Mount Saint Charles Academy
Encyclopedia
Mount Saint Charles Academy is a private Catholic
junior/senior high school located in Woonsocket, Rhode Island
, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence
.
to form part of this dream by staffing a school.
Mount St. Charles Academy opened its doors on September 14, 1924 to a number of boarders and commuting students. Br. Josephus SC served as the first principal.
Three years after the completion of the school a gymnasium, the largest in New England
at the time, was added. In the spirit of Brother Josephus, each succeeding principal has attempted to improve the school and its extra-curricular programs. The boys could choose from a wide variety of courses intended to sharpen their intellects as well as a selection of sports to assist in their physical development. In 1963, the Br. Adelard Ice Hockey Arena, named after the "Father of Schoolboy Hockey" and the first built to serve a particular school, was added to the campus.
By the 1970s, with the closing of the all-girls' high school in the city and a diminished interest in boarding schools, the Academy was modernized into a Grades 7 - 12, co-educational, day school. Desiring to better serve the individual needs of each student, the Academy also established its Teacher Counselor Program, intended to ensure that each student had an adult advocate to monitor his/her progress and serve as an intermediary between the home and school.
During the past two decades, the Academy has further expanded academic and competitive opportunities. It is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and has been recognized twice as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. Attempting to perpetuate that success, the Academy has continued to develop its campus including the construction of a new Performing Arts / Physical Education facility in 2000. Future development includes plans for new a new Science Center, a Technology Center and additional sporting facilities.
In 2009 it was announced that Mr. Herve Richer, Jr. would become the first lay president of Mount Saint Charles. Mr. Edwin Burke, former assistant principal and advanced-placement European History teacher, assumed the position of Principal.
The Music Department also provides opportunities for students in grades 7 through 12 to participate in a long history of stage bands, jazz bands, brass choirs, woodwind, percussion and strings ensembles. The current format is a junior (high) band and for senior high, two bands: the lower ranking senior band and the higher ranking wind ensemble, which despite its name, has strings and percussion in addition to brass and woodwind. Two jazz bands also exist which have students in grades 7-12: the JV Jazz and the Senior Jazz Band. The two senior high bands also participate in the Woonsocket Autumnfest Parade during the school year.
Chorus
The program in Chorus includes both junior high and high school students. Through a range of music styles including religious, musical theater and popular songs, students attempt to develop vocal and performance skills.
Dance
The Dance program includes modern, jazz, ballet and tap, through an academic and performance based program. Students also gain experience in choreography and performance in different settings.
Excelsior Yearbook
The MSC yearbook publishes a complete and formal summary of each year's social, scholastic, athletic activities. It also contains individual pictures of all students and faculty. Although the teaching staff of the Academy and the respective senior classes are depicted in color print each year, the remainder of the student body is depicted in black and white.
Handbell Choirs
The Arts Department offers the opportunity to participate in handbell choirs performing at school concerts. The advanced group of Excelsior Bells also performs in the community on a regular basis.
Theater
Junior high and senior high programs offer theory, training and stage experiences during school hours. In addition, these theatre classes schedule public performances.
Visual Arts
Wind Ensemble
The Mount St. Charles Wind Ensemble is composed of students from Grades 9 through 12. It meets on a regular basis during the school day. The syllabus consists of theory and practice of all categories of music from rock to classical. The Wind Ensemble presents annual concerts and marches in parades.
program, which is considered to be one of the best in the United States.http://nhl.com/intheslot/read/impact/2003_04/january/newengland.html
The Mount Saint Charles Academy men's hockey team won twenty-six consecutive state titles from 1978–2003 and began a new streak with state victories in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Over the years, a total of 20 alumni have been drafted by the NHL. Brian Lawton
and Bryan Berard
were drafted 1st overall in the NHL Entry Draft. The story of this school's hockey program is recorded in the book Pride on the Mount by John Gillooly. The current coach, Normand "Bill" Belisle, has a record of 904 wins, 129 losses, and 32 ties. In 2006, a documentary was created called "Ice Kings
", which encompases the material covered in the book as well as insights from alumni and Coach Belisle.
