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{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
] is a co-educational Catholic high school in the ]. It's located in ], Pennsylvania, at 45th and Chestnut Streets. '''West Catholic''', as it is commonly referred to, is located in the ] neighborhood of ]. It is not far away from the ] campus, and is very close to the following three public schools: West Philadelphia High School, ], and Parkway West High School.
{{Infobox school
| name = West Catholic Preparatory High School
| native_name =
| latin_name =
| image = westcatholic.jpg
| image_size = 150px
| caption =
| location = University City
| streetaddress = 4501 Chestnut Street
| city = ]
| state = ]
| zipcode = 19139
| country = USA
| coordinates = {{coord|39|57|26|N|75|12|42|W|type:edu_region:US-PA|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = Philadelphia#Pennsylvania#USA
| district = <!--This is a private school, so there is no school district-->
| authority =
| religion = ]
| oversight = Archdiocese of Philadelphia
| affiliation =
| superintendent =
| trustee =
| founder =
| president = Andrew Brady
| head_of_school =
| headteacher =
| headmaster =
| head_label =
| head =
| chairperson =
| principal = Michael Field
| dean = Messiah Reames
| administrator =
| rector =
| chaplain =
| director =
| staff =
| ranking =
| faculty =
| teaching_staff =
| school_roll =
| MOE =
| ceeb =
| school_code =
| LEA =
| ofsted =
| test_average =
| test_name =
| national_ranking =
| average_class_size =
| ratio =
| SAT =
| ACT =
| type = ], ]
| system = Archdioceses of Philadelphia
| fees = $1,100
| tuition = $8,900
| endowment =
| grades = ]-]
| campus =
| campus_size =
| campus_type = Urban
| athletics =
| athletics_conference = ]
| slogan = Learn<br>Compete Create Lead Go West
| song =
| fight_song =
| motto = United in Faith, Loyalty, Knowledge
| motto_translation =
| accreditation = ]<ref name="MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools">{{cite web|url=http://www.css-msa.org/search.php/|title=MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools|access-date=2009-07-31|author=MSA-CSS}}</ref>
| rival =
| mascot = Burr-Man
| mascot_image =
| sports = Football, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Cheerleading, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Girls Volleyball
| patron = ]
| team_name = Burrs
| nickname = West
| colors = ] ] and ] {{color box|blue}}{{color box|white}}{{color box|gold}}
| yearbook =
| publication = Musings
| newspaper =
| established = 1916
| status =
| closed =
| alumni =
| nobel_laureates =
| enrollment = 427
| enrollment_as_of = 2019-2020
| other_grade_label =
| other =
| communities =
| feeder_schools =
| free_label =
| free_text =
| free_label2 = Admissions Director
| free_text2 = Dominique Fuller-Finley
| free_label3 = Director of Student Life
| free_text3 = Dr. John Brennan
| free_label4 =
| free_label5 = Director of Campus Ministry
| free_text5 = Kelly Foley
| footnotes =
| picture =
| homepage =
}}


'''West Catholic Preparatory High School''' is a ] ] ] in the ]. It is located in ], Pennsylvania, at 45th and Chestnut Streets, the ] neighborhood of ].


== History==
[[Image:westcatholic.jpg|frame|'''West Philadelphia Catholic High School''' -
The school opened on September 8, 1989, as a result of a merger between ], opened in 1916, and ], opened in 1927.<ref>"." ''West Philadelphia Catholic High School''. November 2, 2004.</ref>
<blockquote>
'''''Motto:'''''<br />
United in Faith, Loyalty, Knowledge
</blockquote>


When they originally opened, both West Catholic Girls and West Catholic Boys served students from West Philadelphia, Southwest Philadelphia and Delaware County. As more Archdiocesan high schools opened in the suburbs in the 1950s and 1960s, West's "feeder schools" became limited to parishes in West and Southwest Philadelphia. With the advent of "open enrollment" for Archdiocesan high schools in the 1990s, West Catholic continued to draw from West and Southwest Philadelphia, and also attracted students from Philadelphia and its suburbs. Currently (2011), approximately 25% of the students come from suburban areas, with the other 75% from across the City of Philadelphia.
<blockquote>
'''''Established''''': <br />
'''Boys''' - 1916,<br /> '''Girls''' - 1926,<br /> '''Co-Ed''' - 1989
</blockquote>


