Saint Benedict's Preparatory School

Saint Benedict's Preparatory School
Gratia Benedictus Nomine
Blessed in grace and name
Address
520 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Newark, NJ (Essex County), 07102
Information
Type Private, All-Male, Boarding school
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established 1868
Headmaster Rev. Edwin Leahy O.S.B
Faculty 39.9 (on FTE basis)[1]
Grades 7–12
Enrollment 554[1]  (2009-10)
Student to teacher ratio 13.9[1]
Campus Urban
Campus size 12 acres (49,000 m2)
Color(s) Garnet and Gray         
Slogan Whatever hurts my brother, hurts me.
Athletics 12 sports
Mascot Gray Bee
Team name Gray Bees
Accreditation(s) Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools[2]
Publication Kayrix (literary magazine)
Newspaper 'The Benedict News'
Yearbook 'Telolog'
Assistant Headmaster Ivan Lamourt
Dean Of Faculty Michelle Tuorto
Admissions Director Doris Lamourt
Athletic Director Josh Thompson
Website http://www.sbp.org

Saint Benedict's Preparatory School is a college preparatory school in Newark, New Jersey, United States. It is an all-boys, secondary school located on a 12 acres (4.9 ha) urban campus serving students in the seventh through twelfth grades. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Secondary Schools since 1990.[2]

Established in 1868 by the Benedictine monks of Newark Abbey, the school is guided by the sixth century Rule of St Benedict it has been a part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark for over 130 years.[3] It serves students from Newark and its neighboring communities; students come from 100 towns and about 215 schools. More than 60 are from 23 other countries.[4]

As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 554 students and 39.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.9.[1]

Contents

History

The school was closed for the 1972-73 school year. Since its re-opening in 1973 the headmaster has been Fr. Edwin D. Leahy, O.S.B, who graduated from St. Benedict's in 1963.[5]

Academic year and leadership

St. Benedict's school year differs from most high schools. The school year is divided into three "phases"; Summer phase, Fall/Winter Phase and Spring Phase. During Summer phase the whole student body of St. Benedict's gathers for a five-week session of half-day classes during August. For the members of the Freshman Class, the session begins with the five-day Overnight. The Freshman Class is divided into 18 groups of about eight students each, with an older student acting as counselor for the week. Meals are taken "family style" in the dining room as each student takes a turn being the waiter for his color, setting the table, serving the food, and clearing up afterward. Freshmen meet faculty members and older students, discover Benedict's history and traditions and learn the school songs.

During the fall/winter phase students have regular school days with a daily convocation at the Gym at 9:15. During convocation, prayers are said and songs are sung with the whole community present.

Spring phase ends the academic year. Students choose projects to work on for four weeks such as community service, US history, karate, and cooking.

Freshmen don't have a choice. At the end of the Freshmen Year, Freshmen spend a week together. They sleep in tents. Freshman team members take turns cooking for one another, preparing food they have carried on their backs. The Backpacking Project is a five-day trek over 50 miles (80 km) of the Appalachian Trail in the mountains of western New Jersey. Freshmen form themselves into 16 teams of eight members each and elect a leader. Four such teams make a "company" that is led by specially trained older students, first-aiders, and adults. Three weeks of intense training precede the week on the trail.[6]

St. Benedict's is divided into 18 groups of about 20 to 30 members each. Each group, named after successful Benedict's alumnus meets daily, competes in events, and plays an active role in running the school. Each group elects a student Group Leader and Assistant Leaders and works closely with its faculty advisers. The school is run by a Senior Group leader, four section leaders and a beginner leader. They work together in leading the school and enforcing rules.[6]

Athletics

The prep school sponsors twelve sports: Water Polo, Cross Country, Soccer, Swimming, Fencing, Wrestling, Basketball, Indoor Track, Tennis, Golf, Baseball, Outdoor Track. The school has produced several notable athletes including Olympic gold medalists.

