Archbishop Curley High School
Encyclopedia
Archbishop Curley High School, is a Roman Catholic men's high school located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore
The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Baltimore is a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. The archdiocese comprises the City of Baltimore as well as Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, and Washington Counties in Maryland...

 in the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. It is affiliated with the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....

 religious order and is named in honor of Archbishop Michael J. Curley (1879–1947), who served as the tenth Archbishop of Baltimore from 1921 to 1947. It was the first Archdiocesan high school in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...

 established exclusively for the education of young men. It is also the brother school to the neighboring all-girl school, The Catholic High School of Baltimore
The Catholic High School of Baltimore
The Catholic High School of Baltimore is a private, all-girls, Roman Catholic high school in Baltimore, Maryland. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore. It is also the sister school of Archbishop Curley High School.-Background:...

.

Early History

The school was founded in 1960 under the leadership and direction of the late Archbishop Francis Patrick Keough. It opened in September 1961 with a class of 420 freshmen, and was dedicated on April 17, 1962, by Cardinal Lawrence Shehan, Keough's successor.

The school was designed by local architect Edward H. Glidden and is located on a 33 acres (133,546.4 m²) campus on the northeast edge of the City of Baltimore. Built by Cogswell Construction, the main three-story building contains classrooms, labs, administrative, guidance, alumni and development offices, two computer centers, a closed-circuit TV station, and the guidance resource center. Attached to the central structure are eight wings that house the chapel, auditorium, gymnasium, student dining room, the Fitness Center, the Fine Arts Center, the library multi-media center and Advancement Offices, and the Friary, which is the residence of the Franciscan Friars at Archbishop Curley.

The first Head of School was Fr. Aloysius Balcerak, OFM Conv., who welcomed the first students to Curley as their Principal. The school's first graduating class matriculated in 1965.

In December 1969, under second principal Fr. Robert Grzybowski, the Lawrence Cardinal Shehan Library and Multi-Media Instructional Center was dedicated. It was the first building in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to be named after Cardinal Shehan who had been a long time friend and supporter of the school.

Growth and Development

Archbishop Curley High School celebrated its 25th Anniversary during the 1985-1986 school year under principal Fr. Gregory Hartmayer
Gregory John Hartmayer
Gregory John Hartmayer, O.F.M. Conv. is an American priest and prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. A Conventual Franciscan, he was appointed the fourteenth Bishop of Savannah by Pope Benedict XVI on July 19, 2011...

 (currently Bishop of Savannah
Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the southern United States comprising the southern counties of the state of Georgia...

). During that year, a smaller wing was added onto the building to house the instrumental music department facilities, including a concert practice room. Additional athletic facilities were added in an adjacent wing, including the weight room and wrestling room.
In 1994, the school welcomed its first Head of School to also be an alumnus. Fr. Donald Grzymski, OFM Conv. graduated from Curley in 1970 and returned now to serve as principal. Fr. Grzymski's tenure as principal is most notable for transitioning the school to a president-principal model, where he would continue on as Head of School in the role of the Curley's first president. Under the leadership of Fr. Grzymski, the school undertook its first capital campaign, "Endowing Our Tradition," with the funds benefiting Curley's endowment. By 1996, Fr. Michael Martin, OFM Conv. '79 had joined Grzymski in the Administration as the school's principal.

By the year 2000, a shift had begun to take place among the faculty and staff. Three notable educators who had served since 1962 all retired after over 30 years each. As Mr. E. Patrick Maloney, Mr. Richard "Coach" Patry, and eventually Mr. Albert E. Frank all departed the school, a new trend was beginning to emerge. Alumni were increasingly returning to teach and work at their alma mater. By the dawn of the 21st Century, the school boasted over a dozen men who had come home to serve Curley again, both in leadership offices and in the classroom.

21st Century Expansion

At turn of the century, with the endowment secured, the campus grounds were revamped with new fencing, a concession stand, and a new bowl stadium with terraced seating. After the completion of the Bowl project, Grzymski stepped down as president and Martin was appointed to succeed him. Martin would in turn be replaced as principal by Mr. Barry Brownlee. Brownlee had previously served as assistant principal under Martin, and was the first lay principal in school history.

At the end of the 2004-2005 school year, the first phase of a major facilities renaissance was begun. The Friary was reconstructed to better reflect the number of religious living on the grounds and the balance of the space provided room for the relocation of the Lawrence Cardinal Shehan Library to the second floor, adjacent to the academic wing of the building. The space previously occupied by the Library was renovated to house a new Fitness Center, with expanded weight training and wrestling room space. A center for the full-time athletic trainer was also added.

A grant provided funds for a rehabilitation of the Auditorium seating and in the summer of 2005, further renovations funded by a capital campaign provided a new faculty dining room, a relocated bookstore, conference rooms and offices for the development director, athletic director and alumni association. The science labs, school roof, tennis courts, and student lockers were also rehabilitated.

