Assumption Preparatory School
Encyclopedia
Assumption Preparatory School (for a while previously known as Assumption High School) was an American secondary
boarding school
located in Worcester, Massachusetts
, and operated by the Catholic order Augustinians of the Assumption. It was closely associated with Assumption College
: both trace their beginnings to 1904, when they were founded by French
clergymen with the assistance of French-speaking Americans
.
The school shared its campus with Assumption College, and grew in size, reaching 400 students at one point, and reputation, benefiting intellectually from its co-location with the college. Instruction was French-oriented and often given in the French language
, with class groupings referred to as "Eléments" and great importance given to the learning of French, Franco-American culture, and French Canadian culture, in addition to Catholic teachings. Following French custom, classes were held on Saturday mornings, but not on Thursday or Saturday afternoons. Philosophically, the priests at the school emphasized using rational analysis in the pursuit of truth. School authorities behaved in a firm but fairly reasonable manner. Basketball was the most popular sport at the school.
Among the graduates of Assumption Preparatory School was the future U.S. Senator from Alaska
and 2008 presidential candidate
Mike Gravel
in 1949.
In 1953, a tornado destroyed the campus. The College was moved to a different site within Worcester, but the Preparatory School was rebuilt on the same spot. The 1960s saw financial troubles, dwindling enrolment, and an aging staff. Assumption Preparatory School was as a result closed in June 1970.
The physical campus of the school subsequently became part of Quinsigamond Community College
. Assumption Preparatory School graduates are included in the alumni activities of Assumption College, which is still in operation.
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
located in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, and operated by the Catholic order Augustinians of the Assumption. It was closely associated with Assumption College
Assumption College
Assumption College is a private, Roman Catholic, liberal arts college located on 185 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts. Assumption has an enrollment of about 2,117 undergraduates...
: both trace their beginnings to 1904, when they were founded by French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
clergymen with the assistance of French-speaking Americans
French American
French Americans or Franco-Americans are Americans of French or French Canadian descent. About 11.8 million U.S. residents are of this descent, and about 1.6 million speak French at home.An additional 450,000 U.S...
.
The school shared its campus with Assumption College, and grew in size, reaching 400 students at one point, and reputation, benefiting intellectually from its co-location with the college. Instruction was French-oriented and often given in the French language
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, with class groupings referred to as "Eléments" and great importance given to the learning of French, Franco-American culture, and French Canadian culture, in addition to Catholic teachings. Following French custom, classes were held on Saturday mornings, but not on Thursday or Saturday afternoons. Philosophically, the priests at the school emphasized using rational analysis in the pursuit of truth. School authorities behaved in a firm but fairly reasonable manner. Basketball was the most popular sport at the school.
Among the graduates of Assumption Preparatory School was the future U.S. Senator from Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and 2008 presidential candidate
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
Mike Gravel
Mike Gravel
Maurice Robert "Mike" Gravel is a former Democratic United States Senator from Alaska, who served two terms from 1969 to 1981, and a former candidate in the 2008 presidential election....
in 1949.
In 1953, a tornado destroyed the campus. The College was moved to a different site within Worcester, but the Preparatory School was rebuilt on the same spot. The 1960s saw financial troubles, dwindling enrolment, and an aging staff. Assumption Preparatory School was as a result closed in June 1970.
The physical campus of the school subsequently became part of Quinsigamond Community College
Quinsigamond Community College
Quinsigamond Community College is a public, two-year academic institution in Worcester, Massachusetts. A commuter school, the college has an enrollment of over 8,000 students in its Associate's degree and certification programs...
. Assumption Preparatory School graduates are included in the alumni activities of Assumption College, which is still in operation.