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Jesuit High School (New Orleans)

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Jesuit High School is a private, non-profit, Catholic college-preparatory high school (grades 8–12) for boys run by the USA Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus in Mid-City New Orleans, Louisiana.

Jesuit High School
Location
Map
4133 Banks Street

New Orleans
,
Louisiana
70119

United States
Coordinates29°58′23.0″N 90°6′12.5″W / 29.973056°N 90.103472°W / 29.973056; -90.103472
Information
TypePrivate, Catholic all-boys college-preparatory educational institution
MottoLatin: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
English: For the Greater Glory of God
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic (Jesuit)
Established1847; 177 years ago (1847) (as the College of the Immaculate Conception)
1911; 113 years ago (1911) (as Jesuit High School)
FounderJean Baptiste Maisonabe, SJ
PresidentRev. Fr. John Brown, SJ
ChairpersonBrian W. North '83
Director
List
  • Helen M. Swan, B.S.
    (Director of Student Affairs)
  • Ardley R. Hanemann III, ’85
    (Director of Admissions)
  • David A. Moreau, B.A.
    (Director of Athletics)
  • Mary U. Favalora, B.A.
    (Director of Guidance)
  • Daniel C. Wagner
    (Dir. of Information Technology)
  • Mike R. Prados '83
    (Director of Alumni Service Corps)
  • Matthew P. Orillion, M.A. ’98
    (Director of Student Activities)
  • Jeff Miraflor, SJ
    (Director of Campus Ministry)
  • Scott J. Delatte ’06
    (Director of Community Service)
  • Christian Bautista '00
    (Dir. of Institutional Advancememt)
  • Brittany Donnes
    (Director of Communications)
  • Michael R. Prados, M.Ed. ’83
    (Director of Alumni)
PrincipalJeremy M. Reuther ’01
Prefect of DisciplineMichael J. Armelin
ChaplainVacant
Faculty119
Grades8–12
GenderMale
Enrollment1,293 (2020–2021) [1]
Average class size25
Student to teacher ratio12:1
Hours in school day7
Campus size7 acres (28,000 m2)
Campus typeUrban
Color(s)Blue and White
   
SloganMen of Faith, Men for Others
Song"The Jesuit Alma Mater"
Fight song"Jesuit Fight Song: The Blue Jay March"
Athletics conferenceLHSAA
NOCL
SportsVarsity Sports
MascotJayson the Blue Jay
NicknameBlue Jays
RivalHoly Cross Tigers
Brother Martin Crusaders
Rummel Raiders
AccreditationSACS[2]
PublicationCalliope (literary magazine)
NewspaperThe Blue Jay
YearbookThe Annual
School fees$300 (2023–24)
Tuition$11,250 (2023–24)
Graduates235 (2022)
Websitehttp://www.jesuitnola.org

Founded in 1847 as the College of the Immaculate Conception.

Serves students of all religious faiths.

Mission and philosophy

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The mission of Jesuit High School is to develop student competence, conscience, and compassion ... to be men of faith..[3]

The Jesuit approach to education is based on tradition beginning with St. Ignatius Loyola, in 1540.[4]

It begins with focus on student and their potential; a cura personalis.

Encourages personal excellence in all aspects of life, often called magis, meaning "more" or "greater," to the rigor of intellectual exchange and the varied challenges the school poses to its students through its curriculum.[5]

History

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Founding and early history

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The College of the Immaculate Conception was founded in 1847 and opened in 1849. It was both a secondary school and college, and both were located in the Faubourg Ste. Marie of New Orleans (now the New Orleans Central Business District), a block upriver from the French Quarter, at the corner of Baronne and Common Streets. The delayed start of the school's first year came as a result of the spread of Yellow Fever,[6] and the school's founder, Jean Baptiste Maisonabe, S.J., himself fell victim to the disease. Maisonabe was succeeded by John Cambiaso, S.J., who largely responsible for the design of the Church of the Immaculate Conception.[7][8]

The Church of the Immaculate Conception remains on the original campus and plays an active role in the Jesuit High School community today.

