Rockhurst High School

Last updated

Rockhurst High School
Rhsnewcrest.jpg
Address
Rockhurst High School
9301 State Line Road, Kansas City

Coordinates 38°57′36″N94°36′22″W / 38.96°N 94.606°W / 38.96; -94.606
Information
Type Private, all-male
Motto Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
For the Greater Glory of God
Established1910;115 years ago (1910)
FounderMichael P. Dowling, SJ
CEEB code 261685
PresidentDavid J. Laughlin
PrincipalVincent A. Giacabazi, SJ
Faculty80
Grades 912
Enrollment940 (2021-2022)
Campus type Suburban
Color(s)Blue and white   
Fight song "Hail Blue and White"
Team nameHawklets
Rival Shawnee Mission East Lancers
Bishop Miege Stags
Accreditation AdvancEd [1]
PublicationThe Rock Collection
NewspaperThe Prep News
YearbookThe Quarry
Endowment$20 million
Tuition$15,425 (2021-2022)
Affiliation Catholic, Jesuit
Website RockhurstHS

Rockhurst High School is a private, Jesuit, all-boys preparatory school founded in 1910 along with Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. It moved away from the College in 1962 to a campus on State Line Road in Kansas City.

Contents

Rockhurst is accredited by the North Central Education Association and is a member of the North Central Education Association of Independent College Preparatory Schools, the Jesuit Secondary Education Association, and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (and its regional affiliates).

History

In 1908, the Michael P. Dowling, S.J., selected the site for a Jesuit school at 52nd and Troost Street in Kansas City. The name "Rockhurst" was chosen because large rocks found on the grounds resembled those at the Jesuit Stonyhurst College in Lancashire, England. Rockhurst was established by the Society of Jesus and chartered by the State of Missouri as part of Rockhurst College in August 1910. Classes began in the fall of 1914, and the school changed its name to Rockhurst High School in 1923. The high school shared a campus and corporate umbrella with the College until 1962, when it moved to the Greenlease Campus (named for its principal benefactor, Robert C. Greenlease). [2]

In 2017 Fr. Terrence Baum, S.J., concluded 12 years as president of the high school. He had overseen a $41.3 million fund-raising campaign which allowed capital improvements including Loyola Center athletic complex, a dining commons, and interactive classrooms. [3] In 2018, former Rockhurst High School principal David J. Laughlin returned to be the school's first lay president.

Academics

Fifty-six semester credits are required for graduation. This includes four years of English, of mathematics and computer programming, and of theology; three years of social studies and of physical science; two years of modern and classical languages; one semester of communication arts and another of communications arts or visual and performing arts; and a semester of computer education and of physical education. To this are added 12 semesters of college-preparatory electives. [4]

Beginning in 2017 Rockhurst has pioneered the STEAM tech-savvy, more active learning method in the sciences. [5]

Spiritual retreat program

All freshmen participate in a two-and-a-half day retreat experience focused on community and love of God, with the diverse members of the Rockhurst community as presenters. All sophomores participate in a day of reflection on how they are realizing God's hopes for them, followed by a conversation on the same topic with their parents, a member of the Rockhurst staff being present as facilitator. All juniors make one of the three and a half-day Kairos retreats. Focus is on Christ working in their lives; Talks by Rockhurst student leaders and adults stimulate group discussions and private reflection. Seniors are offered options of making three-day retreats based on Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises and two-day camping retreats with a focus on finding God in nature. Neither is required but both may be made more than once. [6]

Service to others

All students participate in the school's voluntary service program throughout their four years. Freshmen are introduced to voluntary service during freshman orientation days, again during their retreat, and at one of the special freshman service days. In sophomore and junior years each student puts in at least 40 hours performing some corporal work of mercy. Seniors spend three weeks on a senior project of their choice, working with people who have special needs. [7]

Beyond the required service hours, Rockhurst has additional projects which students take on in a program named after Jesuit Father General Pedro Arrupe, who called on Jesuit schools to educate men and women for others. [8] This includes the Joseph of Arimathea Society, Snowmen for Others, For the Greater (Morning) Glory, Hurtado’s Mentors, Claver Homeless Ministry, Friends of L'Arche, and Upper Room Tutors. [9]

