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Don Bosco Preparatory High School

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Coordinates: 41°04′19″N 74°08′09″W / 41.072038°N 74.135707°W / 41.072038; -74.135707
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Don Bosco Preparatory High School
Address
Map
492 North Franklin Turnpike

Ramsey
,
(Bergen County)
,
New Jersey New Jersey
07446

 United States
Coordinates41°04′19″N 74°08′09″W / 41.072038°N 74.135707°W / 41.072038; -74.135707
Information
TypePrivate, All-Male
MottoMolding Men Today To Lead Tomorrow
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established1915
PresidentFr. Louis Molinelli SDB
PrincipalJohn Stanczak
Grades9–12
Campus size35 acres
Color(s)Maroon and White   
Athletics conferenceNorthern New Jersey Interscholastic League
Team nameIronmen
AccreditationMiddle States Association of Colleges and Schools[1]
NewspaperIronman
YearbookBosconian
Admissions DirectorBrian McAleer
Athletic DirectorNunzio Campanile
Websitewww.donboscoprep.com

Don Bosco Preparatory High School (Don Bosco Prep) is a private, Roman Catholic secondary school for young men, grades 9 through 12. Founded by the Salesians of Don Bosco, a religious order of priests and brothers, Don Bosco Prep is attended by eight hundred seventy-five students . The school is situated on a thirty-five acre campus in Ramsey, New Jersey, United States.

History

Early Years

St. John Bosco, the "Friend of the Young and the Poor," is the patron saint of Don Bosco Prep.

Don Bosco Prep was founded on April 3, 1915, with the arrival of the first students, who transferred from Don Bosco Polish Institute in Hawthorne, New York. The Ramsey School, initially known as Don Bosco Institute, was a boarding school for Polish boys taught by Polish Salesian priests. St. John Bosco's educational methodology, employing reason, religion, and kindness to reach the hearts of the young, inspired the Salesian priests and brothers. The first director of the school was the Rev. Robert Wieczorek, a Salesian priest and one of the four co-founders of Don Bosco Prep. The first graduation took place in 1917. The young men who completed the academic requirements for graduation in 1917, became the school's first alumni and established the standard of excellence for the 10's of thousands of graduates that were to follow. [2]

During that same year, the south wing of the school, currently housing the Chapel of Mary Help of Christians, was built. Four years later, the north wing was added, providing additional dormitories for students, classroom space, and a small gymnasium on the ground floor. Today, this building is called St. John's Hall and holds the residence for the Salesians as well as the chapel, art room, computer rooms, classrooms, and the library. Student enrollment rapidly increased, especially with the applications of students from the growing surrounding communities, who wished to attend as day students. It was during this time, with students attending from a wide geographic area, that they became known as Ironmen, a title awarded first to the illustrious championship Don Bosco Prep Basketball Team of 1944. This name has stuck and continues to inspire Don Bosco students as academics, athletes, and men. An important sign that also emerged at Don Bosco Prep was that over 200 of Don Bosco Prep's graduates have found their vocations as priests and religious brothers.[2]

1950s-1970s

In the 1950s, the numbers of students were too high to take in as boarders. The expansion of Don Bosco Prep with the increase of day students progressed so rapidly that another building had to be erected. Immaculata Hall, named after Saint John Bosco's favorite patroness, the Immaculate Mother of God, was built in 1954. This beautiful building provided many new classrooms, a large cafeteria as well as a spacious gymnasium. The doors were now open to all high school applicants. Over the years, as the school solidified its reputation in quality Salesian education, De Sales Hall was built in 1969. It provided a beautiful auditorium for theatre and assemblies, extensive classrooms, lecture halls, and science laboratories, as well as administrative offices for the school. . By 1972, the last boarding students graduated, and the student body from that time forward was comprised entirely of day students. Three years after the completion of De Sales Hall, Don Bosco Prep purchased 13 additional acres. Following this, the school became the fortunate recipient of a generous donation from the Granatell family, which allowed the school to build the Charles I. Granatell Athletic Stadium in 1972. This was soon followed by a baseball stadium with a handsome diamond and outfield, located at the southern end of the property, bordering on Franklin Turnpike.[2]

