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Holy Cross High School (Waterbury, Connecticut)
Encyclopedia
Holy Cross High School is a Catholic
secondary school founded in Waterbury, Connecticut
in 1968 by the Congregation of Holy Cross. Presently, Holy Cross is the largest Catholic secondary school in Connecticut, situated on thirty seven acres in the West End of Waterbury, Connecticut, accessible via Route 8 and I-84. It is not part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford
.
Holy Cross has a total enrollment of just under 800 students and an average class size of 200 students. Originally an all-boys institution, it became co-educational in 1975 when it merged with the Waterbury Catholic High School
, an all-girls school. The Holy Cross High School campus maintains a computer-equipped, Internet-connected library, a large instrumental and choral music room with adjacent practice rooms, science labs, a foreign language lab, a guidance complex, a 750-seat tiered auditorium, a full-service cafeteria, a gymnasium, the Stephen J. Ross Fitness Center, and state-of-the-art digital classrooms and art studios in a newly constructed two million dollar Art and Technology Center.
's vision through sponsorship and staffing of the school, in association with the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame
and many dedicated lay men and women. The administration and faculty comprise two Brothers, two Sisters and lay men and women, most of whom hold advanced degrees and/or certificates of advanced study.
Holy Cross High School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
and meets Connecticut certification standards. The School belongs to the National Catholic Education Association and the Connecticut Association of Schools
.
in 1997, increasing classroom periods to 80 minutes.
, Social Studies
, Mathematics
, Science
, Foreign Languages
and Theology
. Enrichment courses and specialized programs include:
Holy Cross is a member of the Naugatuck Valley League
(NVL) and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Council
(CIAC). The Holy Cross athletic program is respected statewide for its competitiveness and the positive attitudes and good sportsmanship of its players and coaches. The Crusaders have a history of success as evidenced by the many awards, acknowledgments, and trophies displayed throughout the building. The Crusaders compete in twenty two varsity sports for boys and girls.
Holy Cross High School is well known in Connecticut
for its football
program. Michael Giampetruzzi, head coach of the team, with the help of his staff, they has led the team to the first football state championship in Holy Cross High School's history, the Class SS State Championship, defeating Stratford 40-0. This win finalized their title as third in the state, following Greenwich and Ansonia.
ability. More than thirty co-curricular organizations exist in conjunction with a well-respected Student Government. The Student Government at Holy Cross includes an Executive Board made of four elected class officers from each class, a liaison from the Presidents' Council, a liaison from the Athletic Council, and seven members of the Senior Life Board appointed by the institution's administration. The Student Government also consists of the Presidents Council, which is made up of the president from every club at Holy Cross and the Athletic Council, which contains various members of the school's many athletic teams. This large Student Government is headed by one Student Government President who is elected at the end of his or her Junior year by that years Executive Board to preside over the following year.
Community service
is a major component of every Club and Committee’s activities. Some projects are school-wide while others are particular to the organization. Holy Cross has a history of strong student leadership and community service as evidenced by their recognition as a State of Connecticut
Gold Council of Excellence recipient and as a National Gold Council of Excellence designee.
gifts for senior citizens, or even getting a pep rally
started, the students maintain positive attitudes throughout any activity they come to.
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
secondary school founded in Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City...
in 1968 by the Congregation of Holy Cross. Presently, Holy Cross is the largest Catholic secondary school in Connecticut, situated on thirty seven acres in the West End of Waterbury, Connecticut, accessible via Route 8 and I-84. It is not part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford is a particular church of the Latin Rite in Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut. The archdiocese includes about 700,000 Catholics, more than 500 priests, 216 parishes and almost 300 deacons. This is roughly one-half the population of...
.
Holy Cross has a total enrollment of just under 800 students and an average class size of 200 students. Originally an all-boys institution, it became co-educational in 1975 when it merged with the Waterbury Catholic High School
Waterbury Catholic High School
Waterbury Catholic High School was a Catholic secondary school founded in 1926 in Waterbury, Connecticut by the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal, Canada....