The Total Ignatian Experience program provides the whole Rockhurst community, including parents, with opportunities for immersion experiences in summers; seniors may also do this during their January service experience. Programs offered are in Kansas City, St. Louis, Appalachia, Tijuana, and Guatemala. Running the Harvest Food Drive and Mission Week are also a part of this program. [10]

The Jesuit Alumni Service Corps (ASC) involves graduates of Jesuit schools in a year of teaching at a Jesuit secondary school. Eleven Rockhurst High School graduates have served in ASC and in 2016 there were 16 former ASC members on the Rockhurst faculty. [11]

Programs and awards

Rockhurst offers to students 61 extracurricular clubs and activities. [12] Primary among these are the drama, choral, and instrumental music programs which are meant to supplement the required semester in a fine or performing arts class. [13] The school choir has performed in concert at the Jesuit parish in town. [14]

From the student government organization, one of the more prominent student body presidents was Tim Kaine, class of '76, Hillary Clinton's running mate in the US presidential election of 2016. [15] In 2016 eight students in the Mock Trial Club took second place in the state. [16]

Prior to admittance, the Alberto Hurtado Scholars Program offers a year-round educational enrichment program for boys in grades 6-8 who are very capable but have not had the educational opportunities to prepare them for the Rockhurst admissions test. [17]

Recognition given for student achievement includes the following annual awards. There are awards in each academic discipline. Students are inducted into the National Honor Society. The Environmental Leadership Award is given to students who have excelled in this area. Perfect and exemplary attendance awards are given. There are numerous awards of distinction: Advanced Placement Scholars; National Merit Commended, Semi-Finalists and Finalists; National Achievement Scholarship Program; National Hispanic Recognition; and book awards sponsored by universities. R Awards are conferred on students who show exemplary generosity in building up the RHS community. And 28 students in 2016 had put in over 100 hours of service and received the President's Volunteer Service Award. One senior is voted by classmates to receive the Senior Class Award, for service to the school. On the same basis the Carl G. Kloster, S.J., “Special R” Award is voted on by faculty and staff, who also bestow the Jesuit Secondary Education Association Award on the basis of Christian and Ignatian ideals. [18]

In 2013 the school initiated a drug testing program. Only a few students tested positive, and their parents were informed. Upon a second instance the school becomes involved. [19]

Athletics

Rockhurst is classified as a Class 6A school by the Missouri State High School Activities Association, meaning that it competes against the largest high schools in Missouri during state competition.

State championships

MSHSAA's classification nomenclature has changed over time and often has varied by sport, so many of the titles listed below were won in divisions known by different names, i.e. Class 3, Class 5A, etc.; however, each title falls under the Class 6A designation either by name or by the criteria outlined by MSHSAA at the time the title was won. Rockhurst has won 75 titles as of 2017. [20] [21]

Rockhurst won 35 state championships in the decade beginning in 2005, and six state championships in 2008-2009 alone. Its record for placings in a single year is 2007, with seven. Also, in 1987 Rockhurst became the only institution in the history of Missouri high school athletics to win football and basketball state championships in the same year. Rockhurst's athletics program was named by Sports Illustrated as the best in Missouri and one of the top ten in the country in 2009. [29] [30] In 2012 MaxPreps ranked the school's football team as having been the most consistently highly ranked state team since 2004. [31] In 2016 and again in 2023, Rockhurst's soccer team reached the number one ranking in the nation. The 2023 team finished as national champions. [32]

Rockhurst is not affiliated with any local high school athletic conferences, and because it is not a public school its student make-up is not geographically restricted. Its biggest rivals in the Kansas City area are Shawnee Mission East, Bishop Miege, Blue Springs High School and Blue Springs South High School.