Move to Carrollton & Banks

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In 1911, the high school and college divisions were split, and the college division relocated to St. Charles Avenue, eventually becoming Loyola University New Orleans. The high school remained on Baronne Street until 1926, when it was moved to its current location at 4133 Banks Street in Mid-City.

Since 1926, several additions have been made to the campus. In 1953 a wing was added along Palmyra Street; the addition included an auditorium, the Chapel of the North American Martyrs, a cafeteria, a library, several classrooms, and a band room. A recreation center and gym was constructed on Banks Street across from the school in 1957 and provided facilities for the athletic teams and the physical education program.

A resource center, featuring the school's library, additional classrooms, and science facilities was built in 1974. The area was upgraded again in 2001, when the Student Commons was constructed under the resource center with further renovations to the school following after Hurricane Katrina.

In 2012, John Ryan Stadium, a baseball and multi-purpose sports stadium, was constructed at 100 Blue Jay Way in Metairie, LA, marking the school's expansion into Jefferson Parish.

Recent leadership

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In recent times, Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J., (Class of 1976) served as school president and was succeeded by 1966 graduate Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. In May 2015 it was announced that Fr. Chris Fronk, S.J., on active duty as a U.S. Navy chaplain, would serve as the school's 30th president, and he assumed office in November 2016.[9] In January 2020, Fr. Chris Fronk, S.J., stepped down from school president. Fr. John Brown, S.J., who is currently the school's president, took over the role in 2020,[10] becoming the school's 31st president.

The principal is Peter Kernion (Class of 1990).

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The mascot is a blue jay posed with his fists raised, designed by cartoonist Walt Kelly of Pogo fame. A contest among students was held to name the mascot in 1954,[11] and the name "Jayson" won.

The school's colors are blue and white to honor the Virgin Mary. Student athletes wore a white sweater with a blue letter "J" on it and were referred to as the "Blue Js"—hence the eventual selection of the mascot. As with many Jesuit schools, the school's motto is Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam ("For the Greater Glory of God").

 
The front door of Jesuit High School, often referred to as the Mary Doors, as seen from Carrollton Ave.
 
Jesuit's main building seen from Carrollton Ave. and Banks St., traditionally the description of the school's location since 1926
 
Central section of Jesuit's main building seen from Carrollton Ave.

Athletics

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Jesuit athletics competes in the LHSAA.

Athletic history

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Since 1933, Jesuit has won numerous state championships in football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, and soccer. The 1946 athletic year yielded undefeated state champions in baseball, basketball, track and field, and football—all coached by G. Gernon Brown.[12][13][14] It has been said that Jesuit had "All the Tricks in '46."

In the 2004–2005 school year, Jesuit won state championships in baseball, cross country, soccer, tennis, wrestling, rugby, and swimming, and went to the state playoffs in football with an undefeated regular season. In 2012 Jesuit built Ryan stadium, a state of the art facility accommodating football, baseball, and soccer on a field covered entirely with artificial turf.[15] In 2015, Jesuit was the first prep school in the States to get a germ-zapping robot, gift of an alumnus.[16]

Baseball

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From 2007–09 Jesuit made it to the state tournament three times, and twice to the American Legion playoffs winning one championship.[17] In August 2012, Jesuit's baseball team won the American Legion World Series. Jesuit's American Legion teams also won the national championship in 1946 and 1960.[12] Jesuit won the Louisiana State High School Athletic Association Division I state championship in 2021[18] and again in 2023.[19]

Basketball

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In February 1965, Jesuit's all-white basketball team played a secret game against St. Augustine, the city's all-male, all-black high school. The Purple Knights won the game, which was the basis for the 1999 motion picture Passing Glory. That same year, Jesuit won the 1965 Louisiana High School Athletic Association state championship in Class AAA (at the time the state's highest classification) while St. Augustine won the championship of the Louisiana Interscholastic and Literary Organization, the sanctioning body for the state's black schools. In the fall of 1967, St. Augustine joined the LHSAA and became a rival for the Blue Jays in the New Orleans Catholic League through the 2010–11 school year, when the Purple Knights were reclassified Class 4A by the LHSAA. In the 2013-14 school year, the Purple Knights were reclassified back up to Class 5A by the LHSAA.

