St. Augustine College Preparatory School
Encyclopedia
- This article discusses the school in Richland, New Jersey. For other institution of the same name, see St. Augustine's (disambiguation)
St. Augustine College Preparatory School (locally, "St. Augustine [Prep]", and "St. Augustine's") is an all-boys Roman Catholic
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...
four-year high school
Secondary education in the United States
In most jurisdictions, secondary education in the United States refers to the last six or seven years of statutory formal education. Secondary education is generally split between junior high school or middle school, usually beginning with sixth or seventh grade , and high school, beginning with...
located in the Richland
Richland, New Jersey
Richland is an unincorporated area within Buena Vista Township in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP Code 08350....
section of Buena Vista Township
Buena Vista Township, New Jersey
Buena Vista Township is a township located in Atlantic County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 7,570....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. Located on 118 acre (0.47752948 km²) of wooded property, it serves students in ninth through twelfth grade from across South Jersey
South Jersey
South Jersey comprises the southern portions of the U.S. state of New Jersey between the lower Delaware River and the Atlantic Ocean. The designation is a colloquial one, reflecting not only geographical but perceived cultural differences from the northern part of the state, with no official...
under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden
Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden is a particular church or diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, located in New Jersey, United States, and presides over Roman Catholic parishes and schools in the six southern New Jersey counties of Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland,...
. The school has been accredited 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...
Commission on Secondary Schools since 1983. St. Augustine was founded in 1959 by the Order of Saint Augustine
Order of Saint Augustine
The Order of St. Augustine —historically Ordo Eremitarum Sancti Augustini", O.E.S.A.), generally called Augustinians is a Catholic Religious Order, which, although more ancient, was formally created in the thirteenth century and combined of several previous Augustinian eremetical Orders into one...
as a minor seminary
Minor seminary
A minor seminary is a secondary boarding school created for the specific purpose of enrolling teenage boys who have expressed interest in becoming priests. They are generally Roman Catholic institutions, and designed to prepare boys both academically and spiritually for vocations to the priesthood...
to help young men prepare for studies in the priesthood and religious life. The first class was a mixture of seminarians and day students.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 693 students and 53.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE
Full-time equivalent
Full-time equivalent , is a unit to measure employed persons or students in a way that makes them comparable although they may work or study a different number of hours per week. FTE is often used to measure a worker's involvement in a project, or to track cost reductions in an organization...
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.1.
The school's graduating Class of 2010 had an average SAT
SAT
The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization in the United States. It was formerly developed, published, and scored by the Educational Testing Service which still...
score of 1750, and was offered $19 million in scholarships.
History
Established in September 1959, the school's first graduating class was in 1963, and its first Headmaster was Fr. Peter Toscani, OSA. There were 12 students in that class. Classes were first held in the Monastery, which was previously an estate named "Red Oaks". The first school building, Augustinian Hall, consisted of four classrooms, Rooms 1 through 4, and a gymnasium, which opened in 1960. The first expansion included the western wing of Augustinian Hall in 1967-68. The Spina Gymnasium was constructed in 1979-80 and the former gym was converted into classrooms and a chapel. The enrollment ranged between 150 to 210 students for many years.The third expansion of facilities was the construction of the Edith Favretto Scarpa Arts and Sciences Building in 1998. The building houses most of the campus' computer labs, the media center, the library, and additional classrooms. Following that expansion, enrollment had grown from 235 to 550. A minor renovation which replaced the chapel with additional classrooms took place in 2000. The most recent addition to the school is The Louis and Josephine Buondonno Forum, or simply, "The Forum". Following the construction of the new building, enrollment had increased to a remarkable 650 students. In the Forum are the Rodio Gymnasium, the dining hall, The Navone Swimming Pool, weight room, wrestling room, and additional classrooms housing the school's science and health curricula. There is also a student loft next to the game room, which both overlook the main foyer, and are very popular spots for students.
On June 30, 2011, longtime school President Fr. Paul Galetto, OSA, was transferred from his position at Saint Augustine Prep. He was replaced by Fr. Donald Reilly, OSA, previously Prior Provincial of the Villanova province of the Augustinian Order, and previous Chairman of the school's Board of Directors.
Alma mater
In Richland's proud and peaceful glen,Where friends and joy abound,
Stands Alma Mater; home of men,
A treasure nobly found.
Wherever we may chance to be,
Nearby or far from you,
We will not fail eternally
To sing our praises true.
O, Saint Augustine's mighty power
Of our triumphant youth!
Watch over us each hour,
With eyes of love and truth.
And when our days with you are done,
Still guide each grateful son!