Program-specific accomplishments

Football

Rockhurst is the only school to win a championship in each major state championship venue: Busch Stadium, Arrowhead Stadium, the University of Missouri's Faurot Field, and the Edward Jones Dome. [21] It also won a championship in a "non-championship" venue: its first championship, in 1971, at William Chrisman High School, against St. Louis (MO) Beaumont. Its nine football championships rank the school fourth in Missouri history, behind Jefferson City High School which has 10, Valle Catholic High School, which has 12, and Webb City High School which has 16. The team has been to 14 state championships, second only to Webb City, which has been to 19 championship games, and it is the all-time leader in state playoff appearances and state playoff wins. Five Rockhurst teams have won the state championship with perfect records: 1971, 2000, 2002, 2007, and 2010. The 2000, 2002, 2007, and 2010 teams finished the season nationally ranked 14th, 6th, 20th, and 19th respectively (after finishing 14–0, 13–0, 13–0, and 14–0). [33] [34] The back-to-back state championship teams of 1986 and 1987 also finished nationally ranked, 14th and 13th respectively (after finishing 11–1 and 12–1). [35]

The last three head coaches of Rockhurst's football team, Al Davis Jr., Jerry Culver, and Tony Severino, are all members of Missouri's High School Coaches Hall of Fame, and all won state championships. Davis was a two-time recipient of the Knute Rockne Award and Severino was named USA Today's National Coach of the Year in 2000. [36]

Notable alumni

Arts, entertainment, and media
Athletics
Business
Education
Medicine
Politics and law

Notes

  1. The MAHSHL replaced the KCMAHSHL beginning in 2009
  2. Swimming changed from a winter sport to a fall sport in 2006; thus, there were two championships in that calendar year.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockhurst University</span> Private university in Kansas City, Missouri, US

Rockhurst University is a private Jesuit university in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 1910 as Rockhurst College, Rockhurst University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It enrolled 2,980 students in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Louis University High School</span>

St. Louis University High School (SLUH) is an all-male Jesuit high school in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest secondary educational institution in the United States west of the Mississippi River, and one of the largest private high schools in Missouri. It is located in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Pembroke Hill School</span> Independent school in Kansas City, Missouri, United States

The Pembroke Hill School is a secular, coeducational, independent preparatory school for about 1,200 students in early years through high school, separated into four sections: early years-prekindergarten, kindergarten-5th grade, 6th-8th grade, and 9th-12th grade. It is located on two campuses in the Country Club District of Kansas City, Missouri, near the Country Club Plaza.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesuit High School (Tampa)</span> Private, all-male school in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, United States

Jesuit High School is a private, Catholic, all-male high school run by the U.S. Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus in Tampa, Florida. The school was established in 1899 by the Jesuits and operates independently of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg. The school teaches a college preparatory curriculum and has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

Parkway West High School is a public comprehensive high school in Chesterfield, Missouri, US, that is part of the Parkway School District.

Fort Osage High School is a high school located at 2101 N. Twyman Rd. in unincorporated Jackson County, Missouri, in the Kansas City metropolitan area, adjacent to Independence. It belongs to the Fort Osage R-1 School District and serves a section of northern Independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee's Summit North High School</span> Public high school in Lees Summit, Missouri, United States

Lee's Summit North High School is a high school that serves grades 9–12. It is in Lee's Summit, Missouri, United States and is the second of three high schools opened there. The other two schools are Lee's Summit West High School and Lee's Summit High School. Lee's Summit North opened in the fall of 1995. Their mascot is the Bronco. The school offers classes for the IB Diploma. Bernard Campbell Middle School students attend Lee's Summit North.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lindbergh High School (Missouri)</span> Public high school in Sappington, Missouri, United States

Lindbergh High School is a public high school in the Lindbergh School District. It is in Sappington, an unincorporated area in St. Louis County, Missouri, in the suburbs of St. Louis. It is the only high school in the district. The 2022 graduating class had 555 students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missouri State High School Activities Association</span>

The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) is the governing body for high school activities throughout the state of Missouri. Approximately 580 high schools are members of MSHSAA.

