St. John's Jesuit High School
| St. John's Jesuit High School | |
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| Information | |
| Type | Private, all-male, college-preparatory |
| Motto | Ad Maioriem De Glorium |
| Established | 1898 |
| President | Rev. Donald Vetesse, S.J. |
| Rector | Rev. Tom Pipp, S.J. |
| Principal | Mr. Timothy Malone |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 800+ |
| Campus | St. John's Jesuit High School and Academy |
| Color(s) | Blue & Vegas Gold |
| Athletics | Toledo City League, Division I |
| Mascot | Titan |
| Newspaper | Cavalier |
| Yearbook | Promethean |
| Affiliations | Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo, Jesuit |
| Website | http://www.sjjtitans.org |
St. John's Jesuit High School is one of two schools at St. John's Jesuit, the other being the Academy. It is located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo. It is a private, all-male Jesuit college-preparatory high school in Toledo, Ohio with an enrollment of over 800 students. Although it was founded as a college in 1898 in downtown Toledo, it was closed during the Great Depression and was re-established as a preparatory school in 1965 in South Toledo. It is known for its academic rigor, outstanding college admissions program, extensive local and foreign service program, and diversity in types of student activities. St. John's Jesuit has been the area's forerunner in technological developments, facility updates, and in providing the best possible environment for its student body in all areas: academics, athletics, music, art, spiritual life, and social life.
Plans for a $4.5 million renovation to the school's commons and surrounding area, set to begin in April of this school year, outline a student union type atmosphere for the commons with a new music wing and renovated auditorium.
The main administrators are President of Advancement Donald Vettese, S.J.; Vice President of Advancement Michael Downing; Principal Tim Malone; Associate Academic Principal Cherie Bischoff; and Associate Principal Bryon Borgelt.
School Trademarks
The School Patron
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The School Patron is St. John Berchmans, a Belgian Jesuit who lived in the seventeenth century. His life and beliefs as a Jesuit were featured not so much by unusual, dramatic actions as by the loving practice of fidelity to God in day to day living. John's distinctive mark of sanctity lay in his appreciation of and participation in the ordinary aspects of life. He is an ideal patron, as John demonstrates that one does not have to be a star to be outstanding. Being faithful to work, being willing to involve oneself in activities, being available for others -- accomplishing all this without great fanfare is a very real way to success.[1]
The School Seal
The School Seal is a modification of the coat of arms of the Loyola family -- the family of the founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius Loyola. In the 15th century the Loyola knights were identified by a coat of arms consisting of two shields. The one shield depicts a cauldron suspended by a chain between two wolves. The wolves, plentiful in the Basque hills of Spain, mark the family as Basques. The cauldron is a symbol of hospitality -- a home which welcomes all. The bands on the opposite shield stand for the Loyola brothers who fought against the invading French in 1321.[2]
The School Colors
The School Colors are Blue and Vegas Gold and are hailed in both school songs: the Alma Mater and the Fight Song. Symbolically, the blue represents filial piety and the gold stands for integrity. Ideally, these virtues of devotion and uprightness will be evidenced in every loyal member of the St. John's Jesuit Community.[3]
Academics
To be enrolled in St. John's a student must pass an entrance and placement exam. St. John's runs on a 4.0 GPA scale with a 4.3 being an A+. To graduate from St. John's each student must complete eight full semesters. Theology and English are compulsory all four years of study, math and science, three. All classes offered by the school are at the Ohio accredited college-preparatory level. St. John's offers a large number of Honors classes which receive a 0.5 weight to their GPA. St. John's also offers many Advanced Placement (AP) courses which receive a 1.0 weight and possible college credit.
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Athletics
Athletics at St. John's Jesuit are co-curricular. The program is directed by Athletic Director Brian Miller. Sports include: Basketball, Football, Soccer, Ice Hockey, Baseball, Track and Field, Cross Country, Bowling, Lacrosse, Swimming, Golf, Tennis, Rowing, and a recently established Table Tennis team.
The basketball program has been a continuing threat in the City League under the direction of Coach Ed Heintschel, and the Titan football program is rising in prominence under Coach Doug Pearson. The Titans have won or shared the Toledo City-League All Sports Trophy 25 times in the last 33 years; the most of any high school in the city league.
Other athletic accomplishments
- Rowing - 2004 Midwest Championship, 2006 Midwest Championship, 2006 Scholastic National Championship (Third)
- Cross Country - 2006 State Championship Runner Up
- Hockey - 1999,[4] (Won state title game, however later forfeited to Bowling Green High School due to the use of an ineligible player.)
- Basketball - Runner Up 1993, 1996, 2004. Final Four 2003, 2006.
Fine Arts
The Fine Arts Department at St. John's is chaired by Mr. Dan Zawojski. The Director of Instrumental Music is Lee Michael Morrison, and the Director of Choral Music is Mr. Luke D. Rosen. Art is also taught by Mr. Don Townsend and Mr. Nicholas Marconi. Mrs. Barbara Trimble, a german instructor, teaches Speech and Theater.
Music
The SJJ Music Department has recently become the model of excellence in the Toledo area. With and outstanding men's chorus and select vocal ensemble and the area's largest private school marching band, symphonic band, Jazz Machine, and Jazz Ensemble.
Choral Music
The Choral Music Department at St. John's is directed by Mr. Luke D. Rosen. It is currently comprised of 53 members and includes a curricular men's chorus and an extra-curricular select men's vocal ensemble. The Men's Chorus received a Superior rating at the OMEA District I Large Ensemble Competition, and will compete in the state level of this competition on April 27, 2007. This is the first time the Chorus has competed in the State competition since 1995. Members of the Chorus also competed in the OMEA Solo and Ensemble competition in February of 2007, with most students receiving a I or II rating. In addition to two concerts a year, the Chorus sings at all school masses and prayer services.