Capital Campaign Improvements

Under the theme "In Giving We Receive," an aggressive capital campaign was launched in 2008 to generate funds for improvements to the campus in advance of the school's 50th anniversary in 2011.

In the summer of 2008, a second parking lot was added and the interior roads were renovated, reestablishing the Auditorium lobby as the main entrance of the school. An elevator, making the academic wing ADA accessible, was completed in the spring of 2009. The Auditorium was also temperature-controlled for air-conditioning and heat. Additional renovations have included the Gymnasium, Main Office, Auditorium Lobby, and the Guidance Office.
In May 2009, ground was broken on a $4 million complex, the Holthaus Center for the Fine Arts. The center is named for Gerard E. Holthaus '67, then-CEO of Algeco Scotsman International, who made a $1 million leadership gift to the building campaign. The new facility, completed in May 2010, houses choral and instrumental music practice rooms, as well as storage for Blackfriars' Theatre and space for the Visual Arts Department. Offices for student media and student activities round out the state-of-the-art complex.

Curley celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary during the 2010-2011 school year in honor of its founding in 1960 and its opening in 1961. The theme was "A Year of Jubilee." The capital campaign concluded, with future plans still including a new baseball field (made possible from a land swap with the City), artificial turf for all of the athletic fields, a Field House practice facility, and a second Gymnasium.

Leadership Transitions

After nine years as President, Fr. Michael Martin announced in November 2009 that he was stepping down at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 school year. His successor, nominated by the School Board and the Friars and confirmed by Archbishop Edwin O'Brien
Edwin Frederick O'Brien
Edwin Frederick O'Brien is an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He is the current Pro-Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 29 August 2011...

, is Fr. Joseph Benicewicz '78, OFM Conv.

After assisting Fr. Joe with the transition to the President's Office, Barry Brownlee announced his retirement as Principal. His successor was named as Mr. Philip Piercy. Concurrent to this announcement, Joseph DellaMonica, Vice-President of Finance and Curley's longest-tenured employee (43 years), also announced his retirement. With additional changes in both Assistant Principal offices and Campus Ministry, 2011-2012 marks the largest leadership transition in the school's history.

Franciscan Program

Coordinator - Ms. Cheryl Jose


The Franciscan Program is an interdisciplinary program available to students for their entire four year high school career. Students in the Franciscan Program participate in honors level courses, which emphasize effective speaking and writing skills. Course work includes intense student participation, regular classroom discussion, active listening, innovative and critical thought, and in-depth treatment of material. Students in the Franciscan Program must be prepared to grow as independent learners. At the end of their freshman year, students in the Franciscan Program may be eligible to participate in the Franciscan Scholars, a separate program of high academic rigor that offers students the opportunity to graduate with cum laude recognition on their Maryland state high school diploma.

Additionally, Curley offers courses that prepare students for the Advanced Placement Exam offered by the College Board

College Board
The College Board is a membership association in the United States that was formed in 1900 as the College Entrance Examination Board . It is composed of more than 5,900 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. It sells standardized tests used by academically oriented...

 in the following areas: English Literature/Composition, English Language/Composition, Spanish, French, Biology, Environmental Science, Physics, American History, and Calculus AB. Advanced electives, including Latin and Philosophy, are also available.

Cupertino Program

Coordinator - Mr. John D'Adamo '98


The Cupertino Program is a college preparatory academic program for students working at or near grade-level ability. A student’s placement within the program is evaluated on a regular basis to ensure a challenging and appropriate curriculum. The Cupertino Program, as with the entire academic program at Curley, provides a unique level of flexibility in a student’s course work when compared to other private schools. Students are encouraged to enroll in Honors courses for the subject areas in which they excel while remaining in the Cupertino Program for their other courses. Finally, there are specific programs and events planned throughout the year for Cupertino students directed towards fostering their academic and social development. With these options, students optimize their potential in each subject area and prepare themselves for college and life beyond high school.

Anthony Program

Coordinators - Ms. Kathleen Maskell and Mr. Frank Romeo


A regionally-recognized adapted learning education program, recently reviewed by Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...

, the Anthony Program is a multifaceted college preparatory program that addresses the needs of young men of diverse backgrounds who are at risk for academic difficulties due to a learning difference, lower self-esteem, and/or socio-emotional issues. The goals of the Anthony Program are to individualize learning, to assess progress, to build self-esteem and self-confidence, and to strengthen moral values. Maximum learning potential is achieved through the implementation of cross-curricular behavioral strategies, individualized assessments to measure academic performance, and most importantly, an integrated team-teaching approach.