Cross-Country

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In 2005, Jesuit became the first 5A school in Louisiana history to win three state championships in a row in the sport of cross country. In 2006 they continued with an unprecedented 4th cross country state championship.

Football

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In football,[20] Jesuit High School vs. Holy Cross High School is the oldest continuous high school rivalry in Louisiana and one of the oldest continuous high school football rivalries in the United States.[21][22] The first game was played in 1922 (Jesuit won by 52–0) and the two teams have played every year since[12] (twice in 1963 and 2023: in 1963 once in regular season and another time for the state crown which Holy Cross won and in 2023 once in regular season and another time in the state playoffs which Holy Cross won) Blue Jays vs. Tigers.[23]

Jesuit has won eight football state championships in 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1953, 1960, and 2014. The Jesuit football team played for a state championship during the 2014 season against the John Curtis Patriots. It was the Blue Jays' first championship game appearance since 1978 against St. Augustine. Jesuit defeated John Curtis 17–14 to win the Division 1 state championship. Running back Charles Jackson was voted the game's most valuable player.[24]

Golf

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Jesuit won the state championship twice in the late 1990s.[25]

 
Rear view of Jesuit from corner of Banks & S. Solomon

Lacrosse

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In 2014, Jesuit New Orleans won the 2014 Allstate Sugar Bowl Lacrosse Classic, with 14 schools competing from Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama.[26] In 2021, the Lacrosse team won the Louisiana High School Lacrosse state championship[27] after completing an undefeated season.

Rugby

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In the 2007–2008 season, the rugby team won the State Championship for the sixth consecutive year with an undefeated season, only allowing 12 points while scoring over 300. Because of a conflict with the senior prom, the team was forced to play in the more difficult multi-school division at the Southern Regionals in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The team swept regionals and moved on to become 8th in the country in the multi-school division at the USA Rugby Boys High School National Championship.[28] In 2017, the Blue Jays reclaimed the State Championship, winning the title for the first time since 2011, with an overtime victory over the Bayou Hurricanes, 25–22. In 2018, the Blue Jays remained the State Champions with a victory over the Brother Martin Crusaders, 22–12.

Soccer

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In the 1998–1999 season, 2006–2007 season, 2008–2009 season, and also the 2009–2010 season, Jesuit fielded one of the best soccer teams in the nation, winning the Louisiana state title and in all four cases ending the season undefeated. This record gave the Jesuit team a #3 (1998–99), a #2 (2006–2007), a #1 (2008–2009), and a #3 (2009–2010) rank in the nation. The 2008–2009 team is considered the best high school soccer team in LHSAA history. In the three seasons from 2009–2011, the soccer team had a 94-game unbeaten streak, which is the fourth longest unbeaten streak in the country.[15] Jesuit won additional soccer state championships in 2018 and 2024.[29]

Swimming

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Jesuit swimming holds the LHSAA record for most consecutive state championships in any sport, with 18 straight. As of November 20, 2010, Jesuit Swimming has captured 36 state championships. The streak was broken in 2005 when the team, still feeling the effects of Hurricane Katrina, was only able to field 12 swimmers, yet managed to take second place, only a few points out of first. In 2006, however, the team was able to recapture the state championship.