, an all-girls school. The Holy Cross High School campus maintains a computer-equipped, Internet-connected library, a large instrumental and choral music room with adjacent practice rooms, science labs, a foreign language lab, a guidance complex, a 750-seat tiered auditorium, a full-service cafeteria, a gymnasium, the Stephen J. Ross Fitness Center, and state-of-the-art digital classrooms and art studios in a newly constructed two million dollar Art and Technology Center.
Admission
Admission to the school is competitive, requiring a 3.5 hour placement test, a transcript from applicant's grammar school (including a letter of recommendation), and an essay. Additionally, once admitted, students have the opportunity to take proficiency tests in mathematics and/or foreign language to advance their freshman year placing. Tuition is currently $8,750 and tends to rise each year. Holy Cross awards several scholarships each year. These include three full scholarships and two partials. Financial Aid is also given to those in need in the form of grants. Holy Cross also has an installment program so that parents can pay tuition in increments over the academic year.Academics
Holy Cross aims to prepares students for college placement and a successful professional life while stimulating intellectual and spiritual growth. The Vice Principal for Academics and the Guidance Department attempt to recommend courses based on students' educational background, ability, needs and maturity. The curriculum is structured so that students' interests and abilities are recognized.Faculty and accreditation
The Brothers of Holy Cross, Eastern Province, continue Basil MoreauBasil Moreau
The Blessed Father Basil Anthony Marie Patrice Moreau, CSC was the French priest who founded the Congregation of Holy Cross from which three additional congregations were founded, namely the Marianites of Holy Cross, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, and the Sisters of Holy Cross...
's vision through sponsorship and staffing of the school, in association with the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame
Congregation of Notre Dame
The Congregation of Notre Dame was founded in 1653 by Marguerite Bourgeoys in Montreal, Canada. This was one of the first non-cloistered communities. The community's motherhouse has continued to be based in Montreal...
and many dedicated lay men and women. The administration and faculty comprise two Brothers, two Sisters and lay men and women, most of whom hold advanced degrees and/or certificates of advanced study.
Holy Cross High School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. is the U.S. regional accreditation association providing educational accreditation for all levels of education, from pre-kindergarten to the doctoral level, in the six-state New England region. It also provides accreditation for some...
and meets Connecticut certification standards. The School belongs to the National Catholic Education Association and the Connecticut Association of Schools
Connecticut Association of Schools
The Connecticut Association of Schools and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference is the governing body for secondary school athletics and other interscholastic competition in the state of Connecticut.- History :...
.
Block scheduling
To allow classes to delve more deeply into subject matter and increase activity-based and group-oriented learning, the school began Block SchedulingBlock scheduling
Block scheduling is a type of academic scheduling in which each student has fewer classes per day but each class is scheduled for a longer period of time . A student might be taking 7 different classes, but only 4 per day, and the specific daily classes would rotate through a changing daily cycle...
in 1997, increasing classroom periods to 80 minutes.
Core program
The curriculum is continually evolving to remain current with trends and educational standards. Core academic classes include EnglishEnglish studies
English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S.,...
, Social Studies
Social studies
Social studies is the "integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence," as defined by the American National Council for the Social Studies...
, Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, Foreign Languages
Foreign language
A foreign language is a language indigenous to another country. It is also a language not spoken in the native country of the person referred to, i.e. an English speaker living in Japan can say that Japanese is a foreign language to him or her...
and Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
. Enrichment courses and specialized programs include:
- Advanced Placement - courses in English, Mathematics, Foreign Languages, Social Studies, Art and Science.
- Honors Program - provides qualified students with extended requirements.
- Elective Courses - are offered in Creative Writing, Journalism, Concert Band, Choir, Computer Programming, Technology, Fine Arts and Art and Film.
- First Year Program - helps freshmen focus on study skills, daily planning, time management, self-esteem, peer pressure and relationships, test taking strategies and early career planning.