Instrumental Music
The Instrumental Music Department at St. John's is directed by Lee Michael Morrison. The program includes the area's largest private high school marching band and a symphonic band. They symphonic band recently received a Very Good or II at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) large ensemble adjudication. The Department also includes one of the best jazz programs in the area. The SJJ Jazz Machine is a select ensemble open to all music students at St. John's and the Jazz Ensemble is open to any student at SJJ. Additionally the Department has a pit orchestra for the annual spring musical, a pit concert band for the SJJ Commencement Exercises and several small Jazz Combos and Concert Band Chamber Ensembles.
Students in the band and chorus additionally participate in the OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) Solos and Ensembles Adjudicated Event where they are judged based on their performance.
Recently, the St. John's Jesuit High School and Academy Community Middle School Band was added to the department. The band is open to any sixth, seventh, or eight grader that is enrolled in a middle school in the Toledo area. The Middle School Band performs with the St. John's Jesuit Academy Advanced Band.
Spring Musical
St. John's Jesuit also performs an annual spring musical. The shows are directed by Mr. Dameon Rogers, an SJJ graduate. SJJ students work with girls from Notre Dame Academy and St. Ursula High School, as well as girls from public schools, in the show. The musicals are usually performed at the Valentine Theatre in downtown Toledo. The 2007 Spring Musical is Children of Eden, and will be performed March 16-18, 2007 at the Valentine Theatre.
Art
St. John's offers many arts classes including: Drawing I, Drawing II, AP Art, and more. St. John's continues to increase funding in the Art Department, while many other schools in the Toledo Area are decreasing or stopping funding of Art all together.
Speech and Theater
Mrs. Barbara Trimble teaches the St. John's Speech Course and directs the annual fall play. The fall play is held, every year, in the St. John's Auditorium, which is scheduled for renovation in the 2008 school year.
College Counseling
St. John's is known for its college counseling program. Last year alone the Class of 2006 received $12.7 million dollars in scholarships from colleges around the world. Students begin full time with the program their Junior year. The program is headed by full time counselor Dr. Warrick, she is supported by two other full time counselors. The program is run from the school's College Resource Center or CRC.
"World As One" Program
The SJJ World As One program is an international student exchange program. Some students come from other Jesuit schools from around the world. Others come from other schools in the world who experience the Jesuit community for the first time. In this school-year 2006-07, there are 15 students representing 10 countries: Russia, Slovakia, South Korea (4x), Turkey, Germany (3x), Finland, Mexico, Ecuador, Taiwan, and Hongkong. The school tries to involve the students in the American life and also wants American students to find out about other countries. During the Activities Period (once in each month), one student holds a presentation about his country. Every year the program hosts an "International Day". Students offer their traditional food during the three lunch periods. In addition, each student will present his country to the student body.
"World As One" Mission Statement
St. John's Jesuit "World As One" program cultivates and establishes international relationships in a Christ-centered supportive learning environment. Students develop an understanding and respect for one another's beliefs, backgrounds, and cultures, creating a life-long community that values and continuously advocates justice and peace in the world.
Christian Service
Following in the footsteps of St. Ignatius and Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., St. John's Jesuit strives to develop "Men for Others." Therefore, a service project is required in order to pass any of the four compulsory theology courses at St. John's. Additionally, St. John's has the most extensive local service organization, known as the St. John's Jesuit Christian Service Team. This team sends out students daily that serve at local pre-schools, hospitals, homeless shelters, and nursing homes. The team is led by a student core team.
Central American Ministries
St. John's Central American Ministries Program or CAM was founded by the school's current president Don Vettese, S.J. several years ago and recently aligned with The University of Michigan. The program sends SJJ students, along with other students, both High School and college to Central America to work with the poor.
Missions include: El Salvador and the Guatemala City Dump. A trip to Guatemala is scheduled for this summer.
Mission Statement
St. John's Jesuit
Develops Christian Leaders.
Each Student Achieves His
Greatest Potential
In A Diverse
Christ-Centered Atmosphere
Distinguished By Academic
Success And Service As A
Man For Others.
Alma Mater
Hail to you O St. John’s High
Cherished moments never die
True to you we’ll always be
Our hearts filled with loyalty
Praise all ye Titans
Her glory proud and bold
Guide us onward alma mater
Hail the Blue and Gold
Fight Song
All hail! Titans, proud and strong
Fight on and victory will come your way
To you we raise our song
You've got the spirit to win the day
So let's see those colors bright,
Roll on, ye Titans, so brave and bold
Fight, team, with all your might
For St. John's Blue and Gold
St. John's Jesuit Academy
The St. John's Jesuit Academy was started as a pilot program, with its first class of 30 seventh and 30 eighth graders during the 2004-2005 school year. The program has been very successful, and neighboring high schools such as Central Catholic are investigating similar programs.
See also
External links
- St. John's Jesuit High School Website
- St. John's Music Department Homepage
- Virtual Tour of St. John's
- St. John's Academy Homepage
- St. John's College Counseling Homepage
References
- ^ St. John's Jesuit High School and Academy Bulletin of Information, The School Patron
- ^ St. John's Jesuit High School and Academy Bulletin of Information, The School Seal
- ^ St. John's Jesuit High School and Academy Bulletin of Information, The School Colors
- ^ a b c OHSAA. "Ohio High School Athletic Association Web site". Retrieved 2006-12-31.