Paul VI Catholic High School
Encyclopedia
Paul VI Catholic High School (known as "PVI") is a Roman Catholic
college preparatory school
in Fairfax, Virginia
.
The school is named for Pope Paul VI
, and is located in southwest Fairfax. It currently competes in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference
and has a high-profile athletic rivalry with Bishop O'Connell High School
in Arlington.
Paul VI opened its doors for the 1983-84 school year, accepting freshmen and sophomore students only. The next year (1984–85), the school was open to freshmen through juniors, and 1985-86 saw the first senior class. The
Diocese of Arlington purchased the school building, then in a dilapidated condition, from George Mason University
, which had owned it for about a decade. The structure was the original Fairfax High School
, which opened in 1936 and relocated to a new facility in January 1972. One wing of the building housed Alzheimer patients until the school's third year.
During its first years, the school was ministered by five Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
, who also taught classes, and one of whom (Don Heet) served as the principal. The remainder of the faculty was lay
teachers. In 2000 the school selected its first principal who was not from the De Sales order, Philip Robey, who stepped down seven years later. The current principal is Virginia Colwell, a former English teacher at Paul VI. The team name "Panther
s" was chosen by a vote of the student body during the first year. The original school colors were Brown and Gold until the 1999-2000 school year, when the school moved away from brown in favor of black, which was considered more stylish by the students.
Mission Statement: The mission of Paul VI Catholic High School is to provide an excellent Catholic education to young men and women by affording them the means to achieve spiritual, intellectual, personal, social, and physical development according to the teachings of the Gospel and St. Francis de Sales. Paul VI Catholic High School is committed to graduating responsible, moral, service-oriented young adults who will continue to “grow in grace and wisdom.”
The expansion was the result of five years of planning and fund-raising by the school to refurbish its grounds. After a generous grant from the Diocese of Arlington, school officials were able to address some needed repairs on the old building. Before actual construction began on the activity center in winter 2001, air conditioning was installed in the current building and the current school locker rooms were torn down.
The two-story addition was completed for the 2003-04 school-year and added a new gymnasium, locker rooms, computer lab, coaches' offices and a wrestling room.
AP Courses offered include: Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science A, English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, European History, French, German Language, Latin Literature, Macroeconomics, Music Theory, Psychology, Statistics, Studio Art: 2-D Design, Studio Art: Drawing, United States Government and Politics, United States History.
Faculty with Advanced Degrees:
55 Masters Degrees,4 PhD, 1 MD, 1 CPA
Academic Facts:
Basketball
Levi Franklin, Jr. left the Paul VI coaching staff as to become an assistant coach at Robert Morris University
. He is responsible for coaching the post players as well as serving as one of the program's top recruiters. Over his six years at PVI he posted an overall record of 120-62 (.659), averaging 20 wins per season. He guided Paul VI Catholic to the WCAC Tri-League championship in 2002-03 as well as two second place overall finishes in the WCAC (2003–04 and 2005–06). Franklin also led PVI to three semifinal appearances as well as one championship game of the WCAC Tournament.
The new head coach for the 2007-08 season is Glenn Farello, the coach with a 163-68 record at Eleanor Roosevelt (MD) over nine years as head coach (he spent an additional five as an assistant there). At Roosevelt, Farello won four Maryland Regional titles, and one state crown (2002). Thirty five of his players have gone on to play college ball, while 10 have competed professionally.
Baseball
Playing in one of the toughest high school baseball conferences in the mid-Atlantic region, the baseball program at "PVI" has become a nationally recognized, area powerhouse with a record of 121-32 and seven Championship titles over the past half decade (2004–2008). The PVI Panthers play in the ultra-competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC). Every year since 2000, the WCAC has produced at least one nationally ranked baseball team and on several occasions; multiple teams. PVI baseball also competes for the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) State Championship at the end of each season. The VISAA State Tournament includes the top eight private school baseball teams in the State of Virginia. Several Major League Players are alumni of the VISAA State Tourney including BJ Upton of the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Panthers were ranked as high as #6 in the nation by USA Today in 2008 and ranked as high as #3 by Rise Magazine. They finished the 2008 season with a record of 27-3, captured the Southeastern Baseball Classic Championship, the VISAA State Championship and ended the year ranked as high as 12th in the nation by several publications. The program has produced several All-Met, All-State and All-American players along with sending 33 players to college baseball since 2003. 21 PVI Alums are currently playing in college. Many are at major Division I programs that participated in the 2008 NCAA Tournament such as Georgia, St. John's, East Carolina, Rider and Mount St. Mary's.