Campus
The school's Campus consists of five buildings set over 118 acre (0.47752948 km²) of wooded property. The principal educational facilities are:Augustinian Hall
45 General Classrooms;
Latin/French/Greek/Italian curriculums;
Spina Memorial Gymnasium;
Administrative Offices;
Wireless Internet Access
The Louis & Josephine Buondonno Forum
Dining Hall;
15 General Classrooms;
Greenhouse;
Student Bookstore;
Student Lounge/Recreational Room;
Student Infirmary;
Administrative/Business Offices/Office of the President;
Chapel;
Rodio Gymnasium;
Navone Pool;
Weight-lifting area;
Wrestling arena;
Ergometer Room;
Wireless Internet Access
Edith Favretto Scarpa Arts & Sciences Building
35,000+ Volumes;
Computer Workspaces;
3 General Classrooms;
College Guidance Offices;
Wireless Internet Access
Allegrini Monastery
Residence of the Order of Saint Augustine;
Residence of Rev. Paul Galetto, OSA: President;
Monastery Gardens
Greek Amphitheater
Teaching space for the school's language arts curriculum.
LaRosa Field
Turf Field;
Provides playing space for the school's football, lacrosse & soccer teams
Athletic Fields
5 tennis courts;
1 lacrosse field;
2 practice football/mixed use fields;
2 baseball fields
Patron saint
The school is named in honor of the 4th century saintSaint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
, St. Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo , also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, St. Augoustinos, Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed, was Bishop of Hippo Regius . He was a Latin-speaking philosopher and theologian who lived in the Roman Africa Province...
, one of a few Augustinian friar
Order of Saint Augustine
The Order of St. Augustine —historically Ordo Eremitarum Sancti Augustini", O.E.S.A.), generally called Augustinians is a Catholic Religious Order, which, although more ancient, was formally created in the thirteenth century and combined of several previous Augustinian eremetical Orders into one...
schools in the United States and others throughout the world with this same patron saint. Other English speaking Augustinian Schools with the same patron include one in San Diego and another in Reading (Massachusetts)
Austin Preparatory School
Austin Preparatory School is a co-educational Catholic school located in Reading, Massachusetts. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. It was founded by the Order of Saint Augustine in 1961...
; Colegio San Agustin, Biñan
Colegio San Agustin, Biñan
Colegio San Agustin – Biñan is a Catholic school owned and managed by the Augustinian Friars of the Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu in Biñan, Laguna, Philippines. Its primary and secondary education programs are accredited Level II by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and...
and Colegio San Agustin, Makati
Colegio San Agustin, Makati
Colegio San Agustin – Makati is a private, co-educational Catholic school conducted by the Order of Saint Augustine. It is located on Palm Avenue, Dasmariñas Village, Makati City, Philippines...
in the Philippines; a school in Malta, Irish schools in Dungarvan and New Ross
St Augustine's and Good Counsel College, New Ross
St Augustine's and Good Counsel College,' New Ross, known exclusively as "Good Counsel College" or 'The Counsel' by its students and residents of the local area, is an all-boys secondary school in Ireland which caters for over 850 students. It was founded and is now conducted by the Irish...
; and one in Sydney, Australia. The North American foundation of the order
Order of Saint Augustine
The Order of St. Augustine —historically Ordo Eremitarum Sancti Augustini", O.E.S.A.), generally called Augustinians is a Catholic Religious Order, which, although more ancient, was formally created in the thirteenth century and combined of several previous Augustinian eremetical Orders into one...
dates back to 1796.
Athletics
The Saint Augustine Prep Hermits compete in the National Division of the Cape-Atlantic LeagueCape-Atlantic League
The Cape-Atlantic League is an athletic conference consisting of both parochial and public high schools located in Atlantic County, Cape May County, Cumberland County, and Gloucester County, New Jersey. The Cape-Atlantic League operates under the aegis of the New Jersey State Interscholastic...
, an athletic conference consisting of both parochial and public high schools located in Atlantic County
Atlantic County, New Jersey
-National protected areas:* Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge * Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River -Demographics:...
, Cape May County
Cape May County, New Jersey
-Climate:Being the southernmost point in New Jersey, Cape May has fairly mild wintertime temperatures. Contrary to that, the summertime has lower temperatures than most places in the state, making the county a popular place to escape the heat. It is in zone 7a/7b, which is the same as parts of...
, Cumberland County
Cumberland County, New Jersey
Cumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population is 156,898. Its county seat is Bridgeton. Cumberland County is named for Prince William, Duke of Cumberland....
, and Gloucester County
Gloucester County, New Jersey
Gloucester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 288,288. Its county seat is Woodbury....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. However, The Hermits are set to start competing in the American Conference in each sport, as soon as the scheduling year comes around. The Cape-Atlantic League operates under the aegis of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association is an association of hundreds of New Jersey high schools that regulates high school athletics and holds tournaments and crowns champions in high school sports.-State championships:...
.