Recent Years

In 1988, a further renovation was made to the north wing of St. John's Hall ,which converted the small older gymnasium into a new library. The beautiful chapel at the south end of St. Johns Hall, always considered the soul of the school, decorated with artistic renaissance paintings, was renovated in 1990. It is considered the Lord's earthly abode where the boys as well as the faculty and religious can find comfort and peace at any time of the day. During 2003, reconstruction of the athletic field with the installation of state-of-the-art FieldTurf, a new track, and the addition of an Alumni Park further improved the Granatell Stadium complex. In 2004, Fr. Louis Molinelli, SDB, '79 was appointed Director/President of Don Bosco Prep. During the same year, Mr. John Stanczak was appointed principal of the school. Since 1915, Don Bosco Prep has graduated over 10,000 men, who have gone on to make significant contributions in all walks of life.[2]

Accreditation

Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Don Bosco Prep is a member of The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, The National Catholic Educational Association, The National Association of Secondary School Principals, The National Honor Society and The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Location

Don Bosco Prep is located in the Borough of Ramsey, New Jersey. The institution draws students from a wide geographical region, including Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Essex and Sussex counties in New Jersey as well as Rockland and Orange counties in New York. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.

Course offerings

Courses currently available include: Algebra I*, Geometry*, Algebra II/Trigonometry*, Pre-Calculus*, Statistics, AP Calculus AB and BC, Composition, American Literature*, British Literature*, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, Creative Writing, AP Latin, Latin, French, Italian, German, Spanish*, World History*, AP United States History*, AP European History, AP United States Government and Politics, Biology*, Chemistry*, Physics*, Environmental Science, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics B, Astronomy, AP Psychology, Economics, Criminal Justice, Film Studies, Intro to Law, Sociology, Musical Arts, Theology, Anatomy and Physiology, Fine Arts, AP Studio Art, Visual BASIC, and Computer Science

* an honors version of the class is available

Athletics

The athletic teams are nicknamed the Ironmen and the school colors are maroon and white. In 2008 they were ranked as the number nine sports program in the nation by Sports Illustrated.[3]

One of two fountains on the Ramsey, NJ campus.
Mary, Help of Christians Chapel in St. John's Hall is the center of religious activity on campus.

The school was recognized as the Group A winner of the NJSIAA ShopRite Cup in 2006-07. The award recognized the school for achieving a tie for 3rd in Boys Soccer, 1st in Boys Cross Country, 1st in Football, 2nd in Wrestling, 2nd in Boys Indoor Track and Field Relays, a tie for 3rd in baseball, 2nd in boys golf, a tie for 3rd in boys lacrosse and 2nd in boys track and field.[4]

Fall

The Prep fields football, soccer and cross country teams in the fall.

Cross Country

The cross country team has won the New Jersey State Championship for 2007, placed third at the Nike Northeast Regional Race, and placed 10th at Nike Team Nationals in Portland, Oregon. They also recently ended Christian Brothers Academy's 11-year winning streak at the state group championships, and in 2005 the freshman cross country team ended the 19 year streak of CBA in the NJCTCs.[5]. More recently the squad finished sixth in the country at Nike Cross Nationals.

Soccer

The soccer team were state runners-up in 2009 and is a perennial competitor for the state title. They have been described as a focused team that deals very well with adversity. In 2009, they defeated Bergen Catholic High School in the Bergen County Tournament final 3-0. Villanova commit Dylan Renna scored along with finishes by Gio Esposito and Ryan McNamara. The team also won the county championship in 2007 and were ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 4 in country.[citation needed]

There is also a fall crew team, started in 2006, and they hope to expand upon the reputation and success that DBP has gained in spring rowing.

Football

Don Bosco Prep's football program is a competitor for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public Group IV championship almost every year, appearing in every state championship game since 2002. Since Don Bosco first started playing pigskin, the Ironmen have won 12 state championships (1968, 1970, 1973, 1983, 1984, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009). Don Bosco Prep has been boosted by regular season competition with perennial powerhouses such as Bergen Catholic High School and Saint Joseph Regional High School. The football team ended the 2002 season ranked No. 8 in the nation in USA Today’s “Super 25” ranking of the best high school football teams in the country[6], and was ranked 2nd in the nation in the 2003 season.[7] In 2006, the Ironmen finished the season ranked No. 7 in the nation.[8] In 2002, 2003, and 2006, the football team won the Star Ledger Trophy as the best team in New Jersey[citation needed] and ended the season in each of those three years ranked number 1 in the East by USA Today.[9][10][11]

On September 27, 2008, the nationally-ranked football team traveled to California where they defeated powerhouse De La Salle High School 23 - 21 on national television, the winning margin coming with 10 seconds left on a 19-yard field goal.[12]

On September 12, 2009, the Ironmen hosted national powerhouse De La Salle High School, from Concord, California. The Ironmen of Don Bosco defeated De La Salle 30-6, for the second consecutive time. Don Bosco also traveled later in the year to Prattville, Alabama to take on this National powerhouse. This game was televised nation wide by ESPN. The Ironmen came out on top winning 35-24. The Ironmen finished the season with an undefeated record of 12-0, while finishing strong with a 35-15 victory over Saint Peter's Prep, in the state championships, at Giants Stadium.