In 2012, there was a proposal to close the school.<ref>{{cite web|author=Bayliss, Kelly|url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Bonner-Prendie-Among-5-High-Schools-Closing-Reports-136815168.html|title=44 Catholic Elementary Schools, 4 High Schools Closing|publisher=NBC Philadelphia|date=2012-01-06|access-date=2019-07-31}}</ref>


In July 2013, the school announced its official name change to West Catholic Preparatory High School, as part of its overall strategic plan.


==Academics==

Based on the school's student focus and support; a school organization and culture; challenging standards and curriculum; active teaching and receptive learning; professional community; leadership and educational vitality; school, family, community partnerships and many indicators of success, The Blue Ribbon School's Program (in affiliation with the ]) has awarded West Catholic the prestigious ']'. An Honor of Pride and Esteem achieved several times.
<blockquote>
'''''Colors''''':
Blue, Gold, and White
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
'''''Nicknames''''': <br />
West Catholic, West, and Dub C
</blockquote>


<blockquote>
'''''Mascot''''':
Burr
</blockquote>


<blockquote>
'''''Located''''':<br />
4501 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19139
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
'''''Contact Information''''':<br />
215-386-2244
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
'''''Website'''''
]]
</blockquote>


== Mission Statement ==

West Philadelphia Catholic High School is a Catholic Community of Academic Excellence in an urban setting open to all students. The school's academic, technological, and co-curricular programs help develop our diverse student body into young men and women of strong moral character prepared to accept the challenges of a dynamic, ever changing global society. We believe that education is a life-long process and that the school, parents, and students are partners in the moral and academic learning experience.


== Early Beginnings ==

West Catholic started out in 1916 as West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys. The school was built as a response to the need for secondary Catholic education in West Philadelphia. The school was placed in the hands of the Society of Mary, commonly known as the Marianists brothers and priests. From 1916 until 1926, the Marianists headed the school community. In 1926, the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools assumed the responsibility of the education and spiritual development of young men of West Catholic. To this day, the Christian Brothers continue to have a large influence in the West Catholic community and instill the Lasallian spirit of community, faith, and service for the advancement of others.

In September of 1927, as another response to the need for Catholic secondary education for young women, West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School was created. The faculty was comprised of thirty-two religious nuns of six different orders and three laywomen. Each religious order brought a distinct educational style. Because of this, the young women were exposed to a variety of Catholic religious traditions.
While both schools thrived strongly through the 1950s, the changing economy of the surrounding neighborhoods caused enrollment to severely drop in both schools. This steady drop continued for thirty years and it then became obviously necessary that the two schools needed to be combined.

The co-educational West Philadelphia Catholic High School opened its doors on September 8, 1989. Today, they continue their <blockquote>
"tradition of excellence by fostering the intellectual, physical, and spiritual growth of hundreds of young men and women of various cultures and backgrounds."
</blockquote>


== The Brothers of the Christian Schools ==

The ], also known as the Christian Brothers, the Lasallian Brothers, the French Christian Brothers, or the De La Salle Brothers, is a Roman Catholic religious teaching order, founded by French Priest ].

De La Salle was a canon of the cathedral and came from a wealthy family. He dreamed of setting up free schools where the children of the working and poor class citizens could learn reading, writing and arithmetic and also receive religious instruction and other training appropriate for forming good Christians.

There are countless Christian Brothers that still today work in the school.

On another note, St. Jean-Baptiste de la Salle is the school's Patron Saint.



