Xavier
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“ Why Xavier? In my opinion it is the greatest high school one can come to. There is just some vibe about it. It’s almost something you can’t explain. People want to get involved. It’s challenging so you know any education here is going to be earned, not just handed out.” — Vincent Martello ’12
Xavier Mission Founded in 1847, Xavier High School is an academically rigorous, Catholic, Jesuit, college preparatory school in New York City that educates intelligent, motivated young men of diverse backgrounds and means. Xavier teaches students to take responsibility for their lives, to lead with integrity, to act justly in service of others, to pursue excellence in every endeavor and to deepen their relationship with God. Ultimately, Xavier forms young men who will go forth to transform the world for God’s greater glory.
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Xavier is grounded in Jesuit tradition
“Xavier said they’d make us into better men and I can feel that already happening.” — William “Tre” Solomon ’14 at the end of freshman year
Xavier is grounded in Jesuit tradition Xavier has a storied history of providing academic excellence and preparing graduates for a lifetime of leadership, service and success. As a Jesuit college preparatory school we educate and guide our students under the core principle of Cura Personalis. Teachers, administrators, coaches and staff all model what it means to be critical thinkers and how to be good men. We educate the whole student — mind, body and spirit — with the intention of developing a new generation of leaders who are capable of shaping the future with vision, justice and concern for others. The transformation that takes place in four years is quite remarkable. Boys enter 16th Street with so much to learn. They exit the doors of St. Patrick’s Cathedral at graduation as men of competence, conscience and compassion.
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Xavier is academically distinguished Xavier’s curriculum is one that encourages students to be active participants and to take responsibility for their own intellectual development. Our teachers meet students on their academic journeys and lead them to new ground. After four years at Xavier, our students have developed their intellectual curiosity and academic aptitude and are prepared for success in college and beyond.
Technology is an integral part of a Xavier education. Smart classrooms and the integration of online discussion forums, blogs and websites extend learning and make faculty even more accessible to students. Additionally, an iMac computer lab with more than 80 stations available for student use accommodates a movie making and editing class. Xavier recently adopted a BYOT — Bring Your Own Technology — initiative in which students can use their own laptops, iPads, and other tablet devices in our classrooms and other designated areas on campus.
Course offerings and electives English • English I–IV • AP English Language and Composition • AP English Literature and Composition • Creative Writing
• U.S. History • Modern U.S. & World History • AP U.S. History • AP European History • AP World History • AP Comparative Government and Politics
Modern and Classical Languages • Arabic I • French I–IV • Italian I–IV, AP Italian • Latin I–IV • Spanish I–IV, AP Spanish • The Classical Influence & English
Religion • Religion I–IV • Foundations of Christian Thought • Packing for College: Ignatian Perspectives • World Religions
History • Constitutional Law & Criminal Justice • Global Studies I & II
Mathematics • Algebra • Algebra II/Trigonometry • Geometry • College Algebra
• Introduction to Calculus • Calculus • AP Statistics • AP Calculus AB & BC Science and Technology • Biology • Chemistry • Physics • Human Physiology • AP Biology • AP Physics • Advanced Computer Applications • Web Programming & Design • Moviemaking & Editing —Final Cut Pro • Robotics Military Science • Military Science I–IV
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“The more a subject interest me, the more in-depth I’m allowed to go. Xavier gives us the freedom to explore our curiosities and desires, allowing us to find a focus of study even before we go to college.” — Christian Doyle ’14
Xavier is investigative science In every grade and scientific discipline, Xavier students are deeply engaged in scientific inquiry. The school recently opened state-of-theart science laboratories that occupy two floors of the Kane Building. Equipped with the latest scientific equipment and technology, eight laboratory classrooms make extended periods for experimentation and detailed scientific investigations possible. Whether it is freshman physics course that involves testing the most effective means to complete an electric circuit board or the advanced study of human physiology, Xavier students are engaged in real science. This means they have the freedom and responsibility to test scientific hypotheses, draw conclusions and make discoveries.
