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Saint Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

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Mottos Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam ("For the Greater Glory of God"), and Men for Others
Established 1886
Religious Affiliation Catholic
School type Private / Jesuit
President Fr. Timothy P. Kesicki, S.J.
Location Cleveland, OH, USA
School Colors Blue and Gold
Mascot Wildcats
Homepage www.ignatius.edu

Saint Ignatius High School is a private Roman Catholic Jesuit high school for 1430 young 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 (a designated Cleveland Historic Landmark), 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 Dale Gabor Track, and the Xavier Center, which currently used by the band program. In addition, a $10.2 Million State-of-the-art Performing Arts Center will replace the Xavier Center to house all Performing Arts at Ignatius. A new $3.3 million State-of-the-art Cafeteria will replace the current student center, stage, senior lounge, and cooking areas. In August 2006 the food services will open, and in August 2007 phase two will complete the project with a renovated student center. (The Saint Ignatius Magazine, Issue 1 2006).

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).

Saint Ignatius students strive to live up to the expectations set forth by the school's Graduate at Graduation (Grad at Grad) Document. The Grad at Grad Document challenges all students to be: Open to Growth, Intellectually Competent, Religious, Loving, and Committed to Doing Justice.

Saint Ignatius is the home of the Saint Benedict Joseph Labre Project, a revolutionary program in which faculty and students build relationships with the homeless through weekly visitation. The institution was the first in the country to institute mandatory service as a class called "Sophomore Service." It is also recognized to house the St. Joseph of Arimethea Pallbearers Society, which sends upperclassmen to funerals of families who are unable to provide their own pallbearers. Every Junior must make a retreat, choosing from a wide variety of options. Most regard a "Kairos" (The Lord's Time) retreat as a life-changing 4 day experience.

The school is also renowned for its very successful fine & performing arts, athletic program and its high standards of academic excellence. Each year, its graduates go on to colleges and universities all across the country, including many top competitive universities, 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.

Fine arts program

In 1990, the fine arts program expanded with the addition of the fine arts into the curriculum of the school.[citation needed] President Fr. Tim Kesicki is especially appreciative of the arts, and thus is almost at odds with the Board of Regents, the governing body of the school.[citation needed] One memember of this board was quoted to have said, in regards to a proposal for the new PAC, that "if we had [that much] money to spend on a PAC we would find a better use for it than a theater."[citation needed]

The fine arts program is growing, with an award-winning chorus (which has tripled to nearly 70 young men in the last 4 years) and newly-formed acapella singing group, directed by Raymond Guiao.[citation needed] There are many musical opportunities including Pep Band, Stage Band, Ignatius Brass, Jazz Band, Liturgical Musicians, and others. The theater program performs a fall play and spring musical, constantly to sell-out houses, directed by Art Thomas and alumnus Rich Fujimoto.[citation needed] The cirriculum includes over 15 courses, including Advanced Placement studio art, acting, and advanced drama classes. The 6th floor of the school houses a graphics lab complete with 17 top-of-the line PowerMacs.

The marching band has performed the famous Script Cats Show for nearly 20 years.{citeneeded}} Art Thomas teaches oral interpretation, along with Acting and Advanced Acting. He directs the musicals and plays, alternating with Rich Fujimoto. Jon Jarc '94 teaches web-design, Graphics I, and Advanced Graphic Design, along with A.P. Studio Art. He moderates Stage Crew. Pamela Heller teaches Drawing I, Advanced Drawing & Painting, and took over A.P. Studio Art for the 2005-2006 school year. Rich Fujimoto '66 directs the musicals and plays, alternating with Art Thomas. Pierre Davignon teaches Visual Art, Drawing I, Film Study, and moderates the Artists in Residence, as well as the Off-Centre Troupe. Joseph Buzzelli teaches Oral Interpretation, Persuasion and Propaganda, and also moderates the Forensics (Speech) teams, which have won States numerous times.[citation needed] Patricia Kyle teaches 3-D Art, as well as Clay and Sculpture. Raymond Guiao, S.J.'82 teaches Chorus and moderates the "Cat-o'-Tonics". They are second in the nation.[citation needed] He also directs the Liturical Musicians, comprising of singers and instrumentalists for Ignatius masses.

Academic Achievements

  • In 1985 was named a National Exemplary School.
  • Students consistently receive academic recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (24 Semifinalists, 30 Commended Students in 2005)
  • The Policy Debate Team placed first in the State of Ohio in 2001, 2004, and 2006.
  • Won the Ohio Math League (OML) Competition for the State of Ohio in 2001, 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.

Alma Mater, Fight Song, and Sing We Now To You O Mary

Alma Mater

Our famed alma mater graces
Every shrine within our hearts
With her unforgotten faces
And the faith that she imparts.
Years in passing cannot sever
Ties of new days from the old.
We're Ignatius men forever
As we hail the blue and gold.

Fight Song

On! Ignatius with your gold and blue,
You're the best team that we ever knew;
You've got what it takes to win this game,
Honor to your name! RAH! RAH! RAH!
Fight, you Wildcats of Ignatius High!
(Opponent)'s team can bid this game good-bye;
On the old beam now, you blue and gold team now,
And fight to victory!

Sing We Now To You O Mary

A song written in 1999 for the dedication of the Saint Mary of The Assumption Chapel Composed by Raymond Guiao SJ, '82

Sing we now to you O Mary Mother of the Incarnate Word, You whose yes gave us God’s very son the Savoir of the World, Holy Mary Virgin Mother place us with Your Son that we, Sons of this famed Alma Mater Ever Men for Others be.

You who bore and raised our Savior You, who gave him life and love, You who knew God’s tender favor You who trusted God’s own Love, Holy Mary Virgin Mother place us with Your Son that we, Sons of this famed Alma Mater Ever Men for Others be.

Sing we know to you O Mary you who pain and sorrow bore, In those darkest hours on Calvary heart so pierced as none before, Holy Mary Virgin Mother place us with Your Son that we, Sons of this famed Alma Mater Ever Men for Others be.

Our famed alma mater graces Every shrine within our hearts With her unforgotten faces And the faith that she imparts. Years in passing cannot sever Ties of new days from the old. We're Ignatius men forever As we hail the blue and gold.

You who saw the risen Savior on that Joyful Easter morn, And on Pentecost did Savior Tongues of Fire the Spirit born, Holy Mary Virgin Mother place us with Your Son that we, Sons of this famed Alma Mater Ever Men for Others be.

Notable alumni

Notable alumni of Saint Ignatius High School include:

Ohio High School Athletic Assosciation Division I State Championships

Other Athletic Achievements

  • Crew - Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championship - 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 (National Championship - Men's Junior 4+ 2004)

Other Achievements

  • Ohio High School Speech League State Champions in Policy Debate 2001, 2004, 2006
  • National Championship of High School A Cappella 2006 State Champions and Midwest Champions-- "Cat-o'-Tonics". The "Cat-o'-Tonics" are the #1 high school male acapella singing group in the country, and #2 overall.
  • Award-winning choral music program (2006)
  • St. Ignatius Wildcats named “High School Team of the 90s” by Student Sport Magazine.
  • Appeared in the very first high school football game televised on ESPN.
  • Featured on the “Team Cheerios” box along with St. Xavier High School.
  • Named the #1 high school sports program in the state of Ohio and #18 in the United States by Sports Illustrated
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