Wrestling

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In wrestling within the state of Louisiana, Jesuit's rival Holy Cross was the perennial state champs under Br. Melchior Polowy in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Then in 1969 Jesuit hired Surachai "Sam" Harnsongkram as its new wrestling coach. In 1972 the Jesuit High School Blue Jays won the first of 18 State Championships under Coach Sam, including 11 in a row from 1988–1998. Prior to that 1972 win, Jesuit's only state championship was in 1951. And since that string-of-11 (ending in 1998) Jesuit has won 4 more state wrestling championships, with the last being in 2009. High School wrestling in Louisiana has become much more visible starting in the 1990s, resulting in other schools developing programs to challenge the "leaders". From 1999-til-2015, Jesuit has won 4 more state championships, and has been runner-up in the other years. Jesuit won the Louisiana Division I wrestling championship in 2024.[30]

Hurricane Katrina

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When the flooding following Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Jesuit High School was inundated, five feet (1.5 m) of water ruining the ground floor. When the school announced that it was closed indefinitely, many students enrolled in schools in cities where they had evacuated. The largest concentration of students attended a satellite school at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in Houston; at one point, approximately 420 displaced students attended classes at night with their own teachers and classmates.[31] In mid-October, Jesuit opened another satellite school at St. Martin's Episcopal School in Metairie in unincorporated Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, where about 500 students attended until Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, Jesuit's students and faculty returned to their own campus, becoming the first flooded school in New Orleans to reopen – albeit with an unusable first floor. The school held its annual Thanksgiving Drive for the poor living in the surrounding neighborhoods. On 23 January 2006, 1285 of the 1450 students returned to attend Jesuit for the second semester. After the Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017, Jesuit hosted students from Colegio San Ignacio in Puerto Rico.[32]

History of sexual abuse

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There have been several instances of child sexual abuse at the school.[33] The Jesuit order confirmed that at least fourteen clergy assigned to Jesuit High at some point in their careers were credibly accused of sexual abuse. The accused clergy were active from the 1950s through the 1990s, and almost all are currently deceased.[34] Several other priests and employees at the school have also been confirmed by the administration as abusers, and the school has allegedly paid large settlements to the families.[35]

Notable alumni

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In 1978, James K. Glassman in The Atlantic wrote that "Practically every white Orleanian of note went to" Jesuit.[36]

In chronological order:

Notable students (attended but did not graduate)

