St. Peter's Boys High School

Saint Peter's Boys High School

Signum Fidei
Sign of Faith
Address
200 Clinton Avenue
New York City (West New Brighton, Staten Island), New York 10301
United States
Coordinates 40°38′21″N 74°5′57″W / 40.63917°N 74.09917°W / 40.63917; -74.09917Coordinates: 40°38′21″N 74°5′57″W / 40.63917°N 74.09917°W / 40.63917; -74.09917
Information
Type Private, All-Male
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established 1917
President Br. James Kelly
Principal John Fodera
Faculty 60
Grades 9-12
Enrollment 636
Color(s) Blue and Gold         
Fight song Here's To The Eagles
Athletics 21 Interscholastic Teams
Athletics conference Catholic High School Athletic Association
Team name Eagles
Accreditation Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools[1]
Newspaper The Eagle
Athletic Director Patricia Mulligan
Website www.stpetersboyshs.org

St. Peter's Boys' High School is a Catholic all-boys high school located in the New Brighton area of Staten Island in New York City. St. Peter's is affiliated with the Christian Brothers of St. John Baptist de la Salle, and is a member of the CHSAA. The school is located at 200 Clinton Avenue and is part of St. Peter's parish on Staten Island, which also ran a grammar school and all-girls high school.

History

Origins

The origins of St. Peter's Boys' High School can be traced back to 1839, with the dedication of St. Peter's parish. With the arrival of three Christian Brothers in 1917, the school was founded on Richmond Terrace in the New Brighton area of Staten Island. Father Joseph Farrell and other local clergy took over operation of the school in 1920 when the Brothers were withdrawn due to World War I. The Brothers would return ten years later in 1930. At this time, there were more Brothers at the school than ever before. In 1937, the main campus of St. Peter's Boys' HS, was designated as a junior college of Manhattan College, another Lasallian institution. By 1943, the junior college closed and St. Peter's Boys High School relocated to that campus. The main campus of St. Peter's Boys High School has remained there since, on the corner of Clinton and Henderson Avenues. The Brothers' House, home to the Christian Brothers that live and teach at St. Peter's, is also found on this campus.

As recently as the early 1960s, two Christian Brothers also taught seventh and eight grades for boys at what was St. Peter's Girls HS at 300 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island.

The institution maintains an active alumni community, including the St. Peter's High School Glee Club and Seton Chorale Alumni who organize an annual scholarship benefit Christmas concert for their late instructor, Carl Lesch.[2][3]

The modern era

In 1965, the Archdiocese of New York agreed to assist in the funding of a new gymnasium, which would also serve as the school's auditorium. By 1969, however, St. Peter's livelihood was threatened and the school's closing was imminent. The community rallied around St. Peter's and local support prevented the school from closing. As of 2001, the school's enrollment was 740 students. The Brothers' involvement in the school has been in decline due to a continual decrease in men entering the De La Sallian society. In 2001, eight Brothers taught at the school along with two Sisters of St. Joseph and 31 lay faculty members. In 2009, the varsity football team won the CHSAA single A championship 41-0 against the Bishop Ford Falcons.[4] In 1989, senior Sal Kader and junior John Schwall won the NYC CHSAA wrestling individual championships at 177 and 119 pounds respectively. Kader also placed second overall in the NYS CHSAA state championship. In 1990, senior Patrick Hayes became the first St. Peter's grappler to win both championships and went on to wrestle in the overall NYS all-around championships.

Project 2000

Under the presidency of Brother James Kelly, FSC and Principal John A. Fodera, the school embarked on an ambitious project that would allow the school to continue to grow academically and become a powerhouse among Catholic high schools in New York City. The project included the renovation of the school's main building. As part of the renovation, administrative offices expanded, the library was enhanced, a state-of-the-art computer lab was added, as well as completely updated and modernized Biology and Chemistry Laboratories. Project 2000 also included the construction of a wrestling room and air conditioning in designated areas of the building. Soon after the completion of Project 2000, renovations were made to the cafeteria and new lockers were installed. As a continuation of Project 2000, the school went forth with plans to build an athletic facility that would be home to the school's football and track teams.

As the school's reputation within the community has increased, so has the student population and the number of applicants. The small size of the school means that only a limited number of students are presented with the opportunity to pursue academic studies and athletic achievement there.

Academics

St. Peter's is a fully accredited member of the New York State Board of Regents. The school is also operated by the Christian Brothers of St. John Baptist de la Salle, an order of Christian Brothers whose mission is to teach. Over 14,000 men are members of the Brothers and the society has a rich history that extends over three hundred years. St. Peter's is one of 17 schools in New York and New Jersey that belong to the Brothers. St. Peter's is also a member of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Curriculum

All students enrolled at St. Peter's are expected to complete a rigorous academic program that includes four courses within the Religion Department, four courses within the English Department, four courses within the History Department, three within the Math Department, two courses in the sciences, three language courses, as well as an Art & Music course, a Health course, four years of physical education, and usually three elective courses. On top of this course load, all Scholars students are required to complete at least two years of Latin.

Notable alumni

Notable faculty

Notes and references

  1. ↑ MSA-CSS. "MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools". Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  2. ↑ http://www.petersalumniremembercarl.com/-_show_details St. Peter's Glee Club & Seton Chorale Alumni Christmas Concert
  3. ↑ http://www.silive.com/entertainment/arts/index.ssf/2010/12/a_real-life_glee_club_reunion.html A real-life 'Glee' club reunion on Staten Island
  4. ↑ http://nychsfl.org/
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