Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Jesuit High School
"Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam"
For the Greater Glory of God
Address
4701 North Himes Avenue
Tampa, Florida, (Hillsborough County), 33614
 United States
Information
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Established 1899
President Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J.
Dean Greg Schletter
Rector Fr. Douglas Hypolite, S.J.
Principal Barry Neuburger
Asst. Principal Janet Blackburn
Grades 912
Grade 9 197
Grade 10 193
Grade 11 171
Grade 12 151
Campus size 40 acres (160,000 m2)
Color(s) Blue and White         
Mascot Tiger
Team name Tigers
Rival Tampa Catholic High School
Accreditation(s) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools [1]
Yearbook 'The Tiger'
Tuition $12,000 per year (as of 2010-2011)
Affiliation Jesuit Secondary Education Association
Admissions Director Steve Matesich, '91
Athletic Director Terry Rupp, '84
Website

Jesuit High School of Tampa, established in 1899, is a private, Catholic, all-male high school located in Tampa, Florida, USA. It operates independently of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg. The school has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.[2]

Jesuit of Tampa teaches a college preparatory curriculum. Jesuit of Tampa has graduated federal judges, political leaders, priests, teachers, physicians, journalists, scientists, attorneys, professional athletes, writers, scholars, actors, painters, engineers and entrepreneurs. According to Nick Suszynski, alumni director as of 2006, Jesuit has graduated fourteen judges. The alumni association commonly refers to the high school as "Tampa's Largest Fraternity."

Another factor that makes Jesuit students visible in the community is its strict dress code. Students are expected to wear dress trousers, along with dress shirts and ties part of the year.

The motto of Tampa Jesuit is "Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam" which means "For the Greater Glory of God." The school encourages its students to be "Men For Others."

Contents

History

Jesuit High School was founded in 1899, then located in downtown Tampa and directly affiliated with Sacred Heart Parish (formerly a Jesuit-run parish) known as Tampa College.[3] The high school's 1899 original site is located at the corner of Florida Avenue and Madison Street in downtown Tampa.[4]

Jesuit High School had begun to outgrow its original location by the 1940s and 1950s due to increased enrollment.[4] Father Michael Kennelly, S.J., who served as the school's president and rector from 1953 until 1959,[5] spearheaded the $600,000 capital campaign, which allowed the school to purchase 80 acres of rural grazing land on Himes Avenue in West Tampa.[6] The campus was moved from downtown Tampa to its current location on North Himes Avenue in 1956. Father Kennelly obtained the necessary permits and designed the new campus, which he centered around St. Anthony's Chapel.[4]

Jesuit High School had an enrollment of 245 students at the time of its relocation in 1956.[6] The high school currently has 708 students, as of January 2011.[6]

Jesuit's president is Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J., and its principal is Mr. Barry Neuburger.

Curriculum

Jesuit's curriculum includes studies in theology, mathematics, sciences, fine arts, language arts, foreign language, physical education, and social studies. Of the 60 members of the faculty, there are six Jesuits (3 priests and 3 scholastics, junior religious preparing for the priesthood). The Jesuits on the staff serve in administration, teach in the classroom, and work jointly with several lay staff members in religious formation. The school celebrates daily Masses in the residence chapel and monthly all-school Masses in St. Anthony's Chapel. Each school year begins with the Mass of the Holy Spirit, a tradition that dates back to the early days of Jesuit education. All students are required to attend school Masses and take four years of Catholic theology. The school has a long tradition, however, of welcoming non-Catholics and non-Christians to its student body.

Athletics

The school won the FHSAA Boys' Athletic Program of the Year award in 1997-1998, and had the most state championships and places at state events, 1998–1999, 2000–2001, and 2005-2006.[7] In addition, the school won the Tampa Tribune Athletic Program of the Year award in 2003-2004, and the St. Petersburg Times Athletic Program of the Year award in 2004-2005. In the past 10 years, the soccer, baseball, cross country, and track teams have combined for a total of 11 state championships. Jesuit has had a tradition of talented coaches who have led their teams to post-season play and several championships. These victorious coaches include "Wild" Bill Minahan, Dominick Ciao, Paul Straub, John Crumbley, Mike Boza, "Big" John Szponar, and Bob Bauman. Jesuit's baseball stadium, Paul Straub Field at Hyer Family Park, was declared the best high school baseball field in the country by the National High School Baseball Coaches Association in 2011.

Clubs and extracurricular activities

When outside the classroom, students contribute several thousand hours of community service as part of their mandatory service. Students in the Key Club are regarded among the nation's best, having won many awards since its mid-1990s inception. Other clubs include SADD, National Honor Society, award-winning language honor societies, religious service group Agmen Christi, the Lyre literary art showcase, the school's drama troupe, the Jesuit Masque, and the Tiger yearbook and newspaper. There is also a Pep Club called Blue Tide that is also at most of Jesuit's sports events.

Facilities

To the north of the chapel are the cafeteria, fine arts building, and the Jesuit residence. Classroom buildings surround the remaining sides of the chapel. The new "Tiger Palace" has room to accommodate a total audience of 1,400. The southeast portion of the campus is the home of the renovated athletic center, which was dedicated to renowned alumnus and baseball legend Al Lopez and the library dedicated to Fr. Richard Hartnett, S.J.[3]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ SACS-CASI. "SACS-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement". http://www.advanc-ed.org/schools_districts/school_district_listings/?. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  2. ^ http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.pdf
  3. ^ a b JHS. "School History". http://www.jesuittampa.org/About-Jesuit/History.aspx. Retrieved 2007-05-11. 
  4. ^ a b c Meacham, Andrew (2011-01-12). "The Rev. Michael Kennelly, who helped shape Tampa's Jesuit High, dies at 96". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.tampabay.com/news/obituaries/the-rev-michael-kennelly-who-helped-shape-tampas-jesuit-high-dies-at-96/1144830. Retrieved 2011-01-17. 
  5. ^ "Past president of Loyola dies at age 96". Loyola University New Orleans. 2011-01-05. http://www.loyno.edu/news/story/2011/1/5/2363. Retrieved 2011-01-17. 
  6. ^ a b c Bearden, Michelle (2011-01-12). "Services set for Jesuit High's campus founder". Tampa Tribune. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2011/jan/12/MENEWSO4-services-set-for-jesuit-highs-campus-foun/life/. Retrieved 2011-01-17. 
  7. ^ JHS. "Awards and State Champions". http://www.jesuittampa.org/Athletics/team-awards/Awards-and-state-champions.aspx. Retrieved 2008-05-07. 

External links