- PU Cooperative Program - allows qualified seniors to take college courses on Post University'sPost UniversityPost University is a small university located in Waterbury, Connecticut. Post University was established in 1890. Prior to May 1990, it was known as Post College...
nearby campus.
Athletics
Naugatuck Valley League
The Naugatuck Valley League is a 14-team athletic conference of high schools, located in the Naugatuck River Valley of Connecticut....
(NVL) and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Council
Connecticut Association of Schools
The Connecticut Association of Schools and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference is the governing body for secondary school athletics and other interscholastic competition in the state of Connecticut.- History :...
(CIAC). The Holy Cross athletic program is respected statewide for its competitiveness and the positive attitudes and good sportsmanship of its players and coaches. The Crusaders have a history of success as evidenced by the many awards, acknowledgments, and trophies displayed throughout the building. The Crusaders compete in twenty two varsity sports for boys and girls.
Football
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
for its football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
program. Michael Giampetruzzi, head coach of the team, with the help of his staff, they has led the team to the first football state championship in Holy Cross High School's history, the Class SS State Championship, defeating Stratford 40-0. This win finalized their title as third in the state, following Greenwich and Ansonia.
Boys basketball
Holy Cross High School has a rich tradition in basketball. Since beginning varsity play in 1970-71, the Crusaders have captured thirteen NVL titles, made nine state final appearances and won three state championships (1987-88 Class LL, 1994-95 Class LL and 1999-2000 Class L). There is a strong rivalry against Sacred Heart High School, its inter-city rival located a few miles away. Chants such as "We Got Houses" are often heard at Holy Cross and Sacred Heart games.Girls basketball
The girls have a strong tradition of their own. They have captured twelve NVL championships, made four state final appearances, and have one State Title to their name (2006-07 Class M).Student activities
Holy Cross student activities are open to all students. Student activities offer the opportunity to explore lessons presented in class, learn new skills and develop leadershipLeadership
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.-Theories:...
ability. More than thirty co-curricular organizations exist in conjunction with a well-respected Student Government. The Student Government at Holy Cross includes an Executive Board made of four elected class officers from each class, a liaison from the Presidents' Council, a liaison from the Athletic Council, and seven members of the Senior Life Board appointed by the institution's administration. The Student Government also consists of the Presidents Council, which is made up of the president from every club at Holy Cross and the Athletic Council, which contains various members of the school's many athletic teams. This large Student Government is headed by one Student Government President who is elected at the end of his or her Junior year by that years Executive Board to preside over the following year.
Community service
Community service
Community service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
is a major component of every Club and Committee’s activities. Some projects are school-wide while others are particular to the organization. Holy Cross has a history of strong student leadership and community service as evidenced by their recognition as a State of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
Gold Council of Excellence recipient and as a National Gold Council of Excellence designee.
Clubs and organizations
| Art Club | Athletic Council | Au Chocolat | Audio-Visual | Bowling | Chess Club |
| Comedy Club | Crosstones | Dance Club | Debating Team | Diversity Club | Extreme Sports |
| Fashion Club | Film Club | Fine Arts Exploration | Freshmen Committee | Girls Choir | Green Thumb Club |
| Guitar Ensemble | Holy Cross T.V. | Jazz Band | Junior Committee | Mock Trial Team | Model UN |
| National Honor Society | Pep Band | Photography Club | Presidents Council | S.A.D.D. | S.A.F.E. |
| Senior Committee | Sophomore Committee | Student Ambassadors | Student Council | Student Theatre | Table Tennis |
| Ultimate Frisbee | Visions | Yearbook | Yoga Club |
Extracurricular activities
Holy Cross students not only participate outside of school, but are very dedicated to school spirit on the inside as well. Along with activities such as preparing ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
gifts for senior citizens, or even getting a pep rally
Pep rally
Pep rallies are events that occur primarily in the United States and Canada. A pep rally is a gathering of people, typically students of middle school, high school and college age, before a sports event. The purpose of such a gathering is to encourage school spirit and to support members of the...
started, the students maintain positive attitudes throughout any activity they come to.