CHALLENGE YOURSELF because life TODAY doesn’t get any easier tomorrow ARCHBISHOP CURLEY HIGH SCHOOL
TRADITION ISN’T IT’S CREATED. Welcome to Archbishop Curley High School where young boys mature into Curley Gentlemen who embody the ideals of St. Francis Assisi: search for God, thirst for knowledge, life of service, spirit of peace.
FOUND.
Four years you’ll never forget. A lifetime of knowledge you’ll always remember. There are plenty of educational options for young men in the Baltimore area, but there’s only one Archbishop Curley High School. Founded in 1961, Archbishop Curley is a college preparatory high school dedicated to creating a unique educational experience based on faith, rigorous academics, the arts, athletics, and character development. Our moderate size means you won’t get lost in the shuffle and our personalized approach to education means you are challenged to grow and succeed in ways that just aren’t possible in most schools. Ask our graduates if that rings true, and you’ll hear them say Archbishop Curley is more than just a school; it’s a life-changing experience.
Letter from the President
THE RIGHT CHOICE OF A HIGH SCHOOL CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR A LIFETIME. Dear Prospective Parents & Students: The high school years are a uniquely important time in a young person’s life because of the great changes that occur during those four years. Many would say there are no four years that have as much change. The right choice of a high school can make a difference for a lifetime. The Franciscan Friars, with the help of an exceptionally dedicated lay faculty and staff, have worked very hard since Archbishop Curley High School opened in 1961 to make Curley a very special place in the Baltimore area where young boys come not only to receive an excellent education, but where they also come to be formed in a way of life that leads to success in their personal lives as well. What sets Curley apart? A spirit of Franciscan Brotherhood. The most significant part of our over 50 year history is the story of young boys whose lives have been influenced and shaped for the better by a Franciscan philosophy of education that is holistic in its scope and personal in its nature. A Franciscan education, while developing patterns of mental discipline and clear thinking, also endeavors to instill “habits of the heart” --generosity, kindness, a sense of gratitude, an appreciation of beauty, and care for others. The result is young men who reach their full potential because they have learned both “what to know” and “how to love” more fully. Academics, athletics, fine arts, and community service are the pillars of a Curley education. I am very proud that 98% of our graduates go on to universities and colleges throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and the entire country having earned millions of dollars in scholarships. But I must say that I am most satisfied when alumni, young and old, tell me of the impact that a Franciscan education has had on their personal lives and how it helped them become the type of men they are. It helped them become a good husband and father, a better friend, a better lawyer, accountant or plumber because of the values and principles that they learned at Curley and now live by. Committed to always providing the best opportunities for our students, the recent $7 million In Giving We Receive Campaign has provided significant improvements to our 33 acre campus in northeast Baltimore. The new Holthaus Center for the Arts has provided a wonderful facility for our award-winning fine arts programs. The campaign will also provide for improvements to our athletic complex in the near future. In addition, we are in the midst of significant improvements in the area of the use of technology in the classroom. Our urban setting is an oasis in the midst of the realities of city living while also helping our young men interact in the broader community. The Curley campus not only provides our students with the facilities and tools needed to succeed, but also a very nurturing and safe environment in which to grow in wisdom and respect for all. As you peruse this view book, consider the benefits that an investment in an Archbishop Curley education can have on your future as students and parents alike. For the Curley student, opportunities for growth and involvement are around every corner. It is a place where friends are made for life. For parents, Curley is the place where you can feel confident that you have done the best by your son and that the sacrifices you make will benefit him for a lifetime. Archbishop Curley graduates are very well prepared academically, as well as for the challenges that life in modern society demands of them. Curley is the place where young boys mature into well-rounded Christian gentlemen. They will carry with them always that Franciscan spirit of Brotherhood! I invite you to visit our campus and see for yourself the difference Curley can make in your lives. It certainly made a difference in my own life. God Bless your family and the Curley Family too! Peace & All Good,
Fr. Joseph Benicewicz, OFM Conv. ’78 President
ACADEMICS
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE MATTERS Academics come first at Archbishop Curley What good is a high school education if it doesn’t prepare you for success in college? Good question. It’s why Archbishop Curley has developed a curriculum dedicated to helping young men succeed in a big way. Small classes plus a studentfaculty ratio of 14:1 means individualized attention is the norm not the exception. Our curriculum is designed to provide students with the skills and discipline needed to succeed at the college or university of their choice and in life. Regardless of your educational needs or background, you can count on one thing at Archbishop Curley, you will be challenged and supported every step of the way to achieve your