== Alma Mater ==


'''West Catholic Alma Mater'''

We're a new generation!<br />
Born of long tradition!<br />
Years of dedication!<br />
To God and education!<br />

Faith, knowledge, loyalty we hold<br />
Shining in light...blue, white, and gold.<br />
Our minds, our hearts, our bodies, too<br />
Grow in this school where dreams come true!<br />

''Refrain''<br />
West Catholic High, West Catholic High<br />
We sing your praises clear!<br />
We're proud you're our Alma Mater<br />
You're the "best", West Catholic High!<br />

United yet diversified<br />
Facing our future side by side<br />
Growing, learning, moving ahead,<br />
West Catholic, we will not forget. ''(Repeat Refrain)''

== Academic Achievements ==

Based on the school's <blockquote>
student focus and support; school organization and culture; challenging standards and curriculum; active teaching and learning; professional community; leadership and educational vitality; school, family, and community partnerships, and indicators of success,
</blockquote> the Blue Ribbon Schools program (in affiliation with the ]) has awarded West Catholic the prestigious ']' recognition several times.


West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys was named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the Blue Ribbon Schools program in the academic year of 1983-1984 West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys was named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the Blue Ribbon Schools program in the academic year of 1983-1984
Co-Educational West Philadelphia Catholic High School was also named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the Blue Ribbon Schools program in the academic years of 1994-1996. Co-Educational West Philadelphia Catholic High School was also named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the Blue Ribbon Schools program in the academic years of 1994-1996.


West Catholic graduates have gone on to Swarthmore, NYU, Georgetown, Columbia, Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Pennsylvania, among others.
== Major Athletic Achievements ==
West Catholic graduates earned scholarships such as Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards, Gates Millennium Scholarships, Nelson Scholarships, Mayor's Scholarships, and an F.C. Haab Science Scholarship.


===The Brothers of the Christian Schools===
West Catholic is a member of the ].
West Catholic's faculty includes a number of Catholic religious orders, most notably, the ], also known as the Christian Brothers. The Christian Brothers are a Roman Catholic lay religious teaching order, founded by French Priest ]. De La Salle was a canon of the cathedral and came from a wealthy family. De La Salle's goal was setting up free schools where the children of the working and poor class citizens could learn reading, writing and arithmetic and also receive religious instruction and other training appropriate for forming good Christians.
In Football, it West Catholic is a part of the Blue Division. The Blue Division is comprised of schools with smaller enrollement than that of the schools in the Red Division. In Football, the League does not have an official League Champion, instead, they have 2 champions (having one from each division).


The Christian Brothers taught at West Catholic Boys beginning in 1926 (succeeding the ]). ] (IHM) and the ] (Chestnut Hill) are two of the women's religious teaching orders from West Catholic Girls. In addition to the religious orders, the school's faculty includes a number of lay teachers. The Chaplain is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
In all other sports, West Catholic is in the Southern Division.


===Partnerships===
===Football Highs and 'Woes'===
As a resident of the University City, West Catholic Preparatory High School has taken advantage of its unique location by establishing a partnership with several universities in Philadelphia:
In the 2006 football season, varsity Head Coach Brian Fluck led his team to the Blue Division championship for the fourth straight time. The previous three had all resulted in losses to ]. It seemed as if the fourth time would have to be a charm, with many key senior role players soon exiting. The Burrs won their matchup against the Vikings on December 2, 2006. The Blue Division Championship plaque currently resides in the West Catholic main office.
*University of Pennsylvania
*Drexel University
*University of the Sciences of Philadelphia


==Athletics==
===Championship History===
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2020}}
West Catholic has won many football championships, which has resulted in the school's publicity on many forms of local sports media on a regular basis. The following is a listing of the championship wins, the year they were won, and the winning head coach:
West Catholic is a member of the ] Blue Division, which comprises schools with smaller enrollment. They currently offer the following sports at the varsity level:
*Girls' Volleyball
*Football
*Cheerleading
*Boys' Basketball
*Girls' Basketball
*Girls' Indoor/Outdoor Track
*Boys' Indoor/Outdoor Track
*Cross-Country


===Football championship history===
*1925: Tom Tracey
West Catholic has won several football championships. The following is a listing of the championship wins, the year they were won, and the winning head coach:
*Tom Tracey- 1925
*Jocko McGarry- 1932
*Bob Dougherty- 1940, 1941, 1943, 1944
*Bill McCoy- 1945, 1946
*Jack Shields- 1951
*Vince McAneny- 1962
*John McAneny- 1965
*Brian Fluck- 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016