Webb City High School is a public high school located in Webb City, Missouri, founded in 1877. The school serves students in grades 9 through 12 and is the only traditional high school in the School District of Webb City R-7. Webb City High School is a part of Missouri State High School Activities Association which acts as the governing body for high school activities throughout the state of Missouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellarmine Preparatory School</span> School in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, United States

Bellarmine Preparatory School is a private Catholic co-educational high school run by the USA West Province of the Society of Jesus in Tacoma, Washington. It is located in the Archdiocese of Seattle. Today, it serves just over 900 students from the Greater Tacoma area, including Olympia, Gig Harbor, Federal Way, and Puyallup. It was founded in 1928 by the Jesuits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">De Smet Jesuit High School</span> Catholic school in Missouri, United States

De Smet Jesuit High School is a Catholic college preparatory high school for boys in Creve Coeur, Missouri, in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.

Education in Missouri is provided by both public and private schools, colleges, and universities, and a variety of public library systems. All public education in the state is governed by the Missouri State Board of Education, which is made up of eight citizens appointed by the Governor of Missouri and confirmed by the Missouri Senate.

St. Teresa's Academy is a Catholic, independent secondary school for girls in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. It was founded in 1866 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and accredited in 1923.

The Rockhurst Hawklets football team is one of the most successful high school football programs in Missouri. The team is composed of students from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri and has made the most state championship appearances of any school in Missouri. Their main rivals are Blue Springs High School, Bishop Meige High School, Shawnee Mission East High School, and CBC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirkwood High School</span> Public school in Missouri, United States

Kirkwood High School is a public secondary school in Kirkwood, Missouri, United States. The school is part of the Kirkwood R-7 School District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vashon High School</span> Comprehensive public high school in the United States

Vashon High School is a high school of the St. Louis Public Schools in St. Louis, Missouri. When it opened in 1927, it was the second high school for black students in St. Louis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of San Francisco</span> Private Jesuit university in San Francisco, California, US

The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private Jesuit university in San Francisco, California. The university's main campus is located on a 55-acre (22 ha) setting between the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. The main campus is nicknamed "The Hilltop" and is split into two sections within a block of each other. Part of the main campus is located on Lone Mountain, one of San Francisco's major geographical features. Its close historical ties with the City and County of San Francisco are reflected in the university's traditional motto, Pro Urbe et Universitate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benedictine Ravens</span> Athletic teams representing Benedictine College

The Benedictine Ravens are the athletic teams that represent Benedictine College, located in Atchison, Kansas, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) since the 1991–92 academic year. The Ravens previously competed as an NAIA Independent from 1962–63 to 1990–91; in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIC) from 1937–38 to 1961–62; as an Independent from January 1929 to 1936–37; and in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) from 1902–03 to 1927–28.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan-Rogersville High School</span> Public school in Rogersville, Missouri

Logan-Rogersville High School (LRHS) is a public high school for grades 9–12 located in Rogersville, Missouri as part of the Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District. The National Center for Education Statistics classifies LRHS as a "rural fringe" locale, which is defined as a rural area that is less than or equal to 5 miles from an urban area. The mascot of LRHS is the wildcat with the colors of maroon and white.

