St. John's Jesuit High School and Academy is a private, all male Jesuit high school and junior high (Academy) in Toledo, Ohio. Plans for a $4.5 million renovation to the school's commons and surrounding area, set to begin in April of this school year, outline a student union type atmosphere for the commons with a new fine arts wing. The commons will include a student lounge, food court, cafeteria, and a new book and spirit store. The new fine arts wing will include a band room, chorus room, instrument storage, director offices, practice rooms, a small recording studio and the renovated auditorium. The auditorium is being completely renovated with new lecture chairs, lighting and sound equipment, and improved stage; a large set storage room will be included just off the stage for the auditorium as well.
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Schools
St. John's Jesuit Academy
The St. John's Jesuit Academy was started as a pilot program, with its first class of 30 seventh and 30 eighth graders during the 2004-2005 school year. The program has been very successful, and neighboring high schools such as Central Catholic are investigating similar programs. The school's administration has announced its plans to expand the Academy to 50 students. Another addition to the SJ campus may follow to accommodate the successful school.
St. John's Jesuit High School
St. John's Jesuit High School, is an all male, college-prep school with an enrollment of about 800. The school is one of two boys high schools in the Toledo area. The school has won or shared the coveted Toledo City League All Sports Trophy 25 times in the last 30 years.
St. John's College
St. John's College was the original school, founded in downtown Toledo. When the school re-opened years after it closed during the great depression it re-opened as St. John's High School. In 1990, president Don Vettesse, S.J. renamed the school St. John's Jesuit High School.
History
The school was originally founded by a group of Jesuits in Downtown Toledo in 1898. It was very successful business college with a strong performing arts study. The school was home to many successful people including Rev. Karl Joseph Alter of the first graduating class. During the great depression of the economy in the United States however the school closed after many successful years. Later the school would go on to purchase land near a Jesuit grade school named Gesu, this land, on Bancroft Street, near the University of Toledo would be the home to a new St. John's complex. The fund however were never raised and St. Francis de Sales High School was placed there. The original mascot of this new oblate school was the titan in memory of St. John's. When St. John's re-opened on Airport Highway the school took back its mascot and St. Francis de Sales took on the knight as their mascot. The schools now have a famous rivalry in greater Toledo area. In 2004 St. John's added a new school to its offerings. The St. John's Jesuit Academy is a junior high offering 7th and 8th grade curriculum in the high school setting. These students are able to receive high school college-prep credit during their course of study at the Academy. Several private schools in the Toledo area are investing in such schools.
School trademarks
School patron
The School Patron is St. John Berchmans, a Belgian Jesuit who lived in the seventeenth century. His life and beliefs as a Jesuit were featured not so much by unusual, dramatic actions as by the loving practice of fidelity to God in day to day living. John's distinctive mark of sanctity lay in his appreciation of and participation in the ordinary aspects of life. He is an ideal patron, as John demonstrates that one does not have to be a star to be outstanding. Being faithful to work, being willing to involve oneself in activities, being available for others -- accomplishing all this without great fanfare is a very real way to success.[1]
School seal
The School Seal is a modification of the coat of arms of the Loyola family -- the family of the founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius Loyola. In the 15th century the Loyola knights were identified by a coat of arms consisting of two shields. The one shield depicts a cauldron suspended by a chain between two wolves. The wolves, plentiful in the Basque hills of Spain, mark the family as Basques. The cauldron is a symbol of hospitality -- a home which welcomes all. The bands on the opposite shield stand for the Loyola brothers who fought against the invading French in 1321.[2]
School colors
The School Colors are blue and Vegas gold and are hailed in both school songs: the Alma Mater and the fight song. Symbolically, the blue represents filial piety and the gold stands for integrity. Ideally, these virtues of devotion and uprightness will be evidenced in every loyal member of the St. John's Jesuit Community.[3]
Central American Ministries
The Central American Ministries Program or CAM was founded by the school's current president Don Vettese several years ago and recently aligned with The University of Michigan. The program sends SJJ students, along with other students, both High School and college to Central America to work with the poor. Missions include: El Salvador and the Guatemala City Dump. A trip to Guatemala is scheduled for this summer.
Campus ministry
St. John's Campus Ministry Program is run by Rev. Tom Pipp, S.J., Mrs. Jo Chambers, Mr. Greg Richards, Mr. Luke Rosen (music), and Mr. Tom Harms. Additionally, in 2006 the program started a student core-team that helps to organize ministry activities. SJJ Campus Ministry organizes a Mass every morning in the campus's small chapel and feast-Masses for the community in the large chapel. Every day, Campus Ministry holds a Communion service during a selected lunch period and, once a month, the large chapel is open for Eucharistic Adoration.
See also
External links
References
- ^ St. John's Jesuit High School and Academy Bulletin of Information, The School Patron
- ^ St. John's Jesuit High School and Academy Bulletin of Information, The School Seal
- ^ St. John's Jesuit High School and Academy Bulletin of Information, The School Colors
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