St. John's Jesuit High School

St. John's Jesuit High School SJJ
File:Titan.JPG
Address
5901 Airport Highway Toledo , Ohio , Detroit Province USA
Information
Type	Private, all-male, college-preparatory
Motto	Ad Maioriem De Glorium
Established	1898
President	Rev. Donald Vettese, S.J.
Rector	Rev. Tom Pipp, S.J.
Principal	Mr. Timothy Malone
Campus Director	Bill Harrison, Br. Sebian, S.J.
Academic Principal Associate Prinicipal	Mrs. Cherie Bischoff Mr. Bryon Borgelt
Chaplain	Mr. Greg Richards
Faculty	120
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
Accreditation	North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Jesuit Secondary Education Association, Ohio Department of Education (college-prep)
Newspaper	Cavalier
Yearbook	Promethean
Affiliations	Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo, Jesuit
Website	http://www.sjjtitans.org

St. John's Jesuit High School, (SJ or SJJ) 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. It is known for its academic rigor, college admissions program, extensive local and foreign service program, and diversity in types of student activities. St. John's Jesuit is known for providing an excellent environment for its student body in all areas: academics, athletics, music, art, spiritual life, and social life. Fr. Tom Pipp has been appointed the position of the 2007-2008 Acting President of Advancement of St. John's Jesuit.

Renovations

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 performing arts wing. The commons will include a student lounge, food court, cafeteria, and a new book and spirit store. The new performing arts wing will include a band room, chorus room, instrument storage, director offices, practice rooms, a small recording studio and the renovated auditorium. The auditorium is being completley renovated with new lecture chairs, lighting and sound equipment, and improved stage; a large set storage room will be included just off the stage for the auditorium as well. Access to the wing will be off the commons, or from a new exterior entrance between the visitor/technology wing entrance and the main commons entrance. These renovations follow several recent additions to the St. John's campus since its re-opening in 1965.

St. Johns added a technology wing, including a news studio for the St. John's television channel, TV-4, a music technology lab similar to college music composition labs, the famousJesuit mural, two computer labs, and the IRC, the library on the St. John's campus. Soon following the addition of the tech wing St. John's added the Lyden Fitness Center which included the Lyden Center weight training facility (the largest in the City League), the auxillary gym, an athletic trainer's office, and renovations to the main gym, including a new floor. Between these major renovations and additions to the campus St. John's has also added a chemistry lecture hall, physics lecture hall, physics classroom, computer graphic-design lab, and a state of the art chemistry lab, and biology lab.

Background

St. John's was originally founded as St. John's College in 1898 in downtown Toledo. The school closed during the Great Depression. St. John's purchased property near Gesu school, a jesuit grade school to create a large jesuit schooling community. The plans fell through however and a group of oblates opened St. Francis de Sales High School on the property near the University of Toledo. In 1965 St. John's opened its new doors on Airport Highway in Toledo as a college-prep high school. Over the years the school has grown (See: Renovations) including a new tech wing and athletic facility. The most marked addition to the campus is the new school. The St. John's Jesuit Academy was added in the 2004-2005 school year offering 7th and 8th grade college-prep curriculum as well as high school, college-prep,and honors curriculum.

School trademarks

School patron

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.

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.

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.

Notable alumni

• Rev. Karl Joseph Alter - Archbishop of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati
  
• Michael D. Sallah - Awarded the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting for his lead reporting role on an investigative newspaper series on Tiger Force published by the Toledo Blade. He is now investigations editor for The Miami Herald.
  
• Brandon Fields - NFL punter drafted in 2007 by the Miami Dolphins
• Doug Ducey - Chairman and CEO of Cold Stone Creamery
• Scott Parsons - 2002 and 2003 US National Champion in K-1 Whitewater Slalom Kayak; 2003 Pan American Games silver medalist; 2004 US Olympic Trials Champion. 

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 values as an A+. To graduate from St. John's each student must complete eight full semesters of study, along with a four year service requirement and successful completion of senior project, a three week internship. Theology and English are compulsory for all four years of study, math and science, three. St. John's is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Jesuit Secondary Education Association, and the Ohio Department of Education. SJJ is one of only seven State of Ohio charters as a college-preparatory school. 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. In 2007 the St. John's Quiz Bowl team won 1st in the Northwest Ohio Regional Tournament.

Courses

Theology

In order to pass the compulsory theology courses each student must take part in a service project. Each year the number of required hours increases as well as the analysis assignments weight. These assignments include papers, projects, and a service contract. Each year of theology studies covers a different aspect of Christianity; the courses cover matters of history and faith.

• 610-611 Freshman Theology: Introduction to the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures
• 620-621 Sophomore Theology: Introduction to Roman Catholocism and Ignation Spirituality/History of the Christian Church
• 630-631 Junior Theology: Ethics
• 640-641 Senior Theology

English

All students must complete eight semesters of english study at St. John's, upperclassmen are offered AP Composistion and AP Literature, and Yearbook as an elective. Juniors who were previously required to take SAT Prep are now offered the class as an elective.