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“I feel I’m accomplishing a lot here at Xavier, and I believe in staying busy, because if you blink you might miss something. That’s why I stay involved and why I founded the architectural club.” — Braham Berg ’13
Xavier is a artistically inclined Students who have a keen interest in the arts can showcase their talents to the student body and beyond. The art curriculum offers
Fine Arts Course Offerings • Band I-IV • Introduction to Music • Social Issues & Artistic Expression • Vocal Music • Music Theory III & IV • The Elements of Cinema • Art I–III • AP Studio Art • Cartooning & Illustration • Art for the Non-Artist • Photoshop 101 • Foundations of Acting
a range of classes from Introduction to Art to advanced coursework where students create competitive portfolios for college admission. Xavier’s Blue Night Band is a jazz ensemble that regularly performs at school events as well as venues in New York, and travels once a year to such places as Washington D.C., New Orleans, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. In-school recording and editing technology also makes it possible for student-musicians to record and distribute music. Aspiring writers produce the annual literary magazine, Lexicon, while enrolled in the senior creative writing elective. The Acoustic Coffeehouse, held regularly throughout the school year, is where you’ll hear your physics teacher freestyle to Eminem or your classmate crush the guitar solo in “Freebird.” Truly experiences not to be missed.
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Xavier is in the heart of New York City Xavier is located in Chelsea, one of the most dynamic neighborhoods in Manhattan. Our students come from all five boroughs of New York and beyond. They represent different cultures, faiths and ethnicities and have diverse interests, skills and abilities, yet what unites them all as Sons of Xavier is the feeling of being part of something larger than themselves.
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“I discovered myself on 16th Street. Coming to Xavier got me out of the cocoon of my neighborhood and allowed me to grow beyond what I was used to.” —Matthiew Conan ’14
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Xavier is well traveled A Xavier education presents so many opportunities for growth. Our students come from every borough in New York which makes them part of a diverse community. Summer service trips, known as CFX, are at the heart of the school’s Ignatian identity and are life-changing
CFX Xavier students, faculty and administrators perform meaningful service in Maryland (freshmen), Tennessee (sophomores), Mexico (juniors) and Alabama (seniors) as part of the Summer Companions of Xavier (CFX).
experiences where students learn new skills, minister to wonderful people and grow closer to God. Each spring groups of students and faculty travel to Europe and Central America in order experience other cultures firsthand and gain a more worldly perspective. Every year we travel to a new destination, but previous trips have included: Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Scotland, Denmark, Peru and Costa Rica.
Guidance Support services are in place to help each student develop his academic, emotional, spiritual and interpersonal skills. An integral part of the program is small group meeting. Freshman groups meet nearly every week to focus on adjustment to high school, sophomore and junior groups meet every other week and begin to focus on a college bound-program. During the second semester, juniors begin to meet with their college guidance counselor on a full-time basis and are advised on ACT and SAT preparation, college visits and beginning to select a possible college major and career choice. The relationship continues into senior year and college counselors meet individually with each student to help create a suitable list of colleges and advise them on applying.
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Xavier is driven by service and faith From first-year religion class to senior year service, our students learn to
Kairos Retreat Almost all juniors participate in the Kairos retreat. It is here where they will be asked to reflect on their experiences, examine their faiths and beliefs and answer the call to be “Men for Others.”
live out their faith through action, to develop and informed conscience and to use their talents and abilities to work for social justice. Through the Christian Service Program, the Summer Companions of Xavier (CFX) program and a robust Campus Ministry program, students recognize their responsibility to serve and live the Jesuit ideal to be “Men for Others.” All students take four years of religion and theology to gain firm knowledge of the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church and the religions of the world. Through coursework, as well as a liturgies and retreats where we worship and reflect as a community, students develop a deeper understanding of their faith, mission and purpose in life.