The school offers 18 inter-scholastic sports programs, including: football, soccer, cross country, basketball, swimming, ice hockey, wrestling, chess, baseball, golf, tennis, crew, lacrosse, volleyball, fencing, bowling, sailing, ultimate frisbee, rugby, and a new sport for the 2008-09 year, water polo. St. Augustine teams have recently competed in state championships in hockey, tennis, basketball, golf, swimming, soccer, wrestling, and crew.
The swim team has been dominant in South Jersey, has been in the top five swim teams in New Jersey, and in 04-05, was the 4th-ranked swim team in the nation. They won the 06-07 Non-Public A State Title with a 105-65 win against St. Joseph High School, as well as the 07-08 Non-Public A State Title with a 109-61 victory over Seton Hall Preparatory School
Seton Hall Preparatory School
Seton Hall Preparatory School, generally called Seton Hall Prep, is a Roman Catholic boys' high school located in the suburban community of West Orange in Essex County, New Jersey, operating under the supervision of the Archdiocese of Newark...
. The swim team has also produced many individual state champions, along with numerous relay state champions.
The crew team's Lightweight 8+ won both the Stotesbury Cup
Stotesbury Cup
The Stotesbury Cup Regatta, sponsored by the Schuylkill Navy, is "the world's oldest and largest high school rowing competition." It is held annually in mid-May over a two-day period along the Schuylkill River near Boathouse Row in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although there is no official U.S....
Regatta and the Scholastic Rowing Association of America Regatta (commonly referred to as the "Scholastic Nationals") in the 2006 spring season. This is the first national title achieved by St. Augustine Prep.
The Ice Hockey team claimed the 2006-07 Non-Public State Title, defeating St. Peter's Preparatory School
St. Peter's Preparatory School
Saint Peter's Preparatory School is a private all-male Jesuit college-preparatory school located in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA...
3-1 on March 23, 2007, becoming the first ice hockey team in New Jersey history to go undefeated and untied, as well as becoming the first South Jersey school to win the state title in hockey. In the 07-08 season, the team again reached the state finals, but lost to Delbarton School
Delbarton School
Delbarton School is a private all-male Roman Catholic college preparatory school in Morristown, New Jersey, educating young men from 7th to 12th grade. Delbarton is a Catholic independent school directed by the Benedictine monks of St. Mary's Abbey....
5-1. The 2010-11 team went to the state championship, losing in overtime by a score of 3-2 to Delbarton 3-2 at the Prudential Center, despite pulling into a 2-1 lead with minutes to go in the third period.
The soccer team won the 2003 Boys Soccer - South Parochial A with a 2-0 win over Paul VI High School
Paul VI High School
Paul VI High School is a private Catholic high school located in Haddon Township, New Jersey. As there is no post office in Haddon Township, the mailing address is Haddonfield, New Jersey, United States. The school is named in honor of Pope Paul VI, and was founded in 1966. The Paul VI sports and...
in the sectional final. The team was declared State Champion in the 2003 NJSIAA Parochial A Boys' Soccer State Tournament jointly with Delbarton School. The team was the Non-Public A Champion in the 2005 Boys Soccer Non-Public Finals, defeating Seton Hall Preparatory School
Seton Hall Preparatory School
Seton Hall Preparatory School, generally called Seton Hall Prep, is a Roman Catholic boys' high school located in the suburban community of West Orange in Essex County, New Jersey, operating under the supervision of the Archdiocese of Newark...
4-1. The soccer team finished the season with a record and 25-1 and won the Non-Public A championship in 2010 with a 2-0 win over Pingry School
Pingry School
The Pingry School is a coeducational, independent, college preparatory country day school in New Jersey, with a Lower School campus in the Short Hills neighborhood of Millburn, and a Middle and Upper School campus in Martinsville. The school was founded in 1861 by Dr. John F. Pingry.Pingry's...
, marking the program's fifth state title and their first since their 2005 win.
The basketball team won the 2001 Parochial South B state championship, defeating McCorristin Catholic High School
Trenton Catholic Academy
Trenton Catholic Academy is a regional Catholic elementary and high school in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey, serving students in pre-K through 12th grade, under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton....
by 65-49 in the tournament final. The basketball team won the 2002 Parochial South A, defeating Camden Catholic High School
Camden Catholic High School
Camden Catholic High School is a four-year comprehensive private coeducational Roman Catholic High School, located in Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey, serving students from the Camden County area...
50-45. The team won again in 2004 with a 56-48 win over Camden Catholic High School. The 2005 team lost to Christian Brothers Academy
Christian Brothers Academy (New Jersey)
Christian Brothers Academy , located in the Lincroft section of Middletown Township, New Jersey, is a private, all-boys college preparatory school with a focus on Christian education run by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, founded by St. John Baptist de la Salle...
49-43 in the final. In 2010-11, the basketball team won their fourth Non-Public A championship by defeating Seton Hall Prep 71-60.