• 110-111 English 9
• 115-115 Honors English 9
• 120-121 English 10
• 125-126 Honors English 10
• 130-131 English 11
• 135-136 AP English Composition
  • Offered to juniors who qualify through Honors English 10 or pass the course entrance exam.
• 140-141 English 12
• 145-146 AP English Literature
  • Offered to seniors who qualify through AP English Composition of pass the course entrance exam.
• 150 SAT Prep
  • A class designed to increase the SAT scores of students. This course is taken online in through the Princeton Review.
• 155 Yearbook
  • Designs and publishes the student yearbook, the Promethean.

Mathematics

The St. John's Mathematics Department uses Integrated mathematics for the first two to three years of study depending on the students placement via the placement exam or the students performance. After completing Integrated III students begin study in trigonometry and calculus.

• 205-206 Integrated Mathematics I
• 210-211 Honors Integrated Mathematics I
• 220-221 Integrated Mathematics II
• 215-216 Honors Integrated Mathematics II (ninth grade)
• 225-226 Honors Integrated Mathematics II
• 230-231 Integrated Mathematics III
• 235-236 Honors Integrated Mathematics III
• 240-241 Integrated Mathematics IV
• 238-239 Honors Analysis (blocked with 338-339 Honors Physics)
• 242-243 Trigonometry/Introduction to Calculus
• 245-246 Honors Trigonometry/Introduction to Calculus
• 248-249 Honors Calculus
• 250-251 AP Calculus AB
• 255-256 AP Calculus BC

Science

Each student is placed in either 310-311 Conceptual Physics or 320-321 Honors Biology their freshman year. After this they are required six semesters of science education. Most science courses include a lab period, held once a week, that supplements the coursework. Students are either given a free period or another class, such as 900 Health that meets four days a week.

• 310-311 Conceptual Physics
• 312-313 Conceptual Physics Laboratory (paired once a week with 310-311 Conceptual Physics)
• 315-316 Biology
• 317-318 Biology Laboratory (paired once a week with 317-318 Biology)
• 320-321 Honors Biology
• 322-323 Honors Biology Laboratory (paired once a week with 320-321 Honors Biology)
• 330-331 Chemistry
• 332-333 Chemistry Laboratory (paired once a week with 330-331 Chemistry)
• 325-326 Honors Chemistry
• 327-328 Honors Chemistry Laboratory (paired once a week with 325-326 Honors Chemistry)
• 343-344 Physics
• 345-346 Honors Physics
• 338-339 Honors Physics/Analysis (blocked with 238-239 Honors Analysis)
• 348-349 Anatomy and Physiology
• 340-341 Physical Ecology
• 367-368 Introduction to Research
• 350-351 AP Biology
• 352-353 AP Biology Laboratory (paired once a week with 350-351 AP Biology)
• 355-356 AP Chemistry
• 357-358 AP Chemistry Laboratory (paired once a week with 355-356 AP Chemistry)
• 360-361 AP OSU Introduction to Engineering
• 362-363 AP OSU Introduction to Engineering Laboratory (included in 360-361 AP OSU Introduction to Engineering)

Social studies

• 410 Modern World Studies
• 415 East Asian Studies
• 420-421 United States History
• 425-426 AP United States History
• 430 American Government
• 431 Global Issues
• 432 Psychology
• 434 Geography
• 435-436 AP American Government
• 445 Pre-law
• 446 AP Comparative Government

Foreign language

St. John's requires three years of foriegn language study in order to increase college rapport, it is highly recommended that the students continue their study their fourth year. All fourth year courses are weighted either Honors or Advanced Placement.

• 510-511 Chinese 1
• 540-541 Honors Chinese 2
• 550-551 Honors Chinese 3
• 560-561 AP/Honors Chinese 4
• 512-513 French I
• 522-523 French II
• 542-543 Honors French II
• 552-553 Honors French III
• 562-563 Honors French IV
• 572-573 AP French
• 514-515 German I
• 524-525 German II
• 544-545 Honors German II
• 554-555 Honors German III
• 564-565 Honors German IV
• 574-575 AP German
• 516-517 Latin I
• 526-527 Latin II
• 546-547 Honors Latin II
• 556-557 Honors Latin III
• 576-577 AP Latin - Vergil
• 518-519 Spanish I
• 528-529 Spanish II
• 548-549 Honors Spanish II
• 558-559 Honors Spanish III
• 568-569 Honors Spanish IV
• 578-579 AP Spanish

Fine arts

See also: Fine arts

• 840 Introduction to Art
• 804 Music Appreciation
• 805 Music Technology
• 830 Speech and Theater
• 841 Drawing I
• 842 Drawing II
• 843 Painting
• 844 The Built Environment
• 845 Graphics
• 846 Computer Graphic Design
• 847 Digital Photography
• 870-871 AP Art
• 800-801 Band
  • Includes membership in the St. John's Jesuit Marching Band, Symphonic Band, OMEA Small Ensembles, OMEA Solos, and ability to audition for the SJJ Select Wind Ensemble, SJJ Jazz Machine, and the SJJ Commencment Exercises Wind Ensemble.
• 802-803 Percussive Arts
  • Includes membership in the St. John's Jesuit Marching Band, Symphonic Band, OMEA Small Ensembles, OMEA Solos, and ability to audition for the SJJ Select Wind Ensemble, SJJ Jazz Machine, and the SJJ Commencment Exercises Wind Ensemble.
• 806-807 AP Music Theory
  • Includes ability to audition for SJJ Jazz Machine
• 820-821 Chorus
  • Includes membership in the SJJ Men's Chorus, OMEA Solos, and ability to audition for the SJJ Select Ensemble.

