2020-2021 De Smet Jesuit Admission Viewbook

SPECIALIZING IN THE FORMATION OF WELL-ROUNDED YOUNG MEN

FIND YOUR FIT You want high school to be the right fit. We do, too.

Our students come from private schools, homeschooling, and public schools. They come to us from 60 different zip codes across St. Louis. Some students come with friends they already know; many students come not knowing anyone. That changes quickly.

Our two-day Odyssey program helps young men meet new friends immediately as they complete fun team challenges. Once classes begin, students start every day in homeroom, with the same teacher and classmates for four years. As the school year progresses, our teachers, counselors, and coaches prioritize getting to know our students well.

Everyone needs to feel a sense of belonging at school.

We are here to welcome each student with open arms.

DE SMET JESUIT IS A PRIVATE, CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOR BOYS IN GRADES 9–12.

OUR MISSION De Smet Jesuit inspires and prepares men for and with others to transform the world, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, for the greater glory of God.

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Before freshmen even start the school year they begin to lean on each other.

Our students are known for being well-rounded — in part thanks to our appreciation for the classic and the contemporary. Our curriculum ranges from Latin to robotics and from theology to digital storytelling.

Our students support each other on the athletic fields, in the theater, and throughout the school.

FIND YOUR BALANCE DESMET.ORG

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FIND YOUR VOICE In my freshman year I was 10 inches shorter and 40 pounds less than I am right now. So it shouldn’t have been much of a surprise when I didn’t make the basketball team.That was a low for me. But in that moment, I experienced the aspects of De Smet that make it the amazing place that it is. My acting and improv teacher, Mr.Welling, suggested I audition for the winter musical. It was that redirection within a moment of rejection that allowed MR. CHRISTOPHER me WELLING to become a part of what I think is one of the coolest programs within this school. De Smet Jesuit is a place that acknowledges and embraces hardship. De Smet Jesuit is a place where you will learn to be successful.

SEAN GERTY ’19

Art Club Asia Club Baseball Billiards Club Black Student Union Board Game Club Book/English Club Bowling Club Burger Club 5

Campus Ministry Chess Club Choir Performers Christian Life Community Coffee Club Compañeros (Senior Mentors) Concert Band

Cross Country De Smet in Prayer Engineering Club Environmental Club Film Appreciation Football Golf History Club Hockey

Ignatian Business Leaders Ignatian Honors Seminar Improv Club Inline Hockey Intramurals Jazz Band (Honors) Junior Classical League Kiva Club Lacrosse

Literary Magazine Math Club Medical Club Mock Trial Model UN Multicultural Awareness Club National Honor Chinese Society

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An all-boy environment and a seriously dedicated faculty help teenage boys feel comfortable to try new things and grow with confidence. De Smet Jesuit offers 50+ clubs and 19 sports for students to enjoy.

Students grow stronger in their friendships and talents with easy access to the weight room, Innovation Center, and Emerson Lobby before and after school.

FIND YOUR STRENGTH National Honor Society National Spanish Honor Society Newspaper (The Mirror) One Act Plays Outdoor Paintball Pep Band Photography Club

Ping Pong Power Lifting Club President’s Ambassadors Racquetball Robotics (DURT) Rock Appreciation Club Rugby Scholar Bowl Soccer

Social Justice Club Spanish Club Spartan Sound Spartans for Heroes Sports and Spirit Student Government Super Smash Bros.

Swimming and Diving Table Tennis

Tech Crew Livestream Tennis Theater Track and Field Ultimate Frisbee Video Production Club Vintage Gaming Club Volleyball Water Polo

Wrestling Yearbook Young Democrats Young Republicans

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FIND YOUR PURPOSE Our student-run Campus Ministry team uses peer ministry to help plan all school Liturgies, class Masses, and prayer services.

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Our service program progressively builds each year. Sophomores host the Special Olympics each spring, and our signature junioryear commitment places students with an organization where they volunteer on a weekly basis for an entire school year.

Guided by our Jesuit tradition, our program balances action and reflection, faith and reason, the worldly and the divine.

The spiritual formation of our student body is further enhanced by daily prayer, yearly class retreats, and an afternoon reflection.

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The future world can always be better, and the future is our students. I teach because I want to help shape a better future.

GENE BENDER, MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER

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FIND YOUR INSPIRATION “

The brotherhood amongst the students, the collaboration amongst the faculty, and the support of our parentalumni network are all rooted in the belief and buy-in of an intentional community — we are here to develop men for and with others for the greater glory of God. The educational result is different because the heart of the community is different.

HOWARD PLACE, THEOLOGY TEACHER, ULTIMATE FRISBEE COACH

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I teach to challenge students to go beyond what they think they are capable of achieving. Ultimately it’s about pushing a student to that moment when he realizes he doesn’t need me to learn and to support him in the failures that happen along the way.

ROB HUTCHISON, ENGLISH TEACHER, NHS MODERATOR, SOCCER COACH, LACROSSE COACH

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I work at De Smet Jesuit because I want to help lead students closer to Christ as well as provide a supportive environment for students.

