, 2008, 2010

Football (3): 1985, 2010, 2011

Boys Golf (1): 2005

Boys Ice Hockey (2): 2005, 2006

Boys Soccer (1): 2001

Boys Swimming (1): 1979

Boys Tennis (4): 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

Boys Indoor Track (17): 1977*, 1978*, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998

Boys Outdoor Track (10): 1979*, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1994, 1997, 1998

Girls Ice Hockey (1): 2010

Sailing (2): 2007, 2010

Spirituality

Cheverus’ Campus Ministry provides opportunities for students to experience Jesuit tradition and develop their own personal faith through prayer, reflection and services. Campus Ministry programs include liturgies and services, retreats, and involvement with Habitat For Humanity. Cheverus High School gathers for worship at significant times during the year. During a regular week, an optional daily Mass is held for students, faculty, staff, parents, and friends in the Loyola Chapel on every morning at 7:15 a.m. In addition to its Theology courses, Cheverus has a retreat program tailor-made to meet the spiritual needs of its students. [3] Prominent among these retreats is Kairos (retreat), open to juniors and seniors (with priority given to seniors). The retreat was begun after three students made the retreat with Boston College High School and returned to lead Cheverus' Kairos V at Cheverus in the fall of 2006.

Dress code

Both male and female students are required to wear a suit coat, a button-down uniform shirt, and dress shoes. Male students must also wear a tie and dress pants, while females may wear either skirts or dress pants. [3]

Notable alumni

School Administration

References

External links