Pope John Paul II High School Viewbook

v ie w book

pope john paul ii high school

Be not afraid to seek the splendor of truth and to live the gospel of life.

WELCOME Pope John Paul II High School is a Catholic college preparatory high school located on a pristine 83-acre campus in Royersford, Pennsylvania.

What may separate PJP from other private and public high schools is our ability to intentionally engage students in academics, athletics, and the arts in a faith-based environment.

Dedicated to seeing each student develop into their best self, PJP strives to educate the whole person. In a rigorous academic environment, we celebrate our students’ curiosity, creativity, and passion for learning. A PJP graduate is well-prepared for their next educational journey, standing ready to make a difference in the world.

Please reach out to either of us at vcazzetta@pjphs.org or kguyger@pjphs.org to speak in more detail about your child joining the PJP Community.

Sincerely,

Vincent Cazzetta Kathleen Guyger President Principal

1

Who We Are VISION In a God-centered environment, we cultivate the intrinsic talents of each student and encourage each to become a lifelong learner who possesses the spiritual, personal, and intellectual skills necessary for navigating life’s challenges.

MISSION Pope John Paul II High School assists in the formation of Catholic students to be full and practicing members of the Church while simultaneously recognizing and respecting the cultural diversity of our student body. We are a center of academic excellence rigorously preparing students to be contributing members of the global community with the ultimate goal of eternity in Heaven.

legacy Pope John Paul II High School (PJP) has a very strong foundation built on the vibrant Catholic education that took place at St. Matthew, St. Patrick, St. Pius X, Bishop Kenrick, Archbishop Kennedy, and Kennedy Kenrick High Schools. This rich history allows PJP to be a leader among Catholic college preparatory high schools within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

FACULTY LEADERSHIP, INSPIRATION, AND SERVICE

dedicated PJP Teachers offer a wealth of knowledge and skills to enrich our school family.

Did you know...

PJP has a student to faculty ratio of 1:18?

Catholic education is to communicate Christ...so that your attitude toward others will be that of christ

ACADEMICS A NURTURING COMMUNITY FOR AN EVER-CHANGING WORLD

Pope John Paul II High School offers each of its students a rigorous, college preparatory, Catholic educational experience that prepares them for a lifetime of success and contribution in an ever-changing world. While attending PJP, students have the opportunity to participate in Advanced Placement, Honors, and College Preparatory level courses.

Opportunities to expand upon academic interests beyond our standard curriculum exist through a partnership with the Arrupe Virtual Learning Institute. Advanced students can also benefit from Dual Enrollment opportunities with partner colleges and universities.

PJP students are encouraged to discover their academic strength, realize opportunities for academic growth, and strive for personal success. Our rigorous and well-rounded education occurs in a nurturing community where students work side by side with faculty who encourage them to reach their highest potential.

The pjp curriculum is geared to fit every student’s interests Courses offered at pjp consist of 5 Theology courses 9 English courses 9 Mathematics courses 13 Science courses 10 Social Studies courses 11 World Language courses 9 Business and Technology courses 17 FIne Art and Performing Art courses 5 Health courses Students in 11th and 12th grades are eligible to be considered for Dual Enrollment Programs. These programs offer students an opportunity to enroll in college level courses that will be relfected on the PJP transcript and may be transferable.

PJP also offers Honors and AP courses. Each student’s academic performance is carefully analyzed to determine the appropriate program for the individual. It is possible for a student to be enrolled in courses from multiple programs depending on their abilities in varied disciplines.

Our goal is to challenge our students and encourage them to strive for excellence and work toward fulfilling their potential.

In the past five years, seven students have been named National Merit Finalists and 17 students have received National Merit Commendation.

In 2020, 75% of PJP students enrolled in AP classes and scored a 3 or better on their AP Exam enabling them to receive college credit.

Since 2015, 203 students have been recognized by the College Board as AP Scholars at the following levels: • AP Scholar: 107 • AP Scholar with Honor: 45 • AP Scholar with Distinction: 47 • National AP Scholar: 4

student life

extracurricular activities at pjp create invaluable opportunities for student learning, growth, and development.

The desire to see each and every student develop into their best self is not just a catchphrase at PJP, but a way of life. PJP is as alive after 2:29 PM each school day with the ringing of the dismissal bell as it is between 7:50 AM and 2:29 PM when school is in session. Between varsity, junior varsity, and freshman sports teams, more than forty clubs and organizations, and a performing arts program that is second to none, student life at PJP is vibrant and inclusive.

