A Letter from the President

Dear Salpointe Lancers, Salpointe Catholic is proud to be a Carmelite school and we honor this legacy by giving gratitude to the men and women who breathe life into our sacred mission. We would not be the school we are today without the dedication of our faculty and staff, the commitment of our boards and committees, the confidence of parents who entrust Salpointe with the education of their children, and the generosity of our donors. As we build the next chapter of Salpointe’s story, we recognize that our narrative is most powerful when Lancers come together as one community to celebrate our traditions, our faith and our vision for tomorrow.

We started the year with a most unexpected and unwelcome arson fire on July 17 that destroyed our venerable 700 English wing. Finally able to put two years of the Covid pandemic behind us, we were poised for a year of normalcy. We did not get it. Instead, we had to find a way to start school under less than perfect circumstances. We rallied, installed modular classrooms and moved forward as best we could.

After several listening sessions with faculty, staff, boards and committees, we decided to turn this adversity into opportunity. We would rebuild for the future, not the past. Working with Rick Huch and Seaver Franks Architects, who designed our Sayre Stevens Student Center and Stearns Center for the Arts, we developed a plan to construct eleven classrooms and the Center for Wellness, further defining our commitment to holistic education as we develop the whole child. Now, the plans are completed, the permits are ready and the fundraising is a success. Thanks to the generosity of many donors who believe in the mission and vision of Salpointe, we have raised $4.25M. Unfortunately, our insurance carrier since 1996, Christian Brothers Services, has not shown a willingness to provide a just and reasonable settlement. We are not able to demolish the destroyed structure and move forward with our “Rise Above” construction until we come to a resolution with the insurance company, hopefully sooner than later.

Nonetheless, Salpointe continues to lead as a high school of distinction. The school is nationally accredited by Western Catholic Education Association, internationally accredited by Cognia and our Cracchiolo Family STEM Center is nationally accredited by STEM.org. We offer college prep, honors, and 21 Advanced Placement courses as well as dual credit with the University of Arizona and Seton Hill University. Salpointe continues in our mission to educate the whole child: spiritual, intellectual, artistic, physical, emotional, social and environmental. It truly was a banner year of excellence in all areas, including Humanities, athletics, fine and performing arts and STEM. Salpointe is a Catholic school, in every class, every activity and every moment. Our shared faith guides the way we care for ourselves, each other and our world. Our Lancers live the Carmelite spirit of prayer, service and community day in and day out. They participate in countless Masses, Theology classes, Days of Recollection, Kairos retreats and they serve our community with thousands of volunteer hours. We are proud that our Lancers are steeped in our faith and that it guides their lives.

Congratulations are in order for the 291 graduates of the class of 2023. The members of this class have been accepted to over 200 colleges and universities across America and the world. In addition to Arizona’s fine universities, members of this class were offered acceptance to prestigious universities such as Fordham, NYU, Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, Marquette, Carnegie Mellon, Purdue, Penn State and Boston College, to name just a few. The members of this class earned a record $25.5M in merit academic scholarships. Forty-three students are Salpointe Scholars with grade point averages of 4.0 or higher. The strength, determination and resolve of this class are admirable. Facing unprecedented challenges coping with a pandemic during their high school adventure and facing more adversity as a result of the fire, they demonstrated tenacity, resilience and enthusiasm as they made adjustments and moved forward, embracing all of the once-in-a-lifetime signature events that mark the high school years here at Salpointe.

The Carmelite Order and Salpointe’s leadership are grateful to our highly engaged Board of Directors who guide the school to fulfill its mission. Under the able leadership of Chairman Pat P. Lopez, Jr.,’74, the members of the Board of Directors, the Academic, Advancement, Athletic, Facilities, Finance, Governance, Investment and Strategic Planning committees provide invaluable oversight to all areas of the school.

Finally, we extend gratitude to the Salpointe Catholic Education Foundation board, led this year by Dr. Kevin Boesen, and the Salpointe Parent Association board, led by Virkine Valenzuela Weitman ’90, for serving the needs of the Lancers. The SCEF works to maintain excellence in education and SPA builds community by hosting welcoming events for our Lancer students, parents, past parents and alumni. We are grateful for their unfailing support!

It is always a great day to be a Lancer and we invite you to join in our pride! You, our Lancer family, are an integral part of Salpointe’s past, present and future.

Gratefully,

Kay Sullivan, President