In the beginning of the season the Ironmen were ranked as one of the top 30 teams in the nation, and after some solid wins the Ironmen kept moving up in the rankings, becoming the second best team in the nation, until national powerhouse Saint Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Florida lost in the Florida State Semi-finals Playoffs, and the Ironmen of Don Bosco Prep became number one in the nation. The Ironmen finished up as number one in the nation, achieving their first national title. The Don Bosco Prep Ironmen became the first team in New Jersey State history to finish at number one in the nation. The Ironmen lost many seniors in 2009, many went on to Division I colleges such as, the University of Virginia, Boston College, Rutgers University, the University of Pittsburgh, and many others.

Winter

Don Bosco currently fields eight varsity athletic teams in the winter including the three-time defending Bergen County Champion basketball team, a hockey team, wrestling, and bowling programs. DBP also has swimming and fencing teams, a ski racing team and an indoor track & field program. Don Bosco's ski team has won the league championship five years in a row, and always has a strong showing in the state race.

Swimming

The swimming program was only introduced three years ago but has climbed the ranks to place third this year in its league. On January 5, 2008, Don Bosco swim team beat Bergen Catholic High School, in a 98-72 win for the Ironmen that was the first time Bergen Catholic has lost in 23 years at a duel meet.[13]

Hockey

The Bosco hockey squad is expected to be a strong contender for state championships in the coming years under the direction of Greg Toskos (the program's all-time leading scorer. This comes shortly after the departure of Gene Katz. Toskos played for the Ironmen hockey team in the early 1990s, when the team was recognized as a state-powerhouse. In 1994, the program experienced its best year, posting a 27-3 record and reaching the state finals where they lost to Christian Brothers Academy.

Fencing

Don Bosco's fencing team is a perennial powerhouse, finishing the 2007 season second in the league and placing 8th in the state. Each of the team's squads also had an impressive showing at States, as the épée team placed 6th, the saber 10th, and the foil 15th.

Indoor Track & Field

The indoor track team & field team has risen to national prominence in the past few years, with a 2006 National Title in the 3200m (4x800m) relay at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships held in New York City. In addition, the Ironmen have won County championships indoors for 4 consecutive years and have won numerous league/conference and invitational titles.

Wrestling

The wrestling team won the 2007 Non-Public North A state sectional championship with a 32-28 win against rival Bergen Catholic High School.[14]

Spring

The school offers seven varsity sports in the spring season including baseball, golf, lacrosse, track & field, tennis, crew and volleyball.

Outdoor Track & Field

The Ironmen are 4-time state champions in spring track with wins in 1955, 1961, 2006 and most recently in 2009, when they defeated Seton Hall Prep, 95-68. The track team has won county championships for several years running, and has won many league & conference titles in the NNJIL. Also of note, the 2007 Sprint Medley Relay team of Jason Kelsey, Matthew Cato, Marvin Whilby and Sharif Webb captured a National Title at the Nike Outdoor Nationals held in Greensboro, North Carolina. In 2009, the 4x1 Mile Relay team earned All-American status with a 5th place finish at the Nike Outdoor Nationals.

Baseball

The baseball team won the county title in 2001, 2006, 2007, and 2008. The 2008 squad posted a record of 33-0 and won the non-public A state championship, and were ranked No. 2 in the nation by USA Today that season. The team is now coached by former MLB pitcher Mike Stanton.

The lacrosse, golf and volleyball teams are teams on the rise. (The golf team finished undefeated in 2009 and was ranked within the top 5 teams in the state.)