State AA Champion 2010
*1932: Jocko McGarry

*1940: Bob Dougherty

*1941: Bob Dougherty

*1943: Bob Dougherty

*1944: Bob Dougherty

*1945: Bill McCoy

*1946: Bill McCoy

*1951: Jack Shields

*1962: Vince McAneney

*1965: John McAneney

*2006: Brian Fluck

====Rankings====
West Catholic is currently second in the Catholic League's list of the '''Most Football Championships Won''' (behind ] who holds the title with 15 championships won)


===Basketball=== ===Basketball===
West Catholic has won many men's basketball championships, the following is a listing of the championships won, the year they were won, and the winning head coach: West Catholic has won a number of men's basketball championships:


*1921: Brother Michael Quinlan *Brother Michael Quinlan- 1921
*Jocko McGarry- 1931
*Pat Conway- 1938
*Joe Langan- 1949
*Jim Usilton, Jr- 1952, 1953, 1955
*Bill Ludlow- 1959
In 1971 West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls won the city championship at the ].


In 1974 West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls won the city championship.
*1931: Jocko McGarry


==Notable alumni==
*1938: Pat Conway
{{alumni|date=May 2018}}
*], female sprinter, silver medalist at ] on ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Nia Ali Bio - University of Southern California Official Athletic Site |url=http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/c-track/mtt/ali_nia01.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310212256/http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/c-track/mtt/ali_nia01.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 March 2014 |access-date=30 August 2018 |date=10 March 2014}}</ref>
*], a former member of the Philadelphia Warriors 1955-56 NBA Champions, All American 1953, held the University of Pennsylvania Most Points for more than 50 years and still holds most rebounds record at the University of Pennsylvania, NCAA 1951 leading Rebounder{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
*], actor
*], former NBA basketball player and captain of 1980 Olympic Basketball team
*], philosopher and theologian, Thomas J. Watson Professor of Religion Emeritus at ] and David R. Cook Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at ]
*] (1930–2017), college All-American football player<ref> ''Philadelphia Inquirer,'' Oct. 6, 1947; p. 22.</ref>
*], professional wrestling personality (]) and podcaster.
*] (1953–2021), comedian, writer, actor, recording artist and sports radio personality on 94 ].<ref>Tornoe, Rob. , '']'', September 9, 2021. Accessed September 10, 2021. "Mr. Graham was born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia and graduated from West Catholic High School."</ref>
*], former United States Senator (D-Michigan) and lawyer
*] (1949-1991), first Black news anchor in Philadelphia, noted for his coverage of the ]
*], CSN Philly analyst and former collegiate and NBA basketball coach
*], head basketball coach for Philadelphia University and former NBA basketball player
*], founding ]
*]: Jazz Legend (Baritone Sax)
*], co-founder of the ] and a former ] of the ]
*], U.S. Navy senior chief petty officer, author, television commentator
*], Archbishop of New York, 1984-2000.<ref>{{cite news |last=Steinfels |first=Peter |date=4 May 2000 |title=Death of a Cardinal; CardinalL O'Connor, 80, Dies; Forceful Voice for Vatican |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/04/nyregion/death-of-a-cardinal-cardinal-o-connor-80-dies-forceful-voice-for-vatican.html|work=The New York Times |access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>
*], Pennsylvania State Representative, 1975-1978
*]: Actor (Multiple Coen Bros. movies including Miller's Crossing and The Big Lebowski; also Modern Family and Seinfeld).{{citation needed|reason=linked article does not mention this school|date=May 2018}} (See 1968 West Catholic Boys High School Year Book)
*], Lt. General US Army and Catholic Deacon
*], NFL wide receiver for the Houston Texans
*], NFL Player for San Diego Chargers and Music executive.
*], a former NBA basketball player
*], Coached champion teams in both NBA and WNBA.


==Student body==
*1949: Joe Langan
There are 427 students attending West Catholic:<ref>''(current as of the 2016-2017 academic year)''
</ref>


'''Ethnicity'''<ref>''(Source West Catholic, 2016-2017)''</ref>
*1952: Jim Usilton, Jr.