In a recent survey of PJP Freshmen 86% of PJP Freshmen indicated that they are enjoying or very much enjoying PJP.

96% of PJP Freshmen indicated they have made friends with students they did not know prior to PJP. When asked to provide a word that best describes their PJP experience, the overwhelming word was

welcoming.

Explore your interests, Discover something new. current Clubs and Organizations Academic and Leadership National

Honors Society Student

Ambassadors Student

Council

Academic Competition Investment

Challenge

at St. Joseph’s

University Mathletes Quiz Bowl Reading

Olympics Robotics Speech and

Debate

Publications Cornerstone

(Yearbook) Lo Splendore

(Newspaper) Palladium

(Literary

Magazine)

Performance Band Chorus Jazz Band Orchestra String

Ensemble Pep Band Concert Band Percussion

Ensemble Rhapsodies Studio 38 Stage and Tech

Crew

Service and Ministry

Community Service Corps Fantastic Friends Liturgical Music Ministry Team PANTHERON Respect Life Club Youth and Philanthropy

Speical Interests 3D Printing Archery Art Astronomy Badminton Coffeehouse Environmental

and Garden Games Harry Potter Inklings:

Tolkien Fans International Love Thy

Neighbor Photography PJPTV Prom

and Dance

Committees PSPN Superhero WW II

Remembrance

Society

a catholic school inspired by spiritual life

The PJP KAIROS Program The advancement of every PJP student’s spiritual life is at the heart of the Pope John Paul II High School’s mission.

Pope John Paul II High School strives to educate the whole person. The office of Student Affairs oversees and coordinates the educational experience outside of the classroom through activities, clubs, teams, and organizations. Every student is given the opportunity to develop intellectually, spiritually, morally, physically, emotionally, and socially. Every student is encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities in search of their God-given talents and interests.

Our students are given the opportunity to express and live their faith through daily and school-wide celebrations of the Sacraments: specifically, the Eucharist and Reconciliation.

The prayer life of each student is cultivated daily; each class period and activity begins with prayer.

Each of our students has the opportunity to further develop their relationship with God through the spiritual life provided at PJP.

Kairos is a Greek word that means “the right time” or in theology, “the appointed time in the purpose of God.” The Kairos retreat employs some of the principles of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556), a priest and mystic who founded the Society of Jesus.

This retreat, an Archdiocesan initiative, has been specifically adapted for high school students as a four-day, three-night experience that offers seniors an opportunity to grow in knowledge of and relationship with God, others, and themselves.

It is an occasion to grow in awareness that each person is created in the image and likeness of God and to come to recognize God’s presence in all things.

“Growing up, my faith felt like simply going through the motions. After going to Kairos, I saw God and my faith life in a whole new light. I now work every day to talk to God and strengthen our relationship.”

- Student Participant

Our dedicated coaching staff works to create an environment of success both athletically and academically.

This is evidenced by our average student athlete GPA of 3.5, as well as consistent performance at the conference, district, and state levels.

PJP Athletics provides abundant opportunities for all students to participate at the intramural, club, Freshmen, JV, or Varsity level. Being involved in the athletic community at PJP is an exciting experience for our teams and fans alike.

Many of the varsity sports at PJP have JV and Freshmen teams.

ATHLETICS

developing good sportsmanship and responsibility

with Athletics at pjp, the numbers are in your favor 58 Percent of PJP students participate in athletics 2 individual state 1 team championship championships

(baseball)

17 individual district

14 team district

championships

championships

4 district championships 6 volleyball in 2019-2020

championships in the last seven years

21 Varsity level sports offered AT PJP Baseball

Field Hockey

Swimming

Boys Basketball

Golf

Boys Tennis

Girls Basketball

Boys Lacrosse

Girls Tennis

Cheerleading

Girls Lacrosse

Boys Track

Boys Cross Country

Boys Soccer

Girls Track

Girls Cross Country

Girls Soccer

Girls Volleyball

Football

Softball

Wrestling

ARTS FINDING YOUR TALENT

The Arts at PJP are so much more than honing a craft.