Clubs

Don Bosco Prep offers clubs and activities for student involvement. These include: [citation needed]

  • Liberty in North Korea
  • Spectrum
  • Paintball Team/Club
  • Pro-Life Club
  • Venture Crew
  • Debate Team
  • Mock Trial
  • Theater Programs
  • French Club
  • Mission Club
  • Ambassadors Club
  • Model United Nations
  • Model Congress
  • Student Government
  • Concert Band
  • Youth Ministry
  • Liturgical Choir/Chorus
  • Art Club
  • Business Club
  • German Culture Club
  • Italian Club
  • Amnesty International
  • Yearbook (The Bosconian)
  • Newspaper (The Ironman)
  • Peer Mediation
  • Hacky Sack Club
  • Frisbee Tub (Half team half club)
  • Outdoors Club
  • Chess Club
  • Anime Club (The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture)
  • French Club
  • Writing Club
  • Karate Club
  • Ski and Snowboard Club
  • Environmental Awareness Club

Concert Series

In order to raise awareness of arts at Don Bosco Prep, the music department and alumni have begun a series of concerts. Some of these concerts feature religious or classical music and are included in the "Mary, Help of Christians Chapel Concert Series." Other concerts, organized by the alumni association, present more contemporary music. Billed artists have included:

Notable alumni

Athletes

References

  1. ^ MSA-CSS. "MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools". Retrieved 2009-07-31.
  2. ^ a b c d "History of Don Bosco Prep" (English). Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  3. ^ Brown, David. "Jersey has unique barriers to balance", The Standard-Times (New Bedford), June 25, 2008. Accessed August 6, 2008. "Earlier this year, Sports Illustrated ranked Don Bosco the No. 9 high school sports program in the country."
  4. ^ Fourth Annual ShopRite Cup: 2006‐2007 Final Standings, NJSIAA. Accessed June 2, 2008.
  5. ^ Don Bosco Prep halts CBA's streak at 11, The Star-Ledger, November 12, 2006
  6. ^ USA TODAY's prep football Super 25 for 2002, USA Today, accessed December 30, 2006
  7. ^ USA TODAY's prep football Super 25 for 2006, USA Today, accessed December 30, 2006
  8. ^ USA TODAY's prep football Super 25 for 2006, USA Today, accessed December 30, 2006
  9. ^ Super 25 prep football regional rankings: 2002, USA Today, December 24, 2002
  10. ^ Super 25 prep football regional rankings: 2003, USA Today, December 22, 2003
  11. ^ Super 25 prep football regional rankings: 2006, USA Today, December 26, 2006
  12. ^ Staff. "Don Bosco nips De La Salle with last-second field goal", USA Today, September 28, 2008. Accessed October 1, 2008.
  13. ^ "Don Bosco swim team makes history", The Record (Bergen County), January 5, 2008. Accessed January 12, 2008.
  14. ^ 2007 Team Wrestling Tournament - Non-Public, North A, NJSIAA. Accessed July 24, 2007.
  15. ^ "Real-life treasure hunter: Author of Thieves of Baghdad to speak at Jubilee Center fundraiser", Hudson Reporter, June 25, 2006.
  16. ^ John Pizzarelli interview, Jazz Review. Accessed May 16, 2007. "JazzReview: Where did you go to high school? John Pizzarelli: Don Bosco High School, Ramsey, New Jersey."
  17. ^ [1], Don Bosco Preparatory High School President's Gala Announcement. Accessed October 20, 2007. "John P. Wallace, '84, President, NBC Owned & Operated Television Stations."
  18. ^ C.J. Nitkowski plauer profile, Sporting News, accessed February 26, 2007
  19. ^ Silverstein, Tom. "Prep school holds Grant in high regard for starting strong tradition on gridiron", Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, January 15, 2008. Accessed June 15, 2008. "Running back Ryan Grant (above, below) starred at Don Bosco High School in Ramsey, N.J., in 1999-'00."
  20. ^ Lawlor, Christopher. "Don Bosco (N.J.), No. 5 De La Salle win at Herbstreit Challenge", USA Today, September 17, 2006. Accessed May 16, 2007. "Quarterback Matt Simms, whose father Phil played for the New York Giants...
  21. ^ Bierman, Fred. " PLUS: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL; Don Bosco Defeats Bergen Catholic", The New York Times, November 13, 2000. Accessed May 16, 2007. "Toal ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 53 (32 solos) last season. It was a noticeable drop from two years ago. He had arrived from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J., as the school's most coveted football recruit, was second on the team in tackles with 77 (37 solos), and earned Big East Rookie of the Year honors."
  22. ^ Zagoria, Adam. "Teel ready to take reins for RU", Herald News, July 25, 2006. Accessed May 16, 2007. "Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano believes Teel, who led Don Bosco to back-to-back state titles and 24 straight wins, has progressed enough to take over when the season begins Sept. 2 with an ABC regional game at North Carolina."
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