Physical education and health

All students, per Ohio State requirments, are required to take two semesters of physical education and one semester of health courses in the ninth and tenth years of study.

• 905 Physical Education (ninth grade)
• 910 Physical Education (tenth grade)
• 900 Health (tenth grade, four days a week for one semester)

Computer science

Freshman are all enrolled in 701 Comuputer Applications I or 702 Intro to Programming/3D Animation for one sememster. All other computer Science courses are offered as electives for sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

• 700 Broadcasting Technology
  • Includes membership in the Titan Sports Broadcasting Network (TSBN), as an color commentator or tech crew.
• 701 Computer Applications I
• 702 Intro to Programming/3D Animation
• 703 Web Design
• 750 Computer Programming I
• 755 AP Programming II

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. Several years ago St. John's built a multi-million dollar athletic wing that included an auxilary gymnasium, a new floor in the main gym (the terror dome), and the area's largest weight room. The wing was named the Lyden Center after the significant contributions of the Lyden family.

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.

Ohio High School Athletic Association Championships

• Golf - 1931,1987,1994
• Hockey - 2007
• Tennis - 1987

Other athletic accomplishments

• Rowing - 2004 Midwest Championship, 2006 Midwest Championship, 2006 Scholastic National Championship (Third)
• Cross Country - 2006 State Championship Runner Up
• Hockey - State Championship: 1999^,2007. Final Four: 1981, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2001.
• Basketball - Final Four: 2003, 2006. State Championship Game: 1993, 1996, 2004
• Football - Final Four: 2003
• Golf - 10th in State Tournament in 2006
• Swimming - 6th in State Tournament in 2007
• Diving - David Colturi 2007 State Champion

^Won state title game 7-0, however later forfeited to Bowling Green High School due to the use of an ineligible player.

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 fifty-three 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 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 an "Excellent" 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.

In April of 2007, the SJJ Instrumental Music Department traveled to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida to participate in Disney's Magic Music Days the Jazz Machine played at "the Docks" at Downtown Disney and the Marching Titans marched in the Epcot Worldfest Parade. Additionally the SJJ Symphonic Band and Jazz Machine played some literature for the famous Lake Brantley High School Music Department in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Spring musical

St. John's Jesuit also performs an annual spring musical. The shows are directed by Mr. Damian Rogers, an SJJ graduate. SJJ students work with girls from Notre Dame Academy and St. Ursula Academy, as well as girls from public schools, in the show. The musicals are traditionally performed at the recently renovated Valentine Theatre in downtown Toledo. The 2007 Spring Musical was Children of Eden, the 2006 show was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor_© Dreamcoat.

Art

St. John's offers many arts classes including: Drawing I, Drawing II, Painting, and AP Art. Additionally, several art/technology courses are offered as electives;l they include: Built Environment, Graphics, Computer Graphic Design, and Digital Photography. 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

Last year, 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. Dr. Warrick is supported by two other full time counselors.

"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 the 2006-07 school year, there are 15 students representing 10 countries: Russia, Slovakia, South Korea (4x), Turkey, Germany (3x), Finland, Mexico, Ecuador, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The program tries to involve the students in the American lifestyle 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

A motto of the Jesuit order, found in the St. John's Mission Statement is educating "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 a local service organization, known as the St. John's Jesuit Christian Service Team. This team sends out students daily that serve at local preschools, hospitals, homeless shelters, and nursing homes. The team is led by a student core team.

Central American Ministries

File:Central American Ministries Logo.jpg

CAM logo

Central American Ministries or CAM was founded by the school's current president Don Vettese, S.J. in 1995 and recently aligned with The University of Michigan. On July 1, 2006 the ministry moved its headquarters from the St. John's Jesuit campus to Ann Arbor, Michigan near 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 trips to El Salvador and the Guatemala City Dump.

Mission statement

File:Titan.JPG

St. John's Jesuit Mascot

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 to 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

Main article: 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. Plans were recently created to expand the program to 50 students per class. In the future the school may expand the wing to separate it further from the high school. Recently the Academy, along with the St. John's Jesuit Admissions Department hosted the first annual 7th grade Leadership Conference for all 7th grade students in the Diociese of Toledo. Several St. John's Jesuit High School Ambassador Society members led the middle schoolers through several keynote speakers. St. John's plans on making the event annual.

See also

• St. John's Jesuit High School and Academy
• St. John's Jesuit Academy

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