“Xavier High School advocates a strong sense of community for every student. I am so glad that I came to a school with a welcoming community that looks to create strong relationships with all of its members.” — Michael Jang ’14
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Xavier is building leadership Since 1935, the optional Junior R.O.T.C. program has instilled the values of leadership and citizenship in our students. Approximately 40 percent of students participate in the J.R.O.T.C. Encompassing four companies and five military teams, the program is overseen by retired U.S. Army officials and it is physically and mentally challenging. For many, the Regiment will be a defining experience at Xavier, one that instills the importance of integrity, respect, loyalty and courage. As a Jesuit institution that lives the values passed down from St. Ignatius of Loyola, Xavier’s school culture is one that stresses growth, responsibility and leadership. Whether it is taking charge of a regimental squadron, becoming editor of the school newspaper or simply speaking up in class, our students understand the value of initiative and grow into leaders.
Clubs and Activities • African-American Club • Ambassadors • Architecture Club • Arrupe Society • Asian-American Culture Society • Big Brothers • Book Club • Bookstore Staff • Cartooning/Illustration Club • Chess Club • Choral Group
• Classics Club • Color Guard • Dramatics Society • Eastern European Club • Engineering Club • Film Club • Food Science Club • French Club • Freshman Drama • Irish-American Society • Italian Club • Latin-American Society
• Lexicon (Literary Magazine) • Microfinance Club • Military History Club • Mock Trial • Model UN • National Honor Society • NYS Science Honor Society • Photography Club • Psychology Club • The Review (Xavier Newspaper) • Robotics Team
• Saber Squad • Science Fiction Club • Shakespeare Society • Ski & Snowboard Club • Speech & Debate • Stage Crew • Student Council • Student Events Committee • Urban Dance Club • Xavier in the City (Metropolitan Opera) • Yearbook
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“It takes desire and passion to have the life of a studentathlete because you have to want to do the school work and also be able to do a great job on the athletic field.” — Osvaldo “Tito” Ovalle ’13
Xavier is athletically charged More than 50 percent of Xavier students are involved in a freshman, junior varsity or varsity sport at least one season of the year. With 32 Knight teams spread over 15 sports some teams do not have cuts to maximize participation. Other teams are competitive and regularly achieve city, state and national recognition each year. This includes a national championship rugby team and locally ranked football, basketball, baseball, swimming and track & field teams. The Knight credo is discipline, leadership and sportsmanship. While many of our student-athletes go on to play their sport at the college level, the real pay off is that Xavier graduates apply lessons learned to nearly every aspect of their lives.
Interscholastic Sports Fall Season Sports • Baseball • Football (3 teams) • Soccer (2 teams) • Cross Country (3 Teams) • Freshman Swimming
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Year Round JROTC Sports • Raiders • Rifle Team (2 teams) • X-Squad
Intramurals
Winter Season Sports • Basketball (3 teams) • Bowling (2 teams) • Ice Hockey • Indoor Track (3 teams) • Swimming • Wrestling (2 teams)
In addition to our competitive
Spring Season Sports • Baseball (3 teams) • Golf • Rugby (4 teams) • Tennis • Outdoor Track (3 teams)
rights in touch-football,
athletics program, we are proud to offer an intramural program. During the lunch hour, student-composed teams compete for bragging basketball, floor hockey, ultimate Frisbee, dodgeball and soccer.
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Xavier Admissions Xavier High School is a college-preparatory high school for young men who see challenges as occasions for growth. Xavier students are intelligent, motivated and mature young men who belong to a community of learners mindful of responsibilities to themselves and respectful of differences among their peers. It follows that our applicants are some of the brightest and hardest-working young men in New York, typically near or at the top of their middle school class. The Admissions Committee strongly considers candidates who typically score in the top quarter on the Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools (TACHS), have above average grades and wish to strive for academic excellence in a Catholic, Jesuit, college-preparatory environment as evidenced in their Application for Admission. We also offer merit scholarships to especially accelerated applicants.