Boys' volleyball has become another one of the Mounties' sports. The Mounties won back-to-back Division II State Championships in 2001 and 2002. Mount was quickly moved to Division I, but struggled for 2 seasons. In 2007 the boys were moved back to Division II and continued their pursuit of success. In 2008 the boys were DII North Co-Division Champions with Scituate
. Later the two Co-Champions met in the state finals where the Mounties successfully procured the state crown, winning 3-1. In 2009 the Mounties went on to win the inaugural Volleyball Hall of Fame Showcase of Champions Tournament, another Division title and its fourth State Championship in 9 years, and finished with a 19-0 record, their third perfect season in the program's brief 9-year history. In 2010 the team completed another undefeated 16-0 regular season, bringing the team to a 42 game win streak and securing another Division II North Championship.
In addition, the Boys Varsity Lacrosse team, formed in the Spring of 2005, has attempted to succeed. The team won back to back RI Club Lacrosse Championships in 2005 and 2006, and upon entering the Interscholastic League in 2007 advanced to the quarterfinals. After initial failures, the team won a state championship in their second season in the league in 2008. Along with the progress of the Varsity program, the Junior Varsity and Junior High teams have sought success. In 2011, The varsity team won the regular season championship in Division II North, although having lost in playoffs. In the same year, the JV team won the Division II JV state title after defeating South Kingstown 9 - 6. The JH team attempts to prepare new players for high school competition.
In addition, the Girl's Varsity Tennis team has won several state championship titles, most recently in 2007 and 2008.
The school also won back to back Division II state titles in boys soccer 2004 and 2005 before moving up to Division I in 2006
The swim team also had a leap from Division III to Division I in one year, making it the only team in RIIL history to move two divisions in one year.
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
junior/senior high school located in Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence
Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence is a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. The diocese was erected by Pope Pius IX on February 17, 1872 and originally comprised the entire state of Rhode Island and the counties of Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket in the state...
.
History
By the close of the 19th century, a vast number of Canadians had migrated to the mill town of Woonsocket, RI. The Franco-American clergy of the area cherished the idea of assisting these immigrant families by educating the young, preserving the language and promulgating the Catholic faith. One local clergyman, Monsignor Charles Dauray, took the initiative and laid the foundation for educational institutions that would serve his parishioners. He invited the Brothers of the Sacred HeartBrothers of the Sacred Heart
The Brothers of the Sacred Heart are a Catholic religious congregation founded in 1821 by the Reverend André Coindre . Its Constitutions were modeled upon those of the Jesuits, while its Rule of Life was based upon the Rule of Saint Augustine. Its members bind themselves for life by simple vows of...
to form part of this dream by staffing a school.
Mount St. Charles Academy opened its doors on September 14, 1924 to a number of boarders and commuting students. Br. Josephus SC served as the first principal.
Three years after the completion of the school a gymnasium, the largest in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
at the time, was added. In the spirit of Brother Josephus, each succeeding principal has attempted to improve the school and its extra-curricular programs. The boys could choose from a wide variety of courses intended to sharpen their intellects as well as a selection of sports to assist in their physical development. In 1963, the Br. Adelard Ice Hockey Arena, named after the "Father of Schoolboy Hockey" and the first built to serve a particular school, was added to the campus.
By the 1970s, with the closing of the all-girls' high school in the city and a diminished interest in boarding schools, the Academy was modernized into a Grades 7 - 12, co-educational, day school. Desiring to better serve the individual needs of each student, the Academy also established its Teacher Counselor Program, intended to ensure that each student had an adult advocate to monitor his/her progress and serve as an intermediary between the home and school.
During the past two decades, the Academy has further expanded academic and competitive opportunities. It is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and has been recognized twice as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. Attempting to perpetuate that success, the Academy has continued to develop its campus including the construction of a new Performing Arts / Physical Education facility in 2000. Future development includes plans for new a new Science Center, a Technology Center and additional sporting facilities.
In 2009 it was announced that Mr. Herve Richer, Jr. would become the first lay president of Mount Saint Charles. Mr. Edwin Burke, former assistant principal and advanced-placement European History teacher, assumed the position of Principal.