Academic Departments

Department Chairperson Faculty (Full-Time) Instructors (Part-Time)
Religious Studies Jamie Long '98
  • Br. Daniel Lutolf, OFM Conv.
  • Edward Kratzen
  • Jamey Becker '97
  • Kathleen Maskell
  • Michael Gaffney
  • Phil Piercy
  • Joe Jancuk
  • Fr. Matthew Foley, OFM Conv.
  • Fr. Joseph Benicewicz '78, OFM Conv.
  • English Friar Douglas McMillan, OFM Conv.
  • John D'Adamo '98
  • Gregg Kessler
  • Bobby Picarello
  • Mary Skipper
  • Kathleen Maskell
  • Social Studies Christopher Ogle
  • Nicholas Brownlee '96
  • Frank Romeo
  • Matt Nietubicz '00
  • Brian Davies
  • John Tucker '79
  • John Kogler
  • Science Michael DeMarco
  • Tim Trotta
  • Lynette Trotta
  • Travis Williams
  • Linda Clarke-Tucker

  • -
    Mathematics John Dohler
    • JoAnne Cole
    • Mary Louise Kolb
    • Edward Lawrence
    • Phil Forte
  • Dan Popera
  • Gene Hoffman '69
  • Foreign Language Cheryl Jose
  • Miriam Recinos
  • Catherine Miserendino
  • Franca Gorraz
  • Business & Technology Dan Popera
  • Michael Ziegler

  • -
    Physical Education Marty McGinty
    • Bill Dawson
    • Gene Hoffman '69
    • Sean Murphy

    -
    Fine Arts Michael Gaffney
    • David Stauffer
    • Mark Halcott '97
  • Edward Lawrence
  • Greg Malanowski '70

  • Campus Activities

    Coordinator - Mr. John D'Adamo '98


    The school boasts a large number of clubs and co-curricular activities (over 30) for students to participate in beyond the classroom. Intramural sports provide students an opportunity for informal recreation and competitive play throughout the school year. A comprehensive summer program for both recreation and academic enrichment is also offered annually.

    Campus Ministry

    Director - Fr. Matthew Foley, OFM Conv.


    Curley's Franciscan Youth Ministry program offers students opportunities for prayer, liturgy and fellowship; as well as a commitment to service, social justice, and community outreach.

    Athletics

    Director - Mr. William Dawson

    • Asst. Director - Mr. Sean Murphy

    • Athletic Trainer - Mr. Marty McGinty

    • Team Physician - Dr. David Lumsden '79


    Archbishop Curley High School was a founding member of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association
    Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association
    The Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association is a boys' sports conference for private high schools generally located in the Baltimore metropolitan area but extending to various other regions, including the state's mostly rural Eastern Shore. The MIAA has 27 member schools and offers...

     (MIAA). After the disbanding of the Maryland Scholastic Association (MSA) in 1994, it was Fr. Robert Twele, then Curley's principal, who led the Committee to draft the new organization's constitution and its by-laws. Consequently, championships from 1961 to 1994 are from the MSA and championships from 1995 to the present are from the MIAA.
    Sport Season Head Coach Varsity Conference JV Conference Frosh Conference Varsity Championships
    Soccer Fall Barry Stitz '87 A A A 1968, 1979, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2006
    Football Fall Sean Murphy B B - 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004
    Cross Country Fall Gene Hoffman '69 A A - 1975, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1990, 2002
    Volleyball Fall Joe D'Adamo '70 B A -
    Wrestling Winter Gregg Kessler A A - 1981, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002
    Basketball Winter Andy Bauer B B B 1996, 2001
    Indoor Track Winter Gene Hoffman '69 A A - 1997, 2003, 2005
    Swimming Winter sport inactive - - - 1987, 1988
    Ice Hockey Winter sport inactive - - - 2000, 2001
    Lacrosse Spring John Tucker '79
    John Tucker (lacrosse)
    John Tucker is a retired American professional lacrosse player and the former head coach of the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League.-Playing career:...

     
    B B - 1969, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1986, 2007, 2008
    Track & Field Spring Gene Hoffman '69 A A - 1982, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
    Baseball Spring Tim Norris '78 A A - 1969, 1970, 1978, 1983, 1999, 2001
    Tennis Spring Bobby Picarello B - - 1989, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
    Golf Spring Dave Ball B - -