*Black - 80%
*1953: Jim Usilton, Jr.
*White - 3%
*Asian - 6%
*Hispanic - 11%
*Other


==References==
*1955: Jim Usilton, Jr.
{{reflist}}


==Further reading==
*1959: Jack Devine
* {{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2012-01-12/news/30620191_1_football-team-west-catholic-boys-alma-mater|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920105311/http://articles.philly.com/2012-01-12/news/30620191_1_football-team-west-catholic-boys-alma-mater|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-09-20|title=Closing of West Catholic feels like a death in the family|work=]|date=2012-01-12}} - At the time of writing, the archdiocese planned to close the school


====Rankings==== ==External links==
{{Portal|Philadelphia|Pennsylvania|Catholicism|Schools}}
West Catholic is currently fourth in the Catholic League's list of '''Most Basketball Championships Won''' (with the leader being ] who commands the title with 27 basketball championships won).
*
*http://schools.privateschoolsreport.com/Pennsylvania|Philadelphia/WestPhiladelphiaCatholicHig.html


{{Philadelphia Catholic League}}
== Administration ==
{{Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania School Districts}}

West's administration is comprised of a president, principal, and several assistant principals.
The following information is current as of the 2006-2007 academic year:

*Brother Tim Ahern, F.S.C. - President

*Sister Mary Bur, I.H.M. - Principal

*Brother Michael Andrejko - Assistant Principal of Academic Affairs

*Mr. John Jackson - Assistant Principal of Student Services

*Ms. Mary DeMasi - Assistant Principal of Student Affairs

*Mr. Brian Fluck - Head of Admissions Department

== School Trivia ==

===Accessibility===
West Catholic is easily accessible via the ] ], as it is only one block away from the 46th Street Station. It is also fairly located near the 31 and 64 SEPTA bus routes.

===School Icons===

The school's Patroness is ].

West's school colors are blue, gold, and white.

The West Catholic mascot is a burr. The legend as to why this is dates back to the beginning years of West Catholic High School for Boys. Legend goes that all Catholic school students, mainly boys, wore similar clothing; thus it was hard to distinguish school from school. But, there were many burr trees lined up along Chestnut street, and the falling burrs got stuck on some of the West boys clothing as they walked to school. Therefore, many people could recognize West Catholic boys easily, just by looking at them and seeing burrs.

While West's mascot is a burr, their live mascot is a character called ''Burr-Man''. He is a male in a costume flourished in vibrant cartoonish-shades of the school colors. He does not resemble a burr, but still, he is referred to as Burr-Man.

===Student Body Makeup===

West's ethnicity percentage makes it very diverse among other Catholic schools in the Archdiocese:

'''Ethnicity'''

*Black - 68.86%

*White - 21.61%

*Asian/Pacific Islander - 7.81%

*Hispanic - 1.7%

*American Indian/Alaskan Native - 0%
''(Source NCES, 2003-2004)''

===Ties===
West Catholic has Membership Association ties to the National Catholic Education Association (NCES).

West Catholic is a member of the ] and is in the Southern and Blue Divisions in their respective sports.

===Rumor Control===
The West Catholic Administration repeatedly denies any recognization, whatsoever, to an official ''''Freshman Day'''', yet there are rumors and strong beliefs that this day does indeed exist.

West's principal Sister Mary Bur's name is the also the name of the school's mascot (but with different spelling), but despite popular belief, this name had no part in her partaking of her adminstrative position.

===Bell Schedules===

The school has four bell schedules (A, B, C, and D). All schedules except B result in a dismissal time of 2:24 in the afternoon.

====The A Schedule====
*The '''A schedule''' is the most common of them all. Mostly referred to as the ''''Regular'''' schedule, (''is the schedule with the longest periods''), has an 18 minute homeroom and 8 periods at 44 minutes each.

====The B Schedule====
*The''' B schedule''', also referred to as the ''''Wednesday'''' schedule, results in a dismissal time of 1:44, having an 18 minute homeroom and 8 periods at 39 minutes each. The Wednesday schedule, hence the name, is used EVERY Wednesday throughout the year (except when standardized tests are being administered).

====The C Schedule====
*Used mostly for assemblies, the C schedule usually consists of an assembly held during a 42 minute homeroom, while the following 8 periods succeed as usual, but at only 41 minutes each.