Soccer

The 2006 boy's soccer team finished the season with a 20-0 record, and was ranked first in the nation in the NSCAA/adidas National Rankings.[7]

A 4-1 win against the Pennington School in the 2011 Prep A championship gave St. Benedict's a perfect 24-0 season, its 23rd consecutive Prep A title and its seventh spot as the top-ranked high school soccer team in the nation by ESPN/Rise, having been recognized as national champion in 1990, 1997–98, 2001, 2005-06 and 2011.[8]

Extracurricular activities

St. Benedict's has a music, and a visual arts program.

Its Drama Guild has traveled to England, Ireland and Bolivia.

The band has participated in local and national shows, including competitions in Boston and Montreal.

The Benedict News is nationally recognized among student newspapers. It has won the Columbia student press award more than once. The school literary magazine, The Kayrix is published every year during spring phase.

The 520 is a student-run maintenance corporation. The goal of the corporation is to cost-effectively support the maintenance needs of the school while enhancing the environment, and providing students with the opportunity to develop skills and earn a competitive income. The corporation was established in 1998.

Notables

Notable alumni

Notable faculty

References

  1. ^ a b c d St. Benedict's Preparatory School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed October 10, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Saint Benedict's Preparatory School, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Secondary Schools. Accessed October 10, 2011.
  3. ^ Essex County High Schools, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. Accessed October 10, 2011.
  4. ^ School Profile
  5. ^ About St. Benedict's and Newark Abbey, Saint Benedict's Preparatory School. Accessed June 18, 2008.
  6. ^ a b Saint Benedict's Preparatory School
  7. ^ NSCAA/adidas National Rankings: National Final Regular Season Poll Poll, November 21, 2006. Accessed July 27, 2007.
  8. ^ Staff. "Pennington (1) at St. Benedict's (4), Prep A Tournament, Final Round - Boys Soccer", Trenton Times, November 6, 2011. Accessed December 5, 2011. "With the victory, St. Benedict’s completed a perfect 24-0 campaign and will finish as the No. 1 ranked team in the country for the seventh time in school history and first time since 2006.The title is the 23rd straight Prep A crown and 25th overall state title for St. Benedict’s, which will carry a 36-game winning streak into next year.... St. Benedict’s, which was guaranteed the ESPN/Rise No. 1 spot in the national rankings with a victory, also won national championships in 1990, '97, '98, 2001, '05 and '06."
  9. ^ Sean Alvarado, UCLA Bruins. Accessed May 11, 2011. "Two-time first-team All-American under coach Rick Jacobs at St. Benedict's Prep"
  10. ^ Gregg Berhalter profile, US Soccer, accessed May 3, 2007. "A four-year letter winner for St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, N.J., where he started on the team that won two state championships and ranked No. 2 and No. 1 in the nation in 1989 (22–0) and 1990 (25–0), respectively."
  11. ^ Peter A. Carlesimo, National Invitation Tournament. Accessed December 3, 2007.
  12. ^ Ownie Carroll, The Baseball Cube. Accessed August 19, 2007.
  13. ^ "Annual Report 1999–2000". St. Benedict's Prep. 2000. pp. 10. http://www.sbp.org/documents/1999-00_annual.pdf. Retrieved 2008-11-12. 
  14. ^ Profile of John J. Degnan, New Jersey Attorney General. Accessed June 26, 2008.
  15. ^ James E. Delany, Commissioner, Big Ten Conference. Accessed December 6, 2007.
  16. ^ Galarcep, Ives. "Angulo will chase his dream", Herald News, May 16, 2007. Accessed July 27, 2007. "He's one of the most talented attacking players that I've coached in 22 years, said St. Benedict's Prep coach Rick Jacobs, who counts Ramos, Claudio Reyna and Serie A striker Gabriel Ferrari among his former players.