The tennis team won the Non-Public, South A title in 2003 over Monsignor Donovan High School
Monsignor Donovan High School
Monsignor Donovan High School is the only Roman Catholic High School in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States, and operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton. Located in the coastal community of Toms River Township, the school originally opened in 1962 as St. Joseph...
4-1. The team won the Non-Public, South A title again in 2005 and 2006, defeating Christian Brothers Academy
Christian Brothers Academy (New Jersey)
Christian Brothers Academy , located in the Lincroft section of Middletown Township, New Jersey, is a private, all-boys college preparatory school with a focus on Christian education run by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, founded by St. John Baptist de la Salle...
5-0 and 4-1, respectively. The 2007 team won the Boys Tennis - Non-Public, South A state sectional championship with a pair of 5-0 wins over St. John Vianney High School in the semifinals and Christian Brothers Academy in the tournament final. In 2007, the tennis team finished the year 10th on The Star-Ledger
The Star-Ledger
The Star-Ledger is the largest circulated newspaper in the U.S. state of New Jersey and is based in Newark. It is a sister paper to The Jersey Journal of Jersey City, The Times of Trenton and the Staten Island Advance, all of which are owned by Advance Publications.The Newark Star-Ledgers daily...
s top 20 list having won the Non-Public A State title in a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Delbarton School, winning their first state title after having been swept 5-0 by Delbarton in both of their previous state title games.
The wrestling team won Non-Public B state titles in 2001 and 2003 over Gloucester Catholic High School
Gloucester Catholic High School
Gloucester Catholic High School is a co-educational four-year Roman Catholic high school located in Gloucester City, New Jersey, United States. The school operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden...
and St. Mary's High School (New Jersey) of East Rutherford
East Rutherford, New Jersey
East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan....
respectively. The 2001 title was the team's first since 1985.
Notable alumni
- Olu BabalolaOlu BabalolaOlu Babalola is a British professional basketball player, and currently plays for the Sheffield Sharks in the British Basketball League....
(born 1981, class of 2000), professional basketball player for Sheffield SharksSheffield SharksSheffield Sharks, officially named One Health Sheffield Sharks due to sponsorship, is a professional basketball team from the city of Sheffield, England. Sharks currently play in the British Basketball League and play their home fixtures at English Institute of Sport - Sheffield...
in Britain. - Mike CatalanaMike CatalanaMike Catalana is the Sports Director of WHAM-TV, the ABC affiliate in Rochester, New York. His professional career began in 1986 when he became the Sports Director at WMGC-TV, the ABC affiliate in Binghamton, New York. He came to WOKR in Rochester as the weekend sports anchor and reporter in...
, sports director of WHAM-TVWHAM-TVWHAM-TV is the ABC-affiliated television station for Rochester, New York. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on VHF channel 13 from a transmitter on Pinnacle Hill on the border between Rochester and Brighton. The station can also be seen on Time Warner channel 13 and in high definition...
in Rochester, New YorkRochester, New YorkRochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
. - Neil McPeak, Class of 2005, member of the US Rowing team currently training for the 2012 Summer Olympics who was part of the US Junior National Team which won the World Championships.
- Pops Mensah-BonsuPops Mensah-BonsuNana Papa Yaw Dwene "Pops" Mensah-Bonsu is a British professional basketball player of Ghanaian descent.-Amateur career:...
(born 1983, class of 2002), played for the Dallas MavericksDallas MavericksThe Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
, Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
, and the Benetton TrevisoPallacanestro TrevisoPallacanestro Treviso, more often known by its sponsorship name of Benetton Basket, or Benetton Treviso, is an Italian Serie A League professional basketball club from Treviso, the headquarters city of its longtime owner Benetton Group...
and the Toronto RaptorsToronto RaptorsThe Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
. - Paul Rodio, Class of 1974. Currently St. Augustine Prep's head basketball coach. Has amassed 703 career wins ranking him second in South Jersey history, earning career victory 700 in February 2010.
- Andrew SullivanAndrew Sullivan (basketball)Andrew Sullivan is a British professional basketball player. He plays for Leicester Riders and captains the Great Britain national team.-School years:...
(born 1980, class of 1999), professional basketball player for Dexia Mons-HainautDexia Mons-HainautDexia Mons-Hainaut is a Belgian professional basketball club that is based in Mons, Wallonia. The club competes in the highest division of the Belgian League. The club's home arena is Mons Arena.-History:...
in Belgium.
External links
- St Augustine College Preparatory Official site
- Prep Talk - The place to go for ALL your Hermits news!
- Order of St Augustine, International Homepage
- Data for St. Augustine College Preparatory School, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- South Jersey Sports: St. Augustine HS
- Augnet - International Cooperative Web Site for Schools in the Tradition of St. Augustine