Saint Ignatius High School (Cleveland)
Saint Ignatius High School is a private Roman Catholic Jesuit high school for men located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Founded in 1886 by a group of German Jesuits from Buffalo, New York on the invitation of Bishop Richard Gilmore, the school was originally a six-year secondary school based on the German Gymnasium that was to be attended after the completion of six years of grammar school. Separate four-year high school and college programs were formed in 1902, with the college changing its name to John Carroll University in 1925 and moving out of the Cleveland, Ohio location to University Heights, Ohio in 1935.
Saint Ignatius High School remains at its original location at 1911 West 30th Street to this day. The campus includes the original structure, now known as the Main Building, Loyola Hall (originally St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School), Clavius Science Center, Saint Mary of the Assumption Chapel (named after a church that once was located on the current campus), Father Sullivan, S.J. Gymnasium, Carroll Gymnasium, Murphy Field House, Kyle Field, and the O'Donnell Athletic Complex, which houses Wasmer Field and Wasmer Track.
The school shares its motto "Men for Others" (attributed to Father Pedro Arrupe, S.J.) with nearly every other Jesuit school. The school's mascot is the Wildcat and its colors are blue (normally the shade referred to as "navy blue") and gold (a shade of yellow).
The school is also renowned for its very successful football program and its high standards of academic excellence. Each year, its graduates go on to colleges and universities all across the country, with students continuously representing over 50 different institutions. However, the school is most proud of its formation of its students as complete, well-rounded men who are not only academically prepared for their futures, but spiritually and socially as well.
Academic Achievements
- In 1985 was named a National Exemplary School.
- Students consistently receive academic recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (20 Semifinalists, 24 Commended Students in 2002); the National Achievement Program (One Referred Student in 2002), and the National Hispanic Recognition Program (One Scholar in 2002).
- The Speech and Debate Team placed first in the State of Ohio in 2001.
- Won the Ohio Math League Competition for the State of Ohio in 2002 and 2003.
- The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) averages are well above the national averages.
- Almost one hundred percent of the students go on to a four-year college or university within one year of graduation.
- More than fifty percent of the teachers have been at the school ten or more years, and almost forty percent of them are Ignatius graduates who have returned to the school to support and continue its reputation for academic excellence. Eighty percent of the professional staff hold advanced degrees.
- The College Board recognizes Saint Ignatius as one of the top one hundred high schools in terms of the number of advanced placement examinations taken by students.
- The Society of Jesus has recognized the school’s Arrupe Neighborhood Partnership program as a Model Project Building Just Communities in the United States.
Notable alumni
Notable alumni of Saint Ignatius High School include:
- Charles Geschke, '56 - Co-founder of Adobe Systems
- Chris Hovan, '96 - Defensive Lineman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Dave Ragone, '98 - Quarterback, Houston Texans
- Matt Kata, '96 - Second Baseman, Arizona Diamonbacks
- Mike Buddie, Major League Baseball player for the Milwaukee Brewers
- Murlan J. Murphy, '35 - Inventor of Murphy's Oil Soap
- Tim Mack, '90 - 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist (Pole Vault)
Ohio Division I State Championships
- Football - 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2001
- Cross Country - 1993, 1994
- Wrestling - 1988
- Hockey - 2000
- Basketball – 2001
- Golf - 2001, 2002
- Track and Field - 2001
- Baseball - 2002
- Soccer - 2004
- Crew - Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championship - 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005 & National Championship - Men's Junior 4+ 2004