  17. ^ Mallozzi, Vincent M. "U.S. Swimmer Hopes to Inspire", The New York Times, August 3, 2008. Accessed August 10, 2008.
  18. ^ Wechsler, Philip. "Liddy Is Recalled As Youth in Jersey; Tenacity Recalled Average Teen-Ager Respect for Law and Order Dated Liddy's Sister Never a Ladies Man First Lieutenant in Army", The New York Times, August 27, 1973. Accessed May 11, 2011. "At a time when track was a popular sport, G. Gordon Liddy, second from the right, top, made the St. Benedict's cross-country team, winner of the state prep championship."
  19. ^ Havsy, Jane. "The MetroStars added four more players through Major League", Daily Record (Morristown), January 26, 2006. Accessed May 11, 2011. "Houston selected St. Benedict's Prep alumnus Mpho Moloi, a midfielder from the University of Connecticut, in the first round."
  20. ^ a b Galacep, Ives. "Immersed in the game", Herald News, October 24, 2006. Accessed May 3, 2007. "It isn't every day that a 15-year-old is mentioned as a candidate to add his name to the storied list of New Jersey standouts to leave St. Benedict's for memorable professional careers, such as U.S. national team legends Tab Ramos and Claudio Reyna."
  21. ^ via Associated Press. "Former St. Benedict's star and Louisville F Samardo Samuels declares for NBA Draft", The Star-Ledger, April 20, 2010. Accessed May 11, 2011.
  22. ^ Samardo Samuels, ESPN.com. Accessed May 11, 2011.
  23. ^ Nuggets Acquire J.R. Smith from Bulls: Team sends Eisley, two second round picks to Chicago, Denver Nuggets press release dated July 20, 2006. Accessed May 11, 2011 ."Originally the 18th overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft out of St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, N.J., Smith has appeared in 131 career games, averaging 9.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg and 1.5 apg in 21.7 minutes."
  24. ^ Mehta, Manish. "Former St. Benedict's star Corey Stokes shines in Villanova's 76-75 thriller over Marquette in Big East Tournament", The Star-Ledger, March 13, 2009. Accessed May 11, 2011.
  25. ^ Luicci, Tom. "NCAA Tournament: Former St. Benedict's star Lance Thomas happy as Duke role player", The Star-Ledger, March 25, 2009. Accessed May 11, 2011.
  26. ^ Yannis, Alex. "SOCCER; A Long Road to M.L.S. For MetroStars' Villegas", The New York Times, May 14, 2001. Accessed April 8, 2008. "But he said he was especially grateful to the Rev. Edwin D. Leahy, the headmaster of St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, who took Villegas under his wing as a freshman."
  27. ^ Sports biography of Blood, Ernest A., accessed May 3, 2007. "Blood coached at the U. S. Military Academy in 1924–25 and 1925–26, then went to St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, where he spent the rest of his career, retiring in 1949. His St. Benedict's teams won five state championships."

External links
Benedictine High Schools in the United States
Maur Hill - Mount Academy, Atchison, KS · Marmion Academy, Aurora, IL · Linton Hall, Bristow, VA
St. Scholastica, Chicago, IL · Benedictine High School, Cleveland, OH · Saint John's Preparatory School, Collegeville, MN
St. Bernard Preparatory School, Cullman, AL · Delbarton School, Morristown, NJ · Benedictine Academy, Elizabeth, NJ
Mount Michael Benedictine Abbey and High School. Elkhorn, NE · Cistercian Preparatory School, Irving, TX
Benet Academy, Lisle, IL · Saint Benedict's Preparatory School, Newark, NJ · St. Bede Academy, Peru, IL
Portsmouth Abbey School, Portsmouth, RI · Saint Gertrude High School, Richmond, VA
Benedictine Military School, Savannah, GA · Saint Louis Priory School, St. Louis, MO
Subiaco Abbey and Academy, Subiaco, AR · Villa Madonna Academy, Villa Hills, KY
St. Anselm's Abbey School, Washington, DC · Woodside Priory School, Portola Valley, CA ·