Vincentian Academy
Encyclopedia
Vincentian Academy is a Roman Catholic
college preparatory school
near Pittsburgh
, Pennsylvania
. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
.
.
in 1995, whereupon it adopted the International Baccalaureate curriculum; the affiliation, during which the school was known as Vincentian Academy–Duquesne University, ended in June 2010.
tradition of often unconventional leadership.
Dialogue with the Vincentian Sisters began in 1993; an agreement was finalized 1994, and the inaugurating class was set to enroll in 1995, with Dean Derek Whordley of the Duquesne University School of Education
to be president of the new school. In September 1995, Vincentian Academy–Duquesne University became officially operational, and 31 new Academy students were assimilated into the high school classes. A slow expansion was planned, with the new Academy gradually replacing the old Vincentian High School.
The International Baccalaureate program was selected as the new Academy's curriculum because of its international appeal and academic quality. Moreover, it would be an attractive venue for university researchers and a unique experience for teachers. In adopting the IB, Vincentian Academy-Duquesne University became the only Catholic IB school in the world that was part of a major university.
Duquesne University had begun to provide administrative support services for Vincentian in 1995 for a five-year period, whereafter the partnership agreement was renewed in 2001 for a 10-year period. Academy principal Sr. Camille Panich noted that the reasons for the partnership had been achieved: "Duquesne has helped strengthen the Academy and position it for long-term success". Duquesne University president Charles J. Dougherty
likewise noted that "our partnership agreement for administrative services is concluding with a stronger Vincentian Academy".
Though the formal partnership has ended, some of the benefits that Duquesne University afforded to students, including use of the university's library and science facilities, will continue.
. A press release by the school noted that Fedko would be operating in the role of "Chief Communicator", and principal Sr. Camille Panich noted that he would be working to "help generate even greater awareness of our academy."
dates from the founding of Vincentian High School, and so retains that wording.
The current alma mater, which was instituted in 2007, carries the same tune but to different words.
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...
college preparatory school
University-preparatory school
A university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school is a secondary school, usually private, designed to prepare students for a college or university education...
near Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is a Roman Catholic diocese. It was established in Western Pennsylvania on August 11, 1843. The diocese includes 211 parishes in the counties of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence, and Washington, an area of with a Catholic population of 719,801...
.
Campus
The Academy comprises three buildings housed on a 67 acres (271,139.6 m²) campus in McCandless Township, a north suburb of Pittsburgh. There is an approximate 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio, and the enrollment as of the 2006–2007 school year consisted of 60 freshmen, 49 sophomores, 59 juniors, and 74 seniors, a total of 242 students.Academics
Vincentian Academy maintains 100 percent university placement. Vincentian is one of twelve schools in Pennsylvania that offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma ProgramIB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
.
The IB Program
At Vincentian Academy approximately 80 percent of all juniors and seniors take some IB courses. These courses include anything from IB Higher Level Biology to IB Standard Level Mathematics. Overall, 84 percent of all those students taking IB exams pass. Over the past eight years Vincentian IB diploma candidates have achieved an 82 percent pass rate, which is higher than the world pass rate of 78 percent, and significantly higher than the United States pass rate of approximately 75 percent.History
The school was founded by the Vincentian Sisters in 1932 as Vincentian High School. It began an affiliation with Duquesne UniversityDuquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
in 1995, whereupon it adopted the International Baccalaureate curriculum; the affiliation, during which the school was known as Vincentian Academy–Duquesne University, ended in June 2010.
Affiliation with Duquesne University
Early in the 1990s, Duquesne University president Dr. John E. Murray was investigating the possibility of a high school for Duquesne, disturbed by contemporary reports that American high schools were inferior to schools in Europe, Asia, and even third-world countries. Reasoning that a university-affiliated school could be a model for the region and offer an advanced curriculum and integrate the resources of a major university into its operation, Murray explored the possibility as an extension of Duquesne's SpiritanHoly Ghost Fathers
The Congregation of the Holy Spirit is a Roman Catholic congregation of priests, lay brothers, and since Vatican II, lay associates...
tradition of often unconventional leadership.
Dialogue with the Vincentian Sisters began in 1993; an agreement was finalized 1994, and the inaugurating class was set to enroll in 1995, with Dean Derek Whordley of the Duquesne University School of Education
Duquesne University School of Education
The School of Education is one of the ten constituent colleges that compromise Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1929, the school was organized by Holy Ghost Father and future university president Raymond V. Kirk, who led the school until 1940...
to be president of the new school. In September 1995, Vincentian Academy–Duquesne University became officially operational, and 31 new Academy students were assimilated into the high school classes. A slow expansion was planned, with the new Academy gradually replacing the old Vincentian High School.
The International Baccalaureate program was selected as the new Academy's curriculum because of its international appeal and academic quality. Moreover, it would be an attractive venue for university researchers and a unique experience for teachers. In adopting the IB, Vincentian Academy-Duquesne University became the only Catholic IB school in the world that was part of a major university.
End of university affiliation
In late January 2010, Duquesne University announced that it would be ending its 15-year partnership with Vincentian Academy. As such, Duquesne no longer has a part in performing administrative duties, nor will it determine a president for the school. The split became effective on June 30, 2010.Duquesne University had begun to provide administrative support services for Vincentian in 1995 for a five-year period, whereafter the partnership agreement was renewed in 2001 for a 10-year period. Academy principal Sr. Camille Panich noted that the reasons for the partnership had been achieved: "Duquesne has helped strengthen the Academy and position it for long-term success". Duquesne University president Charles J. Dougherty
Charles J. Dougherty
Charles J. Dougherty is the current President of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. An expert in the field of health care ethics, Dougherty has published two books on the subject.-Personal life:...
likewise noted that "our partnership agreement for administrative services is concluding with a stronger Vincentian Academy".
Though the formal partnership has ended, some of the benefits that Duquesne University afforded to students, including use of the university's library and science facilities, will continue.
New president
On July 21, 2011, it was announced that Vincentian had appointed as its new president local media personality John FedkoJohn Fedko
John Fedko is an American sportscaster. He is a sports director and anchor for Channel 11 Pittsburgh . Fedko reports for Channel 11 News at 6 and 11 PM, and hosts The Fedko Fone Zone, a local sports call-in show on Pittsburgh Cable News Channel .Fedko was voted "Pittsburgh's favorite sportscaster"...
. A press release by the school noted that Fedko would be operating in the role of "Chief Communicator", and principal Sr. Camille Panich noted that he would be working to "help generate even greater awareness of our academy."
Alma mater
The original school's alma materAlma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
dates from the founding of Vincentian High School, and so retains that wording.
- Hail! All hail, our dear Vincentian High School
- We greet thee, our Alma Mater dear
- Safe are we e're guided by thy rule
- Thy mandate we gratefully revere
- In thy realm protection can be found
- Virtue, science, learning prevail
- May thy praise throughout all days be found
- Noble Queen, thee we hail
The current alma mater, which was instituted in 2007, carries the same tune but to different words.
- Oh, Vincentian! We hail our alma mater
- Blue and gold, the colors we hold dear
- Mind, heart, spirit, guided by our Father
- Friendships formed will last throughout the years
- Honesty, respect, and human kindness
- Tempered with a pride in quality
- Integrity, and faith in God define us
- Oh, Vincentian! We hail thee