References

  1. "Rockhurst High School". International Registry for Accreditation. AdvancED. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  2. "The History of Rockhurst High School". Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
  3. "Fr. Terrence Baum to Conclude Service at Rockhurst High School". jesuitscentralsouthern.org. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  4. "Academics - Requirements - Rockhurst High School". www.rockhursths.edu. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  5. Vickers, Chris Oberholtz, Nathan. "Rockhurst High School emphasizes new approach to learning" . Retrieved January 1, 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. "Student Life - Pastoral - Retreats - Rockhurst High School". www.rockhursths.edu. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  7. "Student Life - Ignatian Service Program - Grade Level Experiences - Rockhurst High School". www.rockhursths.edu. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  8. "Men for Others". onlineministries.creighton.edu. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  9. "Student Life - Ignatian Service Program - Pedro Arrupe Company - Rockhurst High School". www.rockhursths.edu. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  10. "Student Life - Service - Total Ignatian Experience (TIE) - Rockhurst High School". www.rockhursths.edu. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  11. "ASC - Rockhurst High School". www.rockhursths.edu. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  12. "Activities and Clubs - Rockhurst High School". www.rockhursths.edu. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  13. "Student Life - Performing Arts - Rockhurst High School". www.rockhursths.edu. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  14. "Rockhurst High School Choir Concert - St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church". www.sfx-kc.org. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  15. Rodriguez, Kyle Palmer, Lisa. "Tim Kaine's High School Classmates On Their Former Class President" . Retrieved March 24, 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. "Missouri High School Mock Trial Competition". www.bamsl.org. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  17. "About Us - Hurtado Scholars Program - Rockhurst High School". www.rockhursths.edu. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  18. "News - Awards Assembly 2016 - Rockhurst High School". www.rockhursths.edu. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  19. "Drug testing at Rockhurst not resulting in many positives… and that's a good thing". FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. February 20, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  20. "Rockhurst High School State Results". Athletics. Rockhurst High School. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  21. 1 2 "All-time MSHSAA championships" (PDF). Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  22. "MSHSAA football championships" (PDF). Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  23. "January 2013: Rockhurst and Wichita Capture MAHSHL Crowns". News Archive. Mid America High School Hockey League. January 8, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  24. Soccer
  25. "MSHSAA soccer championships" (PDF). Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  26. "Boys Swimming and Diving State Championships". MSHSAA. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  27. "MSHSAA tennis championships" (PDF). Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  28. "MSHSAA track championships" (PDF). Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  29. "Top athletics program in each state and the District of Columbia". SI.com. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  30. "Top 10 athletic programs for 2008-09". SI.com. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  31. "Top 10 most consistent high school programs in each state - MaxPreps". MaxPreps.com. August 20, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  32. "Rockhurst (Mo.) takes over No. 1, 9 newcomers in Super 25 boys soccer rankings". USA Today High School Sports. September 20, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  33. "ESPN High Elite 25 High Football Rankings". ESPN. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  34. "USA TODAY High School Sports". USA Today. February 20, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  35. "Year-by-year Rankings". USA Today. June 20, 2006. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  36. "USATODAY.com". usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  37. "The religion of Robert Altman, director". www.adherents.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2006. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  38. "Joan Ann East of Leawood Kansas | Obituary". Cremation Center of Kansas City. August 15, 2011. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  39. "Kyanka".
  40. "Jason Sudeikis". IMDb. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  41. "Spencer Tracy". IMDb. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  42. "Brad Budde". www.footballfoundation.org. National Football Foundation. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  43. "David Cone Stats, Fantasy & News". Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  44. "Alex George Stats | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  45. Taylor, Alex (September 20, 2024). "TE John Michael Gyllenborg working his way back for Wyoming's offense". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  46. "Player Bio: John Mayberry, Jr. - Stanford University". Stanford University. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  47. "John McCambridge Statistics on JustSportsStats.com" . Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  48. "University of Kansas Athletics". www.kuathletics.com. June 18, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  49. "Paul Migliazzo Stats | Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  50. "Steve Mingori Stats | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  51. 1 2 "Rockhurst All Sports Program" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
  52. "Kerry Reardon". Nfl.com. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
  53. "Nathan Scheelhaase". UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS DIVISION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  54. "Seth Sinovic - 2007" . Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  55. "American Indian tribes used by convicted payday lender Scott Tucker settle with feds". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  56. "Former Chiefs doctor Joseph Waeckerle — a veteran of the NFL's concussion wars — is on a mission to protect young players". Kansas City Pitch. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  57. "HARRIS, Herbert Eugene, II - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  58. Green, Emma (February 4, 2021). "The Most Hated Man in Washington". The Atlantic . Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  59. "READ: Full text of Tim Kaine's speech at DNC 2016". July 28, 2016.
  60. "JOSEPH PATRICK TEASDALE's Obituary on Kansas City Star". Kansas City Star. Retrieved January 2, 2018.