Arts
BandsThe Music Department also provides opportunities for students in grades 7 through 12 to participate in a long history of stage bands, jazz bands, brass choirs, woodwind, percussion and strings ensembles. The current format is a junior (high) band and for senior high, two bands: the lower ranking senior band and the higher ranking wind ensemble, which despite its name, has strings and percussion in addition to brass and woodwind. Two jazz bands also exist which have students in grades 7-12: the JV Jazz and the Senior Jazz Band. The two senior high bands also participate in the Woonsocket Autumnfest Parade during the school year.
Chorus
The program in Chorus includes both junior high and high school students. Through a range of music styles including religious, musical theater and popular songs, students attempt to develop vocal and performance skills.
Dance
The Dance program includes modern, jazz, ballet and tap, through an academic and performance based program. Students also gain experience in choreography and performance in different settings.
Excelsior Yearbook
The MSC yearbook publishes a complete and formal summary of each year's social, scholastic, athletic activities. It also contains individual pictures of all students and faculty. Although the teaching staff of the Academy and the respective senior classes are depicted in color print each year, the remainder of the student body is depicted in black and white.
Handbell Choirs
The Arts Department offers the opportunity to participate in handbell choirs performing at school concerts. The advanced group of Excelsior Bells also performs in the community on a regular basis.
Theater
Junior high and senior high programs offer theory, training and stage experiences during school hours. In addition, these theatre classes schedule public performances.
Visual Arts
Wind Ensemble
The Mount St. Charles Wind Ensemble is composed of students from Grades 9 through 12. It meets on a regular basis during the school day. The syllabus consists of theory and practice of all categories of music from rock to classical. The Wind Ensemble presents annual concerts and marches in parades.
Campus Ministry
In collaboration with the Religious Studies Department, the Office of Campus Ministry seeks to provide a range of experiences which form a more reflective faith community. To achieve this goal, the campus ministers guide and develop a range of activities which involve the whole community in a variety of ways.Athletics
The school is perhaps best known for its hockeyHockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
program, which is considered to be one of the best in the United States.http://nhl.com/intheslot/read/impact/2003_04/january/newengland.html
The Mount Saint Charles Academy men's hockey team won twenty-six consecutive state titles from 1978–2003 and began a new streak with state victories in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Over the years, a total of 20 alumni have been drafted by the NHL. Brian Lawton
Brian Lawton
Brian R. Lawton is a former professional ice hockey left wing and agent who played 483 games in the National Hockey League between 1983 and 1992...
and Bryan Berard
Bryan Berard
Bryan Wallace Berard is a former American professional ice hockey player. He was the first overall pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. He is most noted for a debilitating eye injury he received early in his career...
were drafted 1st overall in the NHL Entry Draft. The story of this school's hockey program is recorded in the book Pride on the Mount by John Gillooly. The current coach, Normand "Bill" Belisle, has a record of 904 wins, 129 losses, and 32 ties. In 2006, a documentary was created called "Ice Kings
Ice Kings
Ice Kings is an award winning documentary film by Craig E. Shapiro. The film chronicles Mount SaintCharles Academy hockey team's historic streak of 27 consecutive statetitles.-Synopsis:...
", which encompases the material covered in the book as well as insights from alumni and Coach Belisle.
Boys' volleyball has become another one of the Mounties' sports. The Mounties won back-to-back Division II State Championships in 2001 and 2002. Mount was quickly moved to Division I, but struggled for 2 seasons. In 2007 the boys were moved back to Division II and continued their pursuit of success. In 2008 the boys were DII North Co-Division Champions with Scituate
Scituate
Scituate is the name of some communities in New England in the United States:*Brunswick, Maine, formerly named Scituate*Scituate , Massachusetts*Scituate, Massachusetts*Scituate, Rhode Island, named after the town in Massachusetts...
. Later the two Co-Champions met in the state finals where the Mounties successfully procured the state crown, winning 3-1. In 2009 the Mounties went on to win the inaugural Volleyball Hall of Fame Showcase of Champions Tournament, another Division title and its fourth State Championship in 9 years, and finished with a 19-0 record, their third perfect season in the program's brief 9-year history. In 2010 the team completed another undefeated 16-0 regular season, bringing the team to a 42 game win streak and securing another Division II North Championship.