    Fine Arts & Student Media

    Program Medium Director/Moderator Frequency of Appearance
    Concert Band Instrumental Music David Stauffer two annual school concerts, special events, annual interscholastic competition
    Jazz Ensemble Instrumental Music David Stauffer two annual school concerts, special events, annual interscholastic competition
    Jazz Combo Instrumental Music David Stauffer special events
    Alumni Jazz Instrumental Music David Stauffer "All That Curley Jazz" annually
    Drumline Instrumental Music Rick Reely three annual school pep rallies, special events, annual interscholastic competition
    School Choir Choral Music Michael Gaffney two annual school concerts, special events, school liturgies
    Luminare Choir Choral Music Michael Gaffney special events
    Schola Choral Music Michael Gaffney special events
    Handbell Chorus Choral Music Michael Gaffney Christmas Concert annually
    MasterClass Choral Music Michael Gaffney special arrangement annually
    Blackfriars' Theatre Drama Edward Lawrence one fall stage play and one spring musical annually
    Art Club Visual Arts Mark Halcott '97 annual spring art show
    Visions Literary Magazine Mary Skipper One to Two Issue(s) Annually
    The Cord School Yearbook Cheryl Jose One Issue Annually
    The Curley Chronicle School News Service Greg Malanowski '70 Monthly Issue

    Connection with Franciscan Order

    The School Board established by the Archbishop of Baltimore is responsible for the general operation and management of Archbishop Curley High School. The School Board has continued to entrust the administration of the school to the Franciscan Friars (Order of Friars Minor Conventual) of St. Anthony of Padua Province, who have staffed the school since its inception. There are currently four Franciscan friars on the full-time staff, with one other in-residence. In addition to the Franciscan Friars, the faculty also includes lay teachers.

    Other Affiliations and Recognitions

    The school is accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education and, through 2014, by 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...

    . Beginning in 2010, all Archdiocese of Baltimore schools became accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
    Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
    The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...

    . This new accreditation will replace the MSA process.

    The School Board received the Outstanding Board Award in 2007 from the National Catholic Educational Association
    National Catholic Educational Association
    The National Catholic Educational Association is a private professional educational association of over 200,000 educators in Catholic schools, universities, and religious education programs...

    .

    Head of School

    From 1961 until 1995, the Principal served as Head of School. Beginning in 1995 with its inception, and still today, the position of President serves as Head of School. The Principal still functions in the role of daily school management and as Chief Academic Officer, reporting to the President. A gallery of formal portraits featuring all the past Heads of School is on display in the Auditorium Lobby.
    Head of School Title Years in Office Principal(s)
    Fr. Aloysius Balcerak Principal 1961–1967
    Fr. Robert Grzybowski Principal 1967–1971
    Fr. David Stopyra Principal 1971–1976
    Fr. Leon Krop Principal 1976–1979
    Fr. Linus DeSantis Principal 1979–1981
    Fr. Mark Curesky Principal 1981–1982
    Fr. Xavier Nawrocki Principal 1982–1985
    Fr. Gregory Hartmayer
    Gregory John Hartmayer
    Gregory John Hartmayer, O.F.M. Conv. is an American priest and prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. A Conventual Franciscan, he was appointed the fourteenth Bishop of Savannah by Pope Benedict XVI on July 19, 2011...

     
    Principal 1985–1988
    Fr. Robert Twele Principal 1988–1994
    Fr. Donald Grzymski '70 Principal 1994–1995
    President 1995–2001
    • Fr. Paul Reinhardt (1995–96)
    • Fr. Michael Martin '79 (1996–2001)
    Fr. Michael Martin '79 President 2001–2010
  • Barry Brownlee (2001–2011)
  • Fr. Joseph Benicewicz '78 President 2010–present
  • Barry Brownlee (2001–2011)
  • Philip Piercy (2011–present)

  • Current Administration

    • President - Fr. Joseph Benicewicz, OFM Conv. '78
      • VP: Institutional Advancement - Mr. Barry Stitz '87
      • VP: Operations & Finance - Mr. John Kogler

    • Principal - Mr. Philip Piercy
      • AP: Academics - Mr. Brian Kohler
      • AP: Students - Mr. Jamey Becker '97

    Notable alumni

    Notable Former Students

    • Mickey Cucchiella
      Mickey and Amelia
      Mickey, Amelia & Spiegel is a local radio show that broadcasts out of Baltimore, Maryland, on WIYY, 98Rock . The morning show runs Monday through Friday from 5:30AM-10AM, starring Mickey Cucchiella, Amelia Ryerse and Josh Spiegel with their producer Scott Reardon.-Personalities:*Mickey Cucchiella:...

      , comedian and radio personality, is a morning disc jockey on 98 Rock
      WIYY
      WIYY is a radio station in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, owned by the Hearst Corporation. WIYY broadcasts an Mainstream Rock format that mixes music popular in the modern rock, heavy metal and classic rock genres...

       in Baltimore. He attended Curley for his freshman year.
    • Santino Quaranta
      Santino Quaranta
      Santino Quaranta is an American soccer player.-Youth:Quaranta partially attended Baltimore's Archbishop Curley High School for his freshman and sophomore years, where he started both years, and was recognized as one of the top soccer players in the state...

      , professional soccer player in Major League Soccer
      Major League Soccer
      Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...

      , attended the school his freshman and sophomore years as a starter on Varsity Soccer.
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