Brophy College Preparatory
| Motto: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam | |
| President | Rev. Edward A. Reese, S.J. |
| School type | Private |
| Religious affiliation | Jesuit |
| Founded | 1928 |
| Location | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Enrollment | over 1,200 male students |
| Faculty | 124 |
| Campus surroundings | Urban |
| Mascot | Broncos |
Brophy College Preparatory, is a Jesuit high school located in Phoenix, Arizona. The school is all-male, enrolling 1,200 students who come from over 120 feeder schools. The academy is generally regarded as the most prestigious secondary institution in Arizona and one of the most prominent on the west coast, historically putting out more national merit finalists and semi-finalists than any other school in Arizona. Ninety-nine percent of Brophy's graduates attend four-year universities.
The school has three campuses: the main campus in north-central Phoenix, a retreat campus near Sedona, and a sports campus in east Phoenix. Brophy is entirely self-sufficient, with no diocesan or government financial assistance.
The school was founded in 1928 as an all-male college and high school by Mrs. William Henry Brophy. Although the state was enthusiastic about a Jesuit institution in Arizona, a year later the Great Depression began and the school struggled financially. In 1935, after an exhausting seven years, the school finally closed. In the early 1950s, an agreement was reached between the Jesuits and the Diocese of Tucson (which had since obtained the campus) to return much of the original land to the Jesuits and reopen Brophy. In 1952, the doors were opened once again to high school students, although Brophy would never again offer college classes. The school has maintained its traditional policy of only admitting males.
Academics at the school are exceptional. Honors and Advanced Placement sections exist in each of the curricular disciplines. Brophy strives to provide levels of acceleration and challenge in all sections of required courses and in the elective program. Brophy offers 22 Advanced Placement subjects. Brophy's average SAT is 1875. Due to Brophy's clout, admissions are selective and are based on grades, an entrance exam, essays, and a required interview. Students may also take classes from Xavier College Preparatory, the all-girls high school that is right next door to Brophy. Brophy students consistently attend the top universities in the nation. In recent years many students have attended Georgetown University, Stanford, Yale, Harvard, Princeton University, MIT, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, University of Southern California, Columbia University, UC-Berkeley, UCLA, Rice University, Duke University, Vanderbilt University, Boston College, Northwestern University, NYU, Pomona College, & Claremont McKenna College.
The school's athletics are also noteworthy and compete in the highest division in Arizona. The swim team is often considered one of the best in the nation, winning 26 out of the last 27 state titles, and has produced several Olympic medalists. The 2004-05 Brophy swim team won the National High School Championship. Brophy also has elite tennis, golf, football, and basketball programs. Brophy recently acquired a sports campus in east Phoenix (formerly the Phoenix Swim Club), which will provide an exclusive location for the school's athletes to train.
In response to the aging facilities at the main campus, Brophy has recently undertaken a major overhaul/expansion campaign, undergoing projects which will cost an estimated $50 million, funded mainly by corporations and private gifts from alumni. The plan also calls for the renovation of the recently acquired sports campus.
Famous Alumni/Former Students
- Robert B. Wallace (1968)- Former Rolling Stone executive editor, ABC News Senior Producer, and St. Martin's Press chief
- Stephen J. Pyne (1967)- Natural historian and MacArthur "genius award" recipient. He has also received a Fulbright Fellowship and two National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowships.
- Richard Mahoney (1969)- Political scientist and writer
- Michael Collier (1968)- Science writer and photographer
- Robert H. Miller (1968)- Nature/travel writer
- Keith Blanchard (1984)- Maxim Magazine Editor-in-Chief
- Edward "Joe" Schoen- Chairman and president of Amerco (parent of U-Haul, Inc.)
- Mark Schoen- President of U-Haul
- Richard Mahoney (1969)- Former Arizona Secretary of State
- Chris Cummiskey (1983)- Arizona legislator and government official
- John S. McCain IV (2004)- Son of U.S. Senator John McCain
- Mark Alarie(1982)- Former Duke University and National Basketball Association star
- Bob Kohrs (1972)- Former linebacker and defensive for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- John Simons (1979) - Olympic swimmer
- Ted Purdy (1992)- Professioanl golfer
- Scott Garlick (1990)- Professional soccer player
- Gary Hall Jr. (1994)- Olympic swimmer
- Klete Keller- Attended the school but transferred
Links
"Brophy Stampede" (Online Student News Publication)