Head Coach Billy Emerson has an overall record of 138-44 at the school since arriving in 2003. He has been named coach of the year multiple times by the Washington Post, Washington Examiner, his fellow WCAC coaches and the VISAA. In 2008 he was also named Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year by the National H.S. Baseball Coaches Association and was one of 8 finalists for National H.S. Coach of the year.
2004: (17-12) REGULAR SEASON: 2nd place in the WCAC South - POST SEASON: WCAC Tournament Quarterfinalists, VISAA State Champions
2005: (26-5) REGULAR SEASON: WCAC South Champs - POST SEASON: WCAC Tournament finalists, VISAA State Semifinalists (Nationally ranked as high as #17)
2006: (24-8) REGULAR SEASON: 3rd place in the WCAC (north/south divisions no longer in place) - POST SEASON: WCAC Tournament Finalists, VISAA State Finalists
2007: (27-4) REGULAR SEASON: 1st place in the WCAC - POST SEASON: WCAC Tournament Champs, VISAA State Semifinalists (Nationally ranked as high as #41)
2008: (27-3) REGULAR SEASON: 1st place in the WCAC Southeastern Baseball Classic Champs- POST SEASON: WCAC Tournament Semifinalists, VISAA State Champions (Nationally Ranked as high as #3)
PVI Baseball Website: http://www.pvibaseball.com
Football
1999 WCAC Varsity Football Champions
's nephew, was actually Anoushirvan Fakhran, a 27-year-old porn actor from Tehran
, Iran
. After repeated truancy
by Fakhran, school officials contacted DreamWorks
to see if Spielberg had any information about his "nephew". When it was discovered that Steven Spielberg only had nieces, a police investigation followed. Fakhran was arrested and later pleaded guilty to forgery. Fakhran was sentenced to two years and eleven months of probation, ordered to perform 100 hours of community service, and was barred from having contact with minors.
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
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...
in Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
.
The school is named for Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
, and is located in southwest Fairfax. It currently competes in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference
Washington Catholic Athletic Conference
The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference or WCAC is a major high school athletic league for boys, girls, and co-ed Catholic high schools located around and in Washington, DC, USA...
and has a high-profile athletic rivalry with Bishop O'Connell High School
Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School
Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School was founded in 1957 in Arlington County, Virginia. It was operated by the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, but has been under the direction of the Diocese of Arlington since 1974. The school is named for Bishop Denis J...
in Arlington.
Paul VI opened its doors for the 1983-84 school year, accepting freshmen and sophomore students only. The next year (1984–85), the school was open to freshmen through juniors, and 1985-86 saw the first senior class. The
Diocese of Arlington purchased the school building, then in a dilapidated condition, from George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
, which had owned it for about a decade. The structure was the original Fairfax High School
Fairfax High School (Fairfax, Virginia)
Fairfax High School is a public high school in Fairfax, Virginia. The school is owned by the City of Fairfax, but is operated by Fairfax County Public Schools, as part of a contractual agreement....
, which opened in 1936 and relocated to a new facility in January 1972. One wing of the building housed Alzheimer patients until the school's third year.
During its first years, the school was ministered by five Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales are a congregation of Roman Catholic priests and brothers who base their spirituality on the teachings of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (Latin: Oblati Sancti Francisci Salesii, O.S.F.S.) are a congregation of...
, who also taught classes, and one of whom (Don Heet) served as the principal. The remainder of the faculty was lay
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
teachers. In 2000 the school selected its first principal who was not from the De Sales order, Philip Robey, who stepped down seven years later. The current principal is Virginia Colwell, a former English teacher at Paul VI. The team name "Panther
Black panther
A black panther is typically a melanistic color variant of any of several species of larger cat. Wild black panthers in Latin America are black jaguars , in Asia and Africa they are black leopards , and in North America they may be black jaguars or possibly black cougars A black panther is...
s" was chosen by a vote of the student body during the first year. The original school colors were Brown and Gold until the 1999-2000 school year, when the school moved away from brown in favor of black, which was considered more stylish by the students.
Mission Statement: The mission of Paul VI Catholic High School is to provide an excellent Catholic education to young men and women by affording them the means to achieve spiritual, intellectual, personal, social, and physical development according to the teachings of the Gospel and St. Francis de Sales. Paul VI Catholic High School is committed to graduating responsible, moral, service-oriented young adults who will continue to “grow in grace and wisdom.”