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Jesuit High School Profile (2021) | New Orleans, LA". Private School Review. 30 January 2024.
  2. ^ SACS-CASI. "SACS-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement". Archived from the original on 2015-09-15. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
  3. ^ "Jesuit HS New Orleans in the Dominican Republic – Courts for Kids". Courts for Kids. 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  4. ^ José Ignacio, Tellechea Idígoras (1994). Ignatius of Loyola: The Pilgrim Saint. Chicago: Loyola University Press. p. 45. ISBN 0-8294-0779-0.
  5. ^ "About Jesuit High School".
  6. ^ Patterson, KD (1992). "Yellow fever epidemics and mortality in the United States, 1693–1905". Social Science & Medicine. 34 (8): 855–865. doi:10.1016/0277-9536(92)90255-O. PMID 1604377.
  7. ^ "The History of the Jesuits in New Orleans".
  8. ^ Immaculate Conception Church, New Orleans, LA. Neworleanschurches.com. Retrieved on 2011-05-28.
  9. ^ ""Jesuit Names Fr. Christopher Fronk as New President"".
  10. ^ writer, CHAD CALDER | Staff (28 September 2020). "Jesuit High School taps interim president, John Brown, to be permanent leader". NOLA.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ "The Origin of Jayson". 2012.
  12. ^ a b c Lou, Widmer, Mary (30 April 2007). New Orleans in the Forties. Pelican Publishing. p. 165. ISBN 9781455609512.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ New Orleans Times-Picayune, July 20, 2003
  14. ^ "Gernon Brown, 1946". Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  15. ^ a b "Special Renovation Section: Jesuit High School – Coach and Athletic Director". coachad.com. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  16. ^ "Jesuit High School Alumnus Donates Xenex Germ-Zapping Robot to His Alma Mater". www.businesswire.com. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  17. ^ "University of North Florida – 2018 Baseball Coaching Staff". www.unfospreys.com. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  18. ^ "Jesuit completes Division I state baseball championship season with more heroics from Ryan Porche, Zack Casebonne". www.nola.com. 15 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  19. ^ "The Jesuit-Rummel state final ends with a 1-0 score and includes the throw-out of a runner at home". www.nola.com. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  20. ^ Gems, Gerald R. (2013). Sport and the Shaping of Italian-American Identity. Syracuse University Press. p. 118. ISBN 9780815652540.
  21. ^ Longman, Jere (2005-11-12). "Homecoming Isn't a Game This Season". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  22. ^ "Jesuit High School (LA) | Great American Rivalry Series | Page 3". greatamericanrivalry.com. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  23. ^ "Athletics". www.holycrosstigers.com. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  24. ^ "Year-by-Year Results – Jesuit Bluejays Football (New Orleans, LA)". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  25. ^ "Peter Rivas Bio :: Notre Dame Men's Golf :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of ND Athletics". Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  26. ^ "Jesuit High School Takes Varsity Title at Allstate Sugar Bowl Lacrosse Classic – Official Site of the Allstate Sugar Bowl". allstatesugarbowl.org. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  27. ^ Dabe, Christopher (May 16, 2021). "Jesuit wins state lacrosse championship after key player gets hurt in first half".
  28. ^ "USA Rugby". USA Rugby. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  29. ^ "Jesuit wins soccer state championship with golden goal against Catholic-Baton Rouge". www.nola.com. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
  30. ^ "Jesuit, Shaw repeat as state wrestling champions as Holy Cross, John Curtis finish second". www.nola.com.com. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
  31. ^ "Jesuit High School New Orleans Info/Links". Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  32. ^ Krieger, Rob. "Puerto Rican baseball players find home away from home at Jesuit". Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  33. ^ VARGAS, RAMON ANTONIO (6 February 2020). "Jesuit High, plaintiffs reach settlements in 2 lawsuits claiming long-ago molestation by janitors". NOLA.com.
  34. ^ "14 priests and brothers who served at Jesuit High School in New Orleans on list of sexual abusers". December 7, 2018.
  35. ^ VARGAS, RAMON ANTONIO (13 November 2019). "New molestation suit accuses Jesuit of using parent, alumni donations to pay abuse settlements". NOLA.com.
  36. ^ a b c d Glassman, James K. (July 1978). "New Orleans: I Have Seen the Future, and It's Houston". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  37. ^ "Lot Detail – 1946 Tookie Gilbert Jesuit High School New Orleans "The Sporting News Collection Archives" Original 8" x 10" Photo (Sporting News Collection Hologram/MEARS Photo LOA)". sports.mearsonlineauctions.com. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  38. ^ "Warren Leruth, Culinary Innovator and Powerhouse". 10 December 2019.
  39. ^ Fitzmorris, Tom. "LeRuth's".
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Famous Jesuit High School Alumni". Ranker. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  41. ^ Donnes, Brittany (2024-01-26). "Twitch CEO Dan Clancy '81 Inspires Blue Jays at Career Day". Jesuit High School of New Orleans. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  42. ^ Porter, David L. (1995). Biographical Dictionary of American Sports: 1992–1995 supplement for baseball, football, basketball, and other sports. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 50. ISBN 9780313284311.
  43. ^ HARRY (2017-02-22), Harry Goes Home: Jesuit High School in New Orleans, retrieved 2017-12-31
  44. ^ "Kyle Keller Bio". lionsports.net. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  45. ^ "Tanner Lee, Jesuit, Pro-Style Quarterback". 247Sports. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  46. ^ Dabe, Christopher (April 28, 2018). "Former Tulane quarterback Tanner Lee goes to Jaguars in 6th round". The Times-Picayune.
  47. ^ Boulard, Garry (2002). Louis Prima. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0252070907.
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