The confidence our students gain from taking Introduction to Fine Arts, Graphic Design or Studio Arts, performing on stage, or discovering a hidden talent is something that they will carry throughout their lives. With the encouragement of our supportive faculty and staff, PJP makes it possible for actors, singers, painters, sculptors, fashion designers, lighting technicians, stagehands, and musicians to not just discover their passions, but to cultivate those talents into skills they can share with their community. In just ten years, PJP graduates who participated in the fine and performing arts have gone on to become a Philadelphian Actor, a Nashville Recording Artist, an Art Coordinator for Forged in Fire on the History Channel, an Assistant Editor for Netflix, and more.

pjp Supports INVESTING IN YOUR STUDENT’S FUTURE together

A PJP education is an investment in your student’s personal development in mind, body, spirit, and community. The growth that takes place at PJP will serve them well in college and beyond. PJP recognizes the financial commitment families make when choosing PJP, and is dedicated to working with you through this process by offering financial aid and scholarships.

Financial Aid is provided on the basis of financial need. The amount of financial aid offered by PJP depends on your family’s financial circumstances, the school’s available financial aid funds, and school policy. All financial need-based awards will be contingent on the reception of the most recent tax return. Families must reapply yearly for financial aid.

In order to be eligible for financial aid, families must complete an application through FACTS Grant and Aid. FACTS Grant and Aid conducts the financial need analyses for Pope John Paul II High School for the upcoming school year. In addition to completing the FACTS application, families must submit a copy of the most recent tax return and any additional supporting documentation to FACTS Grant and Aid. If you have questions or concerns about the FACTS application process, you may speak with a FACTS Customer Care Representative at 866-441-4637.

APPLY NOW: Parents can apply for financial aid now for the 2021-2022 school year. Applications are made through FACTS https://online.factsmgt.com/Signin.aspx Academic Scholarships are offered to well-rounded students who have scored exceptionally well on the scholarship test, possess co-curricular achievement, exude leadership skills, and engage in service that impacts the world today, tomorrow, and forever. The PJP scholarship test is typically offered in October.

Additional scholarships are available through the Archdiocese website. https://aopcatholicschools.org/financial-aid/

Did you know... among the seventeen Catholic high schools in the

For more information about PJP’s financial aid process,

Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Pope John Paul II

please contact Lisa Gaynor at (484)975-6500 ext.3066 or at

High School ranks second in the amount of college

lgaynor@pjphs.org.

scholarships dollars awarded with 44 million dollars being awarded to PJP students?

RECENT COLLEGE MATRICULATIONS Albright College

Thomas Jefferson University

Syracuse University

Benington College

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Temple University

Bucknell University

Lafayette College

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Cabrini University

Lehigh University

University of Alabama

Carnegie Mellon University

Loyola University Maryland

University of California

Catholic University of America

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

University of Connecticut

Clemson University

Mount St. Mary’s University

University of Delaware

College of Charleston

Neumann University

University of Illinois

Colorado State University

New York University

University of Maine

Cornell University

Pennsylvania State University

University of Maryland

Dickinson University

Oberlin College

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Drexel University

Pepperdine University

University of Notre Dame

Elizabethtown College

Princeton University

University of Pittsburgh

Fashion Institute of Technology

Purdue University

University of Rhode Island

Florida Atlantic University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

University of Scranton

Fordham University

Saint Francis University

University of South Florida

Georgia State University

Saint Joseph’s University

Ursinus College

Georgia Institute of Technology

Santa Clara University

Villanova University

Gwynedd Mercy University

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Wake Forest University

Immaculata University

Stockton University

West Chester University

Ithaca College

SUNY College of Technology

William and Mary

James Madison University

Susquehanna University

Woodbury University

A heritage from years gone by will guide us to success.

be a Golden Panther “APPLYING” YOURSELF AT PJP! 8th Grade Application Process When you are ready to apply, go to the Admissions section on www.pjphs.org to get started. Prior to acceptance to PJP, we will need: • Completed online application • Scores from standardized tests • 7th and 8th grade report cards (Acceptances will be based on 7th grade report cards and contingent on the student completing their 8th grade year in good standing.)

Transfer Application Process Students are always invited to transfer to PJP. Prior to acceptance to PJP, we will need: • Completed online application • High school transcripts

Pope John Paul II High School 181 Rittenhouse Road Royersford, PA 19468 www.pjphs.org

some pictures taken pre COVID-19