Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School

Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School
Address
500 East Chaminade Drive
Hollywood, Florida, (Broward County), 33021
USA
Coordinates 26°00′51″N 80°11′42″W / 26.014144°N 80.194885°WCoordinates: 26°00′51″N 80°11′42″W / 26.014144°N 80.194885°W
Information
Type Private, coeducational
Motto "Ad Mundum Meliorem"
("Toward a Better World")
Religious affiliation(s) Marianist
Established August 1960
School district Broward County, South Florida
School number 631
President vacant (Fr. Larry Doersching resigned 8/25/14 for health reasons)
Principal Teresita Vazquez Wardlow
Asst. Principal Raiza Echemendia
Grades 9–12
Gender Co-ed
Enrollment 550 (2012-2013)
Average class size 19
Hours in school day 7
Campus Suburban
Houses Campbell, Grace, Danielle, Roggemann, and Doyle
Color(s) Scarlet, White, and Blue
              
Mascot Lion
Team name Lions/Lady Lions
Rival American Heritage
Accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools [1]
Newspaper Lion's Print
Dean of Students Mr. Clyde Israel
Athletic Director Mr. Marcello Rodriguez
Website www.cmlions.org

Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School (C-M) is a private Marianist school located within Hollywood, Florida on Chaminade Drive, in front of Nativity Catholic School in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami. Covering high school and college preparatory curricula, it runs from 9th grade to 12th grade. The school has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1921 and is also a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

History

1960 - 1988

In response to the growing population and the need for quality schools, the Archdiocese of Miami invited the Marianists and the School Sisters of Notre Dame to establish a school for boys, Chaminade High School, and a school for girls, Madonna Academy. Under the direction of Bro. Joseph Spehar, S.M., and Sister Eugene Marie, SSND, Chaminade High School and Madonna Academy opened their doors to the South Broward and North Miami-Dade communities in 1960.

In 1963, Bro. Donald Gaskill, S.M. was appointed principal of Chaminade High School to continue to establish the Marianist traditions of education, as well as reach out to the local communities. He would remain until 1969, with the appointment of Bro. Michael Galvin, S.M.. He was primarily responsible for obtaining accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Chaminade High School was accredited for the first time in 1973. In 1973, Fr. Richard Knuge, S.M. was appointed principal. Under his administration, construction of a school chapel and library was completed. The school’s fifth principal, Bro. Donald Winfree, S.M., supervised the construction of the Strickroth Classroom building, named in honor of Bro. John Strickroth, S.M.

In 1982, Fr. Chris Conlon, S.M., was appointed principal. This same year, Bro. John Campbell, S.M. was appointed the school’s first President. Within this position, his primary responsibility was the financial and spiritual well being of the school. In 1986, Bro. Raymond Purcell, S.M., succeeded Fr. Conlon as the leader of the school. Facing declining enrollment and financial difficulties, in 1988, the Archdiocese of Miami, the Superior General of the Marianists and the School Sisters of Notre Dame agreed to merge Chaminade High School and Madonna Academy.

1988 - Present

In August 1988, Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory was established as a coed high school. Longtime Chaminade High School teacher, counselor, and administrator, Robert Minnaugh was named Principal and charged with forming a new vision. Fr. Dan Doyle, S.M., was named the first president of the new school. Fr. Richard Knuge, S.M. succeeded Fr. Doyle in 1992. In that year, Chaminade-Madonna was honored by the Department of Education with the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award. Four years later, Bro. John Campbell, S.M. was appointed president. During Bro. Campbell’s tenure as president, he worked diligently with Mr. Minnaugh to complete construction of the Einstein Building and the renovation of Marianist Hall (which contains the department chair offices).

In 1998, Robert Minnaugh announced his retirement. Longtime Assistant Principal Mrs. Ann McGrath was named the interim principal through the 1997/1998 school year. Under some criticism, Mr. Patrick Snay was appointed Principal in the Summer of 1999. Known for having some of the best non-sport related extracurricular activity programs within Broward County, including an award winning Key Club program, debate team and an award-winning professional theatre company, under Principal Snay's leadership, the school's focus turned to the development of an award winning sports program. This included the construction of a several million dollar sports complex, increased scholarship availability and other improvements that led the achievement of an award winning program. In addition, the Learning Center was established to help students suffering from mild learning disabilities.

In 2002, Fr. John Thompson, S.M., was appointed president of the school. His initial focus turned to bringing to fruition the construction of the multi-million dollar athletic fields. The newly renovated athletic complex was completed in December 2004. He led the school through its first Capital Campaign to be highlighted by the construction of a new Fine Arts Center, a project that had initially been proposed in 1998.

In July 2003, Gloria Ramos was appointed Principal of the school.

In the Fall of 2007, the House System was implemented. The House System complements the formal system of classroom education by organizing students into small groups to develop leadership skills and foster the Marianist commitment to community.

On May 15, 2007; Mark Guandolo resigned as the athletic director and head football coach one year after his son graduated from C-M and took the head coaching job at distant Cypress Bay High School. Guandolo had unprecedented success as the football coach with a record of 81-13 and two state championships over 7 years.

In July 2008, Father Larry Doersching, SM, was appointed President.

In 2009, The Chaminade-Madonna Football team sprung recent controversy over Florida's "Mercy Rule" after defeating Pompano Beach High School's football team 83-0.[2] Quarterback Jerrard Randall and Junior Curtis Evans led the team to the controversial victory but all the starters were taken out after the first half. The Lions Football Team finished the 2009 regular season undefeated and were District and Regional 2B Champions.

The 2009-2010 school year marked Chaminade-Madonna’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee. The celebration began in August 2009 with a C-M family liturgy, anniversary cake cutting ceremony, and an aerial photograph of C-M students, faculty, and staff forming a “50.” C-M traditions and events throughout the school year continued to commemorate the rich history of Chaminade High School, Madonna Academy, and Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory over the past 50 years. The 50th Anniversary Jubilee culminated with the 50th Jubilee Celebration Mass, celebrated by former Archdiocese of Miami Archbishop John C. Favalora, and C-M Family Picnic on Saturday, May 22, 2010.

In October 2010, Chaminade-Madonna was voted the "Best School in Hollywood" in the "Best of Hollywood" contest sponsored by the Hollywood Gazette.[3]

In July 2011, Mrs. Teresita Vazquez Wardlow was appointed as the new Principal of the school. She is a class of 1981 alumna of the high school.

Beginning with the 2012-2013 school, Chaminade-Madonna announced its new educational technology initiative, which places iPads in the hands of all students and teachers.

About

The school currently offers remedial classes in numerous subjects, including both honors and AP courses to qualifying students. A unique "Spring Session" program takes place each February, allowing students to engage in numerous on and off campus activities. Such events may range from painting, to bioethics, to trips abroad. The Chaminade-Madonna Theatre Company currently produces two productions each year, down from the four produced in years past. The Chaminade-Madonna Athletics Department offers a Weight Training "Perfect Competition" program for their Football players.

School information

550 boys and girls grades 9-12.

Notable alumni

Entertainment

Athletics

Music

Broadcasting and journalism

See also

Notes and references

External links