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Chaminade High School

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Coordinates: 40°44′39″N 73°38′58″W / 40.744123°N 73.64946°W / 40.744123; -73.64946
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For other schools with this name, see Chaminade (disambiguation).
Chaminade High School
Address
Map
340 Jackson Avenue

Mineola
,
New York
11501-2441

United States
Information
TypePrivate, All-Male
MottoFortes in Unitate
(Strength in Unity)
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
(Marianist)
Established1930
PresidentBro. Thomas Cleary, S.M.
PrincipalBro. Joseph Bellizzi, S.M.
ChaplainFr. Garret Long, S.M.
Grades9-12
Enrollment1,707 (2012-2013)
Average class size35-40 students
Student to teacher ratio22:1
Color(s)Crimson and Gold   
Athletics18 varsity sports
Team nameFlyers
AccreditationMiddle States Association of Colleges and Schools [2]
PublicationSkylight (literary magazine)
NewspaperTarmac
YearbookCrimson and Gold
Dean of StudentsJohn Callinan
Athletic DirectorDonald Scarola
Websitechaminade-hs.org

Chaminade High School is a Roman Catholic college preparatory high school for young men. Located in Mineola, New York, United States, the school was founded in 1930 by the Society of Mary (Marianists), an international Roman Catholic teaching order of priests and religious Brothers. The school is named for Father William Joseph Chaminade, S.M. (1761–1850), who founded the Marianist order in 1817, and who was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000. The school continues to be operated by the Marianists and is independent of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre. The school has a student body of slightly over 1,700 who come from Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties), neighboring New York City, and as far away as New Jersey. The administration and faculty consist of both Marianists and lay men and women.

Students follow a classic liberal arts curriculum, including four years each of English, Foreign Language (either French, German, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish), Mathematics, Religion, Science (Earth Science or Oceanography, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), and Social Studies, as well as one year each of Art, Music Appreciation, and Health. In senior year, students take an additional (advanced) year of either Art or Music Appreciation. For highly achieving students, there is the opportunity to enroll in a full year of collegiate study during their senior year, which is conducted on-site at Chaminade by professors from Long Island University. Chaminade is known for its rigorous academic program, and average SAT scores are consistently well above the national average.[1] Historically, 100% of Chaminade graduates are accepted into college, and each year over 99% of them chose to attend college. In 2012, all 415 graduates were accepted into college; the class of 2012 was awarded 1,227 scholarships, of which 1,223 were academic, and 300 students were awarded more than one scholarship.

Chaminade has an extensive selection of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, with over 90% of the student body participating in at least one activity. Additionally, more than 50% of the student body participates on at least one interscholastic athletic team.[3] The school's athletic teams are nicknamed the Flyers, honoring the fact that at the time of Chaminade's founding, Mineola and the surrounding communities of Long Island were part of what was then a "cradle of aviation", with such pioneering aviators as Charles Lindbergh, Wiley Post, and Amelia Earhart making world-record flights from nearby Roosevelt Field. In line with Chaminade's chosen nickname the school newspaper is, appropriately, called Tarmac, a term for airport pavement.

Religious identity

All students take four years of Religion, beginning with biblical and Salvation history (Freshman and Sophomore years), followed by Christian morality and ethics (Junior year), and Christian existentialism (Senior year). The entire student body gathers for Mass each month; additionally, the Gold Star Mass is celebrated every Fall to honor those Chaminade alumni who gave their lives in protection of the United States as members of the military services. Students have the opportunity for confession (the Sacrament of Reconciliation) every Tuesday and Thursday, while Eucharistic adoration is offered every Monday to students and faculty. A short prayer service is also offered every day, before each lunch period.

Athletics

The following are the varsity sports offered at Chaminade:

Fall Season: Crew; Cross-Country; Football; and Soccer

Winter Season: Basketball; Bowling; Ice Hockey; Indoor Track & Field; Riflery; Swimming and Diving; and Wrestling

Spring Season: Baseball; Crew; Golf; Lacrosse; Outdoor Track & Field; Tennis; and Volleyball

Over the years Chaminade has established top programs in many of the above sports, and in 2002, 2006, 2007, and 2010, the soccer team was the New York State Catholic High Schools Champion, while the lacrosse team has often been ranked among the top 20 high school lacrosse programs in the nation.