KELSEY GRIMM, SPANISH TEACHER, COMPAÑEROS MODERATOR

Compassionate. Professional. And seriously dedicated to the young men at De Smet Jesuit.

Our faculty and staff serve our students with heart and wisdom.

We know boys have high standards for learning in a meaningful, active way, so we hold their attention and guide them to understanding and mastery. Our teachers remain fluid and flexible in the classroom, and our philosophy of cura personalis (care for the individual) drives genuine relationships.

More than 90% of our teachers are also coaches, club moderators, or trip leaders, making our faculty one of the top reasons families choose De Smet Jesuit, and why it feels like a home away from home.

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FIND YOUR CHALLENGE

COLLEGE PREP

BALANCED

At our academic core, we are a college prep school. More than 98% of our students go on to four-year colleges—many of them with college credit already earned while in high school—and 77% of our seniors earn at least one scholarship.

Our 8:30 a.m. start time was established for a reason.

So was our modified 8-period block schedule.

We have aligned our curriculum to teach not just the academic content, but also college readiness skills, and Spartans score an average of 25.7 on the ACT, 5 points higher than Missouri’s average. More telling than this statistic, however is that our students improve their ACT scores by an average of 5.7 points from sophomore year— more than twice the national average of 2.3.

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We want our students to be rested, healthy, and ready to enjoy the energy of a high school experience.

Students have seven classes plus a study period per semester, attending four classes per day on a rotating basis. This schedule has resulted in calmer transitions in the hallways, lowered stress levels, and enhanced quality class time.

INDIVIDUAL

GLOBAL AND INNOVATIVE

Our average class size is 20. We value meaningful relationships, and each student is assigned a Personal/ Academic Counselor, a College Counselor, and a homeroom teacher for their four years at De Smet Jesuit, ensuring consistency and connection.

We know the future work environment for our current students will demand men who can collaborate with others, incorporate technology, and adapt to an ever-changing landscape.

For course workloads, we challenge each student at his level and adapt accordingly each semester. We offer advanced honors classes, a STEM curriculum, peer tutors, and creative electives ranging from Improv Theater to 3D Printing.

On a daily basis our students work on personal tablets, organize assignments via an online course management system, and have access to our Innovation Center and classrooms equipped for modern engagement.

Programs like our Global Education Certificate and our signature four-year service plan empower students to expand their world view of global issues and impact the future for all of us.

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Every year students can pack their bags and travel across the country or around the world to serve on mission trips or to experience learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

Business students meet with alumni entrepreneurs in New York City. Model UN delegates negotiate policy with peers in Chicago. Students advocate for social justice in Washington, D.C. And Latin scholars explore their faith in Italy.

Understanding how to network successfully, value mentors, and relate with peers are life skills young men must master in today’s society. Our travel programs and extracurricular opportunities expose our students to the world.

Our campus is just the first step.

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I wasn’t sure if I could afford De Smet Jesuit, but thanks to the amazing people at De Smet and tuition assistance, what initially seemed to be out of my reach became a reality. In truth, I couldn’t afford not to send my son to De Smet.

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BETH, MOM OF A 2019 GRADUATE

DE SMET JESUIT TUITION AND FEES 2020–2021 TUITION

$18,140

GRADE-LEVEL FEES

Tablet Lease-to-Own Annual Fee

$675

Freshman Orientation Fee

$125

Locker Fee

$15

Sophomore Retreat Fee

$150

Spartan Parents Association Fee

$20

Junior Retreat Fee

$150

$18,850

Senior Final Odyssey Fee

$350

De Smet Jesuit has a new approach to tuition assistance. Visit desmet.org/admissions to download our free tuition index and learn more about how we can help you invest in your son’s education.

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FIND YOUR WAY YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS NOW. We’ve channeled some Spartan grit and creativity to design new ways for you to get to know us and visit our campus safely.

MONDAY EVENING SHADOW VISITS Designed for students in grades 7 and 8. Families and siblings are also welcome!

Meet teachers, staff members, and students. Grab dinner to go.

Come with questions and leave with Spartan swag.

HIGH SCHOOL NIGHT IN SPARTAN COUNTRY Join us for an interactive virtual high school night experience.

Hear from students and teachers and learn about the De Smet Jesuit difference.

More information is available at desmet.org/admissions.

PERSONAL TOURS If our pre-arranged events aren’t lining up with your calendar, please contact Maria Lang from our Admissions Team at 314-567-3500, ext. 1247, to arrange a tour that will work for you.

APPLY NOW AT DESMET.ORG *Students coming from Catholic schools must also submit an application to the Archdiocese of St. Louis by November 14, 2020.

De Smet Jesuit High School

@DeSmetJesuitHS

DeSmetJesuitHS

De Smet Jesuit High School 233 N. New Ballas Road St. Louis, Missouri 63141-7530 314-567-3500, ext. 1247 admissions@desmet.org