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Xaverian High School

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Xaverian High School.

Xaverian High School is located at 7100 Shore Road Brooklyn, New York. The campus is located along Shore Road and is also the partial residence of Xaverian Brothers. Above the entrance is the school motto, "The Truth Shall Make You Free" (John 8:32). Contrary to popular belief Xaverian is not a parochial school and is a private institution. The school is self governed, not controlled or assisted[citation needed] by the Roman Catholic Church. The School was founded by the Xaverian Brothers, based in the Catholic tradition. The school is a member of the association for Xaverian Brothers[[1]] sponsored schools which serves all 12 Xaverian Brother founded schools in the United States. Xaverian is the only privatecollege-preparatory school exclusively for young men in Brooklyn, New York.[citation needed] It is a member of the CHSAA. Xaverian is governed by a President and Board of Trustees. President Dr. Salvatore C. Ferrera has served as President since 1992.

History

Founded in 1957, Xaverian High School is part of an international network of schools sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers and is one of New York City's leading college-preparatory schools for young men. Xaverian's curriculum, which includes one of New York City's few International Baccalaureate programs, attracts nearly 1,400 students annually.

Language

Xaverian offers an enhanced Spanish, French and Italian course that is required for at least 3 years.

Senior prom

Xaverian students enjoy the luxury of having the senior prom at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel. The senior prom has been held at the famous hotel since the school held its first prom in 1957. For most holidays, school and regional events the Bagpipe and Drum corps performs: such events as the school's annual Christmas party and the New York City Saint Patrick's Day parade. During all events, even in house(school) events, members can be seen all day long outfitted in the Gordon Regimental Tartan, with a Prince Charlie Jacket, white shirt, black tie and Glengary, often attending class before an event fully dressed. The most moving and traditional scene that the Bagpipe and Drum corps participate in is the opening and closing of commencement each year.

Traditions

The school, in its short history, has gathered many traditions, even its own in-house terms (slang) from its students and predecessor St. Michael Diocesan High School. Xaverian High School history began in 1957 with the opening of the school building but the Xaverian Brothers who founded the school can be traced back to its predecessor St. Michael Diocesan High School which graduated the last class of Michaelmen in 1960.

The Xaverian Brothers would later provide a home for the Michaelmen in their new Xaverian High School overlooking the Narrows in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Xaverian is also the home of St. Michael's Alumni Association which carries on the spirit of St. Michael's, the school that wouldn't die. The year 1994-95 will stand as one of the most outstanding years in the history of the St. Michaels Alumni Association. Foremost was the dedication of St. Michael's Chapel and Hall, the shining gem at the heart of Xaverian High School. These facilities were a fulfillment of a three-year pledge of $500,000 by the members of the Alumni Association. Over the past 36 years, the St Michael's Alumni Association has raised over $1 million for the Xaverian Brothers and Xaverian High School. The graduates of St.Michael are a valued part of the Xaverian High School family to this day.

Xaverian is also home to the Genesis program, a former diocesan junior high school program for the academically talented that was operated out of the ground floor of the high school. Xaverian has taken Genesis under its governance.

The Genesis Program for academically talented students was established in 1983. This program attempts to provide challenge, support and nurturing of the abilities of sixth through eighth grades academically talented students. Genesis is committed to meeting the unique educational needs of high ability students. Genesis is a co-ed school, even though Xaverian refuses to become co-ed.

Joe DiMaggio Award Gala

Xaverian annually hosts the Joe DiMaggio Award Gala, one of New York City’s paramount academic galas. The Joe DiMaggio Award was established in 1999 by its chairman, Dr. Rock Positano '76, with the approval of the DiMaggio Estate, in memory of baseball legend, Joe DiMaggio. Mr. DiMaggio was a friend and generous supporter of Xaverian High School and was the first individual to receive Xaverian's highest honor, the Concordia Award, in 1997. Upon his death in 1999, Xaverian's Concordia Award was renamed the Joe DiMaggio Award to memorialize Mr. DiMaggio's life-long commitment to the health, education, and well being of America's youth.

To date, the DiMaggio Award has been presented to international statesman Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, Maestro Luciano Pavarotti, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Paul Simon, Businessman John Bello, Boomer Esiason and Regis Philbin. Some concerned alumni protested the presentation of the award to James Gandolfini in 2005, believing that The Sopranos perpetuates negative stereotypes of Italian Americans.

Notable attendees/graduates

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