College Acceptances Adelphi Alfred American Amherst Babson Belmont Abbey Bentley Boston College Boston University Bowdoin Brandeis Brown California Polytechnic California State Canisius Carnegie Mellon Case Western Reserve Catholic U. of America The Citadel Clarkson Colby Colgate College of the Holy Cross 20
Columbia Cooper Union Cornell Creighton CUNY CUNY Honors College Dartmouth DePaul Dickinson Drew Drexel Duke Fairfield Fairleigh Dickinson Fordham George Washington Georgetown Georgia Tech Gettysburg Goucher Hamilton Harvard Hofstra Indiana
Iona Ithaca James Madison John Carroll Johns Hopkins La Salle Lafayette Lehigh Le Moyne Long Island University Loyola (Chicago) Loyola (Maryland) Loyola (New Orleans) Marist Marquette Marymount McGill Miami (OH) Michigan State Muhlenberg New York Inst. of Technology New York University
Northeastern Northwestern Notre Dame Oberlin Ohio University Ohio State Pace Parsons The New School Pennsylvania State Polytechnic University of NYU Pratt Institute Princeton University Providence Purdue Quinnipiac Regis Rensselaer Polytechnic Rochester Institute of Technology Rutgers Sacred Heart
Santa Clara Seton Hall Siena St. Bonaventure St. Francis (NY) St. John’s St. Joseph’s University St. Louis St. Mary’s College (CA) St. Peter’s Stevens Institute of Technology Stonehill SUNY (various campuses) Syracuse Trinity Trinity College, Dublin Tufts Tulane Union U.S. Air Force Academy U.S. Military Academy
U.S. Naval Academy U. of Arizona U. of California, Berkeley U. of California, L.A. U. of Arizona U. of Chicago U. of Colorado U. of Connecticut U. of Dayton U. of Delaware U. of Hartford U. of Illinois U. of Maine U. of Michigan U. of Pennsylvania Vanderbilt Vassar Villanova Xavier Yale
Xavier at a glance School Profile
Location
Enrollment: 1,050 Student/Faculty Ratio: 15:1 Average Class Size: 24
Conveniently located in Chelsea, Xavier is two blocks away from Union Square Park and easily accessible by public transportation. Composed of four distinct but interlocked buildings, Xavier offers state-of-the-art science, computer and technology laboratories, student library, two gymnasiums, fully-equipped weight room, dining hall, performing arts stage, two art studios and chapel.
Accreditation
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Brooklyn..........................................................34 percent Queens.............................................................26 percent Manhattan......................................................21 percent Staten Island..................................................10 percent Bronx................................................................... 4 percent New Jersey........................................................ 3 percent Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau Counties.................................... 2 percent
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Demographics
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Jesuit Secondary Association (JSEA) The Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York Middle States Association of Schools New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS)
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Percent of students awarded financial aid and/or scholarships: 45 percent
Financial Aid Xavier is proud of its ability to provide financial aid to many families. Through the generosity of benefactors, alumni donors and friends, Xavier is committed and able to make a Jesuit education a reality for families who express modest financial need. In previous academic years, Xavier has been able to award need-based grants from $1,700 to half-tuition to approximately 35% of students. Families must reapply for financial aid on a yearly basis. Financial aid grants may fluctuate from year to year according to family financial circumstances. Please consult Xavier’s Admissions Office website, admissions.xavierhs.org for further information on how to apply for a need-based grant.
Merit Scholarships We offer five types of merit scholarships, granted over four years, provided the student maintains a 90 cumulative average. Every year we award more than 100 merit based scholarships. These scholarship earners are automatically placed in the Ignatian Scholars program, an honors program for accelerated study. To be eligible for an academic scholarship, an applicant must be a straight-A student in middle school and score in the top 10% locally on the TACHS and top 30% on our Scholarship Exam. Contact the Admissions Office for more information about our annual Scholarship Exam. Please visit the Admissions Office’s website at http://admissions.xavierhs.org for important information regarding admission procedures, including entrance examination dates, open houses, Knight-for-a Day visits, school tours and interviews. 21
Xavier
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30 West 16th Street New York, NY 10011-6302 (212) 924-7900 Fax (212) 924-0303 www.xavierhs.org