In addition, the Boys Varsity Lacrosse team, formed in the Spring of 2005, has attempted to succeed. The team won back to back RI Club Lacrosse Championships in 2005 and 2006, and upon entering the Interscholastic League in 2007 advanced to the quarterfinals. After initial failures, the team won a state championship in their second season in the league in 2008. Along with the progress of the Varsity program, the Junior Varsity and Junior High teams have sought success. In 2011, The varsity team won the regular season championship in Division II North, although having lost in playoffs. In the same year, the JV team won the Division II JV state title after defeating South Kingstown 9 - 6. The JH team attempts to prepare new players for high school competition.
In addition, the Girl's Varsity Tennis team has won several state championship titles, most recently in 2007 and 2008.
The school also won back to back Division II state titles in boys soccer 2004 and 2005 before moving up to Division I in 2006
The swim team also had a leap from Division III to Division I in one year, making it the only team in RIIL history to move two divisions in one year.
| State Championships | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Sport | Number of Championships | Year |
| Fall | Soccer Men's | 4 | 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005 |
| Tennis, Women's Tennis Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all... |
5 | 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 | |
| Volleyball, Women's Volleyball Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive... |
2 | 1995, 2009, | |
| Winter | Hockey Hockey Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:... |
42 | 1933, 1934, 1935, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1968, 1972, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Basketball, Men's Basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules... |
14 | 1975, 1976, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 | |
| Basketball, Women's Basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules... |
1 | 2000 | |
| Swimming, Men's Swimming (sport) Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native... |
2 | 2001, 2002 | |
| Swimming, Women's Swimming (sport) Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native... |
1 | 2002 | |
| Hockey, Women's Hockey Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:... |
6 | 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010 | |
| Spring | Men's Lacrosse Lacrosse Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick, mainly played in the United States and Canada. It is a contact sport which requires padding. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh... |
1 | 2008 |
| Volleyball, Men's Volleyball Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive... |
5 | 2001, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010 | |
| All | Cheerleading Cheerleading Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate... |
3 | 2005, 2007, 2008 |
| Total | 64 | ||
Notable alumni
- Paul GuayPaul GuayPaul Francois Guay is a retired American professional ice hockey player. He is now an assistant coach for his high school's hockey team.-Playing career:...
, ice hockey - Bryan BerardBryan BerardBryan Wallace Berard is a former American professional ice hockey player. He was the first overall pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. He is most noted for a debilitating eye injury he received early in his career...
, ice hockey player - Brian BoucherBrian BoucherBrian "Boosh" Boucher is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, ice hockey player - Ed BradleyEd BradleyEdward Rudolph "Ed" Bradley, Jr. was an American journalist, best known for twenty-six years of award-winning work on the CBS News television program 60 Minutes...
, American journalist, 60 Minutes60 Minutes60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
co-host (attended MSC) - Keith CarneyKeith CarneyKeith Edward Carney is an American retired professional ice hockey defenseman. He last played for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League in the 2007–08 season.-Playing career:...
, ice hockey player - Jeff JillsonJeff JillsonJeff Jillson is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for KLH Chomutov of the Czech second tier, 1. národní hokejová liga.-Playing career:...
, ice hockey player - Brian LawtonBrian LawtonBrian R. Lawton is a former professional ice hockey left wing and agent who played 483 games in the National Hockey League between 1983 and 1992...
, ice hockey player - Erik Per SullivanErik Per SullivanErik Per Sullivan is an American actor best known for his role as Dewey, the younger brother to middle child Malcolm, on the FOX series, Malcolm in the Middle which was on air for 6 years.-Personal life:...
, actor (left as sophomore) - Mathieu SchneiderMathieu SchneiderMathieu Schneider is a American former professional ice hockey player. Considered an offensive defenseman, Schneider played 1289 games in the National Hockey League with ten different teams, scoring 233 goals and totalling 743 points...
, ice hockey player - Garth SnowGarth SnowGarth E. Snow is an American retired professional ice hockey goaltender and is currently the general manager for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, ice hockey player - Ben MondorBen MondorBernard G. "Ben" Mondor was a Canadian-born American baseball executive.Mondor was born in 1925 in St. Ignace-du-Lac, Maskinongé, Quebec...
, Owner of Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
AAA affiliate, Pawtucket Red SoxPawtucket Red SoxThe Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League... - Roger N. Begin, Former Lt. Governor State of Rhode Island