2001-03 Expansion
On May 9, 2001 Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde led a parade of civic and school officials at the groundbreaking for a new $6.5 million student activity center. The new center included a gathering space for the entire student body, three classrooms, gymnasium, locker rooms, weight room, movable stage, storage for athletic and stage equipment, offices, laundry facilities and concession stand.The expansion was the result of five years of planning and fund-raising by the school to refurbish its grounds. After a generous grant from the Diocese of Arlington, school officials were able to address some needed repairs on the old building. Before actual construction began on the activity center in winter 2001, air conditioning was installed in the current building and the current school locker rooms were torn down.
The two-story addition was completed for the 2003-04 school-year and added a new gymnasium, locker rooms, computer lab, coaches' offices and a wrestling room.
Academics
Advanced Placement Courses:AP Courses offered include: Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science A, English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, European History, French, German Language, Latin Literature, Macroeconomics, Music Theory, Psychology, Statistics, Studio Art: 2-D Design, Studio Art: Drawing, United States Government and Politics, United States History.
Faculty with Advanced Degrees:
55 Masters Degrees,4 PhD, 1 MD, 1 CPA
Academic Facts:
- From the PVI Class of 2009, 97% are attending post-secondary educational institutions; 89% attend four-year colleges and 8% attend two-year colleges
- Over the last 7 years, 68% of the final grades awarded were “B” or higher
- 30% of PVI's current students have earned a 3.5 or better GPA (honor roll)
- The Class of 2009 was awarded $5,101,670.00 in college scholarships
Athletics
PVI's athletic teams compete in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.Basketball
Levi Franklin, Jr. left the Paul VI coaching staff as to become an assistant coach at Robert Morris University
Robert Morris University
Robert Morris University is a private, coeducational university in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1921, the school was named for Robert Morris, who signed the Declaration of Independence, and helped finance the ensuing war with the British.-History:Robert Morris...
. He is responsible for coaching the post players as well as serving as one of the program's top recruiters. Over his six years at PVI he posted an overall record of 120-62 (.659), averaging 20 wins per season. He guided Paul VI Catholic to the WCAC Tri-League championship in 2002-03 as well as two second place overall finishes in the WCAC (2003–04 and 2005–06). Franklin also led PVI to three semifinal appearances as well as one championship game of the WCAC Tournament.
The new head coach for the 2007-08 season is Glenn Farello, the coach with a 163-68 record at Eleanor Roosevelt (MD) over nine years as head coach (he spent an additional five as an assistant there). At Roosevelt, Farello won four Maryland Regional titles, and one state crown (2002). Thirty five of his players have gone on to play college ball, while 10 have competed professionally.
Baseball
Playing in one of the toughest high school baseball conferences in the mid-Atlantic region, the baseball program at "PVI" has become a nationally recognized, area powerhouse with a record of 121-32 and seven Championship titles over the past half decade (2004–2008). The PVI Panthers play in the ultra-competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC). Every year since 2000, the WCAC has produced at least one nationally ranked baseball team and on several occasions; multiple teams. PVI baseball also competes for the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) State Championship at the end of each season. The VISAA State Tournament includes the top eight private school baseball teams in the State of Virginia. Several Major League Players are alumni of the VISAA State Tourney including BJ Upton of the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Panthers were ranked as high as #6 in the nation by USA Today in 2008 and ranked as high as #3 by Rise Magazine. They finished the 2008 season with a record of 27-3, captured the Southeastern Baseball Classic Championship, the VISAA State Championship and ended the year ranked as high as 12th in the nation by several publications. The program has produced several All-Met, All-State and All-American players along with sending 33 players to college baseball since 2003. 21 PVI Alums are currently playing in college. Many are at major Division I programs that participated in the 2008 NCAA Tournament such as Georgia, St. John's, East Carolina, Rider and Mount St. Mary's.
Head Coach Billy Emerson has an overall record of 138-44 at the school since arriving in 2003. He has been named coach of the year multiple times by the Washington Post, Washington Examiner, his fellow WCAC coaches and the VISAA. In 2008 he was also named Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year by the National H.S. Baseball Coaches Association and was one of 8 finalists for National H.S. Coach of the year.