Finances

In 1986, Father Philip Eichner, S.M. ('53), then the president of Chaminade, conceived of the idea of a permanent endowment fund to lower the cost of tuition at the school. The interest income generated from the principal would decrease the cost of the school's tuition. Together with Brother Gary Eck, S.M., the Director of Development at the time, Father Eichner envisioned the time when the school's tuition could be capped, if not eventually lowered. The fund is now known as the Torch Fund, and the Torch Fund's principal balance has grown dramatically over the years. For the 2012-2013 school year, interest from the Torch Fund covers $1,325 (14%) of the total tuition cost for each student, leaving the parent responsibility at $8,235.

Other

Chaminade has developed extensive musical and theatrical performance groups over the years. The school has three concert bands (based on level of experience and performance), a string orchestra, a pep band (for sporting events), a jazz band, a bagpipe corps, junior and senior Glee Clubs, and a vocal chamber ensemble. The school produces two plays each year, a dramatic production in the Fall and a musical production in the Spring, utilizing young women from nearby schools for the female roles.

Student publications at Chaminade, including the school newspaper (Tarmac), the yearbook (Crimson and Gold), and the literary magazine (Skylight), consistently place among the top publications in scholastic press association competitions.

Chaminade has become nationally known for its success in forensics (public speaking). The Robert C. Wright Speech and Debate Team (named in honor of alumnus and former Chairman of NBC Universal Robert C. Wright) regularly competes with the best high school speaking and debating teams, both in the New York City Metropolitan area and nationally, and has produced national champions in several events.

Chaminade achieved a major addition to its facilities upon completion of the new Activities and Athletic Center (AAC) in 2007. This $25 million facility was completely paid for through donations specifically dedicated to the project, and not through any draws against the school's endowment fund. The AAC main arena holds 1,500 for basketball games and 2,500 for Masses and non-athletic events. The facility also incorporates a 1/10 mile indoor track suspended over the main arena, a premier wrestling room, and a 200 person auditorium. Reflecting the school's Marianist tradition, the AAC lobby displays a full scale replica of the Pieta, while a crucifix adorns the main arena. On September 19, 2007 then retiring Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace visited Chaminade to speak to the student body and faculty as part of the facility's dedication. General Pace was the first guest speaker at the AAC. Guido Farinaro, a 1967 Chaminade alumnus, was the first Marine to die under Pace's command, while both were serving in the Vietnam War.

Chaminade is one of the only high schools in America (and the only public facility on Long Island) to own and operate a theater pipe organ. The Chaminade organ, housed in the school's 1,200 seat Darby Auditorium, is a Robert Morton console with ranks by Wurlitzer, Robert Morton, Austin, and Barton.[4] It is composed of 3 manuals and 15 ranks.

In the summer of 2006, the female secretary to the President brought a lawsuit against Chaminade High School for gender discrimination, after she was fired for having a relationship with a male faculty member who was still married. The suit also alleged that cameras were placed in the locker room.[5]

Chaminade competes annually in the New York State Envirothon. The school has won the regional competition for five of the six years that it has been participating, and has achieved a 3rd place ranking twice, at the state level.

Notable alumni

Since its founding, Chaminade has produced over 20,000 graduates. Chaminade alumni live worldwide. Notable alumni, living and deceased, include:

Notes

  1. ^ a b Winnie Hu, At a Boys' Catholic School, Tradition Fuels Demand, N.Y. Times (September 28, 2008) , available at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/nyregion/long-island/28cathli.html
  2. ^ MSA-CSS. "MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools". Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  3. ^ Chaminade High School
  4. ^ New York Theatre Organ Society Web page External link converted 8/15/09.
  5. ^ Haberman, Zach (August 17, 2006). "Sex-Sack Flap at Catholic HS - GAL Axed, Lover Not: Suit". New York Post. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
  6. ^ Siena College
  7. ^ Eisenberg, Carol (2005-12-02). "Last tango for Chaminade prom". Newsday. Archived from the original on 2007-11-18. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  8. ^ "Head coach Bob McKillop provides Davidson's motivation". Daily News. New York. 2008-03-24.
  9. ^ Healy, Patrick D. (2006-02-26). "L.I. Democrat Takes On Spitzer in Governor Race". NY Times. Retrieved 2008-01-25.

40°44′39″N 73°38′58″W / 40.744123°N 73.64946°W / 40.744123; -73.64946

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