St. Peter's Boys High School
Encyclopedia
St. Peter's Boys' High School is a Catholic
all-boys high school
located in the West Brighton
area of Staten Island
in New York City
. St. Peter's is affiliated with the Christian Brothers of St. John Baptist de la Salle
. The school is located at 200 Clinton Avenue and is part of the St. Peter's parish on Staten Island, which also runs a grammar school and all-girls high school. It is a member of the CHSAA
.
area of Staten Island. A local priest, Father Farrell and other local clergy took over operation of the school in 1920 when the Brothers were withdrawn due to World War I
. The Brothers would return ten years later in 1930. At this time, there were more Brothers at the school than ever before. In 1937, the main campus of St. Peter's Boys' HS, was designated as a junior college of Manhattan College
, another Lasallian institution. By 1943, the junior college closed and St. Peter's Boys High School relocated to that campus. The main campus of St. Peter's Boys High School has remained there since, on the corner of Clinton and Henderson Avenues. The Brothers' House, home to the Christian Brothers that live and teach at St. Peter's, is also found on this campus.
As recently as the early 1960s, two Christian Brothers also taught seventh and eight grades for boys at what is now St. Peter's Girls HS at 300 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island.
. The project included the renovation of the school's main building. As part of the renovation, administrative offices expanded, the library was enhanced, a state-of-the-art computer lab was added as well as completely updated and modernized Biology and Chemistry Laboratories. Project 2000 also included the construction of a wrestling room and air conditioning in designated areas of the building. Soon after the completion of Project 2000, renovations were made to the cafeteria and brand new lockers were installed. As a continuation of Project 2000, the school went forth with plans to build an athletic facility that would be home to the school's football and track teams.
As the school's reputation within the community rapidly increases, so does the student population. Each year presents the school with a large increase in applicants. The small size of the school and limited capacity means that only a limited number of students are presented with the opportunity to pursue academic studies and athletic achievement at the school. The acceptance rate continues to point toward the school's increasing difficulty of acceptance despite the fact that the school's tuition does NOT increase at a higher rate than its fellow Catholic high schools. Many point to the school's increased popularity as one of the reasons for its continued growth.
. The school is also operated by the Christian Brothers of St. John Baptist de la Salle, an order of Christian Brothers whose mission is to teach. Over 14,000 men are members of the Brothers and the society has a rich history that extends over three hundred years. St. Peter's is one of 17 schools in New York and New Jersey that belong to the Brothers. St. Peter's is also a member of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
.
, though they can pursue two more years upon invi
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
all-boys high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located in the West Brighton
West New Brighton, Staten Island
West New Brighton is a neighborhood of New York City, Richmond County, USA, situated along the central North Shore of Staten Island...
area of Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. St. Peter's is affiliated with the Christian Brothers of St. John Baptist de la Salle
Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools is a Roman Catholic religious teaching congregation, founded in France by Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle and now based in Rome...
. The school is located at 200 Clinton Avenue and is part of the St. Peter's parish on Staten Island, which also runs a grammar school and all-girls high school. It is a member of the CHSAA
Catholic High School Athletic Association
The Catholic High School Athletic Association or CHSAA is a high school athletic association made up of Catholic High Schools based in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester...
.
Origins
The origins of St. Peter's Boys' High School can be traced back to 1839, with the dedication of St. Peter's parish. With the arrival of three Christian Brothers in 1917, the school was founded on Richmond Terrace in the New/New BrightonSt. George, Staten Island
St. George is a neighborhood on the northeastern tip of Staten Island in New York City, where the Kill Van Kull enters Upper New York Bay. It is the most densely developed neighborhood on Staten Island, and the location of the administrative center for the borough and for the coterminous Richmond...
area of Staten Island. A local priest, Father Farrell and other local clergy took over operation of the school in 1920 when the Brothers were withdrawn due to World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The Brothers would return ten years later in 1930. At this time, there were more Brothers at the school than ever before. In 1937, the main campus of St. Peter's Boys' HS, was designated as a junior college of Manhattan College
Manhattan College
Manhattan College is a Roman Catholic liberal arts college in the Lasallian tradition in New York City, United States. Despite the college's name, it is no longer located in Manhattan but in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, roughly 10 miles north of Midtown. Manhattan College offers...
, another Lasallian institution. By 1943, the junior college closed and St. Peter's Boys High School relocated to that campus. The main campus of St. Peter's Boys High School has remained there since, on the corner of Clinton and Henderson Avenues. The Brothers' House, home to the Christian Brothers that live and teach at St. Peter's, is also found on this campus.
As recently as the early 1960s, two Christian Brothers also taught seventh and eight grades for boys at what is now St. Peter's Girls HS at 300 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island.
The Modern Era
In 1965, the Archdiocese of New York agreed to assist in the funding of a new gymnasium, which would also serve as the school's auditorium. By 1969, however, St. Peter's livelihood was threatened and the school's closing was imminent. The community rallied around St. Peter's and local support prevented the school from closing. As of 2001, the school's enrollment was 740 students. The Brother's involvement in the school has been in decline due to a continuous decrease in men entering the De La Sallian society. In 2001, eight Brothers taught at the school along with 2 Sisters of St. Joseph and 31 lay faculty members. In 2009 The varsity football team won the CHSAA single A championship 41-0 Against the Bishop Ford Falcons.http://nychsfl.org/Project 2000
Under the presidency of Brother James Kelly, FSC and Principal John A. Fodera, the school embarked on an ambitious project that would allow the school to continue to grow academically and become a powerhouse among Catholic high schools in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The project included the renovation of the school's main building. As part of the renovation, administrative offices expanded, the library was enhanced, a state-of-the-art computer lab was added as well as completely updated and modernized Biology and Chemistry Laboratories. Project 2000 also included the construction of a wrestling room and air conditioning in designated areas of the building. Soon after the completion of Project 2000, renovations were made to the cafeteria and brand new lockers were installed. As a continuation of Project 2000, the school went forth with plans to build an athletic facility that would be home to the school's football and track teams.
As the school's reputation within the community rapidly increases, so does the student population. Each year presents the school with a large increase in applicants. The small size of the school and limited capacity means that only a limited number of students are presented with the opportunity to pursue academic studies and athletic achievement at the school. The acceptance rate continues to point toward the school's increasing difficulty of acceptance despite the fact that the school's tuition does NOT increase at a higher rate than its fellow Catholic high schools. Many point to the school's increased popularity as one of the reasons for its continued growth.
Academics
St. Peter's is a fully accredited member of the New York State Board of RegentsUniversity of the State of New York
The University of the State of New York is the State of New York's governmental umbrella organization responsible for most institutions and people in any way connected with formal educational functions, public and private, in New York State...
. The school is also operated by the Christian Brothers of St. John Baptist de la Salle, an order of Christian Brothers whose mission is to teach. Over 14,000 men are members of the Brothers and the society has a rich history that extends over three hundred years. St. Peter's is one of 17 schools in New York and New Jersey that belong to the Brothers. St. Peter's is also a member of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit association dedicated to educational excellence and improvement through peer evaluation and accreditation...
.
Curriculum
All students enrolled at St. Peter's are expected to complete a rigorous academic program that includes four courses within the Religion Department, four courses within the English Department, four courses within the History Department, three within the Math Department, two courses in the sciences, three language courses, as well as an Art & Music course, a Health course, four years of physical education and usually three elective courses. On top of this course load, all Scholars students are required to complete at least two years of LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, though they can pursue two more years upon invi