2004: (17-12) REGULAR SEASON: 2nd place in the WCAC South - POST SEASON: WCAC Tournament Quarterfinalists, VISAA State Champions
2005: (26-5) REGULAR SEASON: WCAC South Champs - POST SEASON: WCAC Tournament finalists, VISAA State Semifinalists (Nationally ranked as high as #17)
2006: (24-8) REGULAR SEASON: 3rd place in the WCAC (north/south divisions no longer in place) - POST SEASON: WCAC Tournament Finalists, VISAA State Finalists
2007: (27-4) REGULAR SEASON: 1st place in the WCAC - POST SEASON: WCAC Tournament Champs, VISAA State Semifinalists (Nationally ranked as high as #41)
2008: (27-3) REGULAR SEASON: 1st place in the WCAC Southeastern Baseball Classic Champs- POST SEASON: WCAC Tournament Semifinalists, VISAA State Champions (Nationally Ranked as high as #3)
PVI Baseball Website: http://www.pvibaseball.com
Football
1999 WCAC Varsity Football Champions
Sports
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Swimming & Diving
- Tennis
- Indoor (Winter) Track
- Track and Field
- Wrestling- do work!
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Cross Country
- Dance Team
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Softball
- Special Olympics Soccer, Basketball, Track
Clubs
- Art Works
- Band—Concert Band, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble
- Orchestra
- Panther Pals—Options Club
- Campus Ministry
- Cappies
- Chess Club
- Computer Competitions Club
- Webcrawlers
- Choir—Concert Choir and Show Choir
- Pizza and God for Girls
- Catholic Athletes for Christ
- Forensics/Debate
- French Club
- French Honor Society
- FYI PVI
- Gaming Club
- German Club
- Guitar Club
- Intramurals
- Italian Club
- International Thespian Society
- It's Academic
- Junior Classical League
- Junior Math League
- Latin Honor Society
- Literary Arts Magazine
- Liturgical Musicians
- Model Judiciary
- Model UN
- Multicultural Club
- Newspaper
- National Honor Society
- PVI Players (Drama)
- Salesian Spirituality
- SGA
- SLATE (Students Looking After the Environment)
- Spanish Club
- Spanish Honor Society
- Student Ambassadors
- Tae Kwon Do
- Table Tennis
- Teens for Life
- VI Man
- Yearbook
- Improv
Notable past students
- Eddie RoyalEddie RoyalWilliam Edward "Eddie" Royal is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League...
- WR, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, NFL. Graduated from Westfield High SchoolWestfield High SchoolThere are several schools named Westfield High School* Westfield High School * Westfield High School * Casey-Westfield High School * Westfield High School... - Owen SchmittOwen Schmitt-Seattle Seahawks:Schmitt was drafted in the fifth round in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He was the second Mountaineer selected in the draft, behind Steve Slaton in the third round to the Houston Texans. Schmitt signed a four-year $1.87 million contract that included a $158,000...
- FB, Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Transferred out - Erick Green - G, Virginia Tech HokiesVirginia Tech HokiesThe Virginia Tech Hokies are the athletic teams officially representing Virginia Tech in college sports. The Hokies participate in the NCAA's Division I Atlantic Coast Conference in 19 varsity sports. Virginia Tech's men's sports are football, basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, soccer,...
Controversy
There was a high profile scandal at PVI in 1999 when it was discovered that 16-year-old student Jonathan Taylor Spielberg, who claimed to be Steven SpielbergSteven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
's nephew, was actually Anoushirvan Fakhran, a 27-year-old porn actor from Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. After repeated truancy
Truancy
Truancy is any intentional unauthorized absence from compulsory schooling. The term typically describes absences caused by students of their own free will, and usually does not refer to legitimate "excused" absences, such as ones related to medical conditions...
by Fakhran, school officials contacted DreamWorks
DreamWorks
DreamWorks Pictures, also known as DreamWorks, LLC, DreamWorks SKG, DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC, DreamWorks Studios or DW Studios, LLC, is an American film studio which develops, produces, and distributes films, video games and television programming...
to see if Spielberg had any information about his "nephew". When it was discovered that Steven Spielberg only had nieces, a police investigation followed. Fakhran was arrested and later pleaded guilty to forgery. Fakhran was sentenced to two years and eleven months of probation, ordered to perform 100 hours of community service, and was barred from having contact with minors.
External links
- Paul VI High School - official site
- Washington Catholic Athletic Conference - official site