====The D Schedule====
*Used mostly for longer assemblies, the D schedule, (''the schedule with the shortest periods'') consists of an assembly held during a 66 minute homeroom, while the following 8 periods succeed as usual, but at only 38 minutes each.

====Special Schedules====
*On another note, sometimes '''''Special Schedules''''' are given to usually accommodate an assembly longer than 66 minutes. The schedule usually shortens each period's time, but dismissal is 2:24. Special Schedules are not usually set for Wednesdays. ''(Once again, Special Schedules are very scarcely used).''

===Alumni===
A prominent alumnus is ], an actor who is mostly known as ]'s father on the hit TV show '']''. Boyle graduated with the Class of 1953. He is on the School Hall of Fame and his picture is on the Wall of Fame on the school's first floor.

===Student Body Census===
There are currently 819 students attending West Catholic:

*Freshman: 222

*Sophomores: 210

*Juniors: 196

*Seniors: 191

''(current as of the 2006-2007 academic year)''

==Bibliography==
*http://schools.privateschoolsreport.com/Pennsylvania|Philadelphia/WestPhiladelphiaCatholicHig.html
*http://www.westcatholic.org
*http://www.ed.gov/programs/nc1bbrs/list-1982.pdf
*http://www.tedsilary.com
*http://www.greatschools.net/modperl|quickprivate/pa/3449


{{authority control}}
<!--
''Compiled by Liana J. Taylor (Class of 2010)''
-->


{{DEFAULTSORT:West Catholic Preparatory High School}}
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Latest revision as of 06:31, 6 January 2025

Private, coeducational school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
West Catholic Preparatory High School
Address
4501 Chestnut Street
University City
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19139
United States
Coordinates39°57′26″N 75°12′42″W / 39.95722°N 75.21167°W / 39.95722; -75.21167
Information
TypePrivate, Coeducational
MottoUnited in Faith, Loyalty, Knowledge
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Patron saint(s)St. John Baptiste de la Salle
Established1916
OversightArchdiocese of Philadelphia
PresidentAndrew Brady
DeanMessiah Reames
PrincipalMichael Field
Grades9-12
Enrollment427 (2019-2020)
Education systemArchdioceses of Philadelphia
Campus typeUrban
Color(s)Blue White and Gold    
SloganLearn
Compete Create Lead Go West
Athletics conferencePhiladelphia Catholic League
SportsFootball, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Cheerleading, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Girls Volleyball
MascotBurr-Man
NicknameWest
Team nameBurrs
AccreditationMiddle States Association of Colleges and Schools
PublicationMusings
School fees$1,100
Tuition$8,900
Admissions DirectorDominique Fuller-Finley
Director of Student LifeDr. John Brennan
Director of Campus MinistryKelly Foley
Websitewww.westcatholic.org

West Catholic Preparatory High School is a co-educational Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 45th and Chestnut Streets, the University City neighborhood of West Philadelphia.

History

The school opened on September 8, 1989, as a result of a merger between West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys, opened in 1916, and West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School, opened in 1927.

When they originally opened, both West Catholic Girls and West Catholic Boys served students from West Philadelphia, Southwest Philadelphia and Delaware County. As more Archdiocesan high schools opened in the suburbs in the 1950s and 1960s, West's "feeder schools" became limited to parishes in West and Southwest Philadelphia. With the advent of "open enrollment" for Archdiocesan high schools in the 1990s, West Catholic continued to draw from West and Southwest Philadelphia, and also attracted students from Philadelphia and its suburbs. Currently (2011), approximately 25% of the students come from suburban areas, with the other 75% from across the City of Philadelphia.

In 2012, there was a proposal to close the school.

In July 2013, the school announced its official name change to West Catholic Preparatory High School, as part of its overall strategic plan.

Academics

Based on the school's student focus and support; a school organization and culture; challenging standards and curriculum; active teaching and receptive learning; professional community; leadership and educational vitality; school, family, community partnerships and many indicators of success, The Blue Ribbon School's Program (in affiliation with the United States Department of Education) has awarded West Catholic the prestigious 'Blue Ribbon School of Excellence'. An Honor of Pride and Esteem achieved several times.

West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys was named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the Blue Ribbon Schools program in the academic year of 1983-1984 Co-Educational West Philadelphia Catholic High School was also named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the Blue Ribbon Schools program in the academic years of 1994-1996.

West Catholic graduates have gone on to Swarthmore, NYU, Georgetown, Columbia, Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Pennsylvania, among others. West Catholic graduates earned scholarships such as Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards, Gates Millennium Scholarships, Nelson Scholarships, Mayor's Scholarships, and an F.C. Haab Science Scholarship.

The Brothers of the Christian Schools

West Catholic's faculty includes a number of Catholic religious orders, most notably, the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, also known as the Christian Brothers. The Christian Brothers are a Roman Catholic lay religious teaching order, founded by French Priest Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle. De La Salle was a canon of the cathedral and came from a wealthy family. De La Salle's goal was setting up free schools where the children of the working and poor class citizens could learn reading, writing and arithmetic and also receive religious instruction and other training appropriate for forming good Christians.

The Christian Brothers taught at West Catholic Boys beginning in 1926 (succeeding the Brothers of Mary). Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) and the Sisters of St. Joseph (Chestnut Hill) are two of the women's religious teaching orders from West Catholic Girls. In addition to the religious orders, the school's faculty includes a number of lay teachers. The Chaplain is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Partnerships

As a resident of the University City, West Catholic Preparatory High School has taken advantage of its unique location by establishing a partnership with several universities in Philadelphia:

  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Drexel University
  • University of the Sciences of Philadelphia

Athletics

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

West Catholic is a member of the Philadelphia Catholic League Blue Division, which comprises schools with smaller enrollment. They currently offer the following sports at the varsity level:

  • Girls' Volleyball
  • Football
  • Cheerleading
  • Boys' Basketball
  • Girls' Basketball
  • Girls' Indoor/Outdoor Track
  • Boys' Indoor/Outdoor Track
  • Cross-Country

Football championship history

West Catholic has won several football championships. The following is a listing of the championship wins, the year they were won, and the winning head coach:

  • Tom Tracey- 1925
  • Jocko McGarry- 1932
  • Bob Dougherty- 1940, 1941, 1943, 1944
  • Bill McCoy- 1945, 1946
  • Jack Shields- 1951
  • Vince McAneny- 1962
  • John McAneny- 1965
  • Brian Fluck- 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016

State AA Champion 2010

Basketball

West Catholic has won a number of men's basketball championships:

  • Brother Michael Quinlan- 1921
  • Jocko McGarry- 1931
  • Pat Conway- 1938
  • Joe Langan- 1949
  • Jim Usilton, Jr- 1952, 1953, 1955
  • Bill Ludlow- 1959

In 1971 West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls won the city championship at the Palestra.

In 1974 West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls won the city championship.

Notable alumni

This article's list of alumni may not follow Misplaced Pages's verifiability policy. Please improve this article by removing names that do not have independent reliable sources showing they merit inclusion in this article AND are alumni, or by incorporating the relevant publications into the body of the article through appropriate citations. (May 2018)

Student body

There are 427 students attending West Catholic:

Ethnicity

  • Black - 80%
  • White - 3%
  • Asian - 6%
  • Hispanic - 11%
  • Other

References

  1. MSA-CSS. "MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools". Retrieved 2009-07-31.
  2. "History." West Philadelphia Catholic High School. November 2, 2004.
  3. Bayliss, Kelly (2012-01-06). "44 Catholic Elementary Schools, 4 High Schools Closing". NBC Philadelphia. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  4. "Nia Ali Bio - University of Southern California Official Athletic Site". 10 March 2014. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  5. "West Catholic, Roman Win," Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct. 6, 1947; p. 22.
  6. Tornoe, Rob. "Longtime WIP host Big Daddy Graham dies at 68", The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 9, 2021. Accessed September 10, 2021. "Mr. Graham was born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia and graduated from West Catholic High School."
  7. Steinfels, Peter (4 May 2000). "Death of a Cardinal; CardinalL O'Connor, 80, Dies; Forceful Voice for Vatican". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  8. (current as of the 2016-2017 academic year)
  9. (Source West Catholic, 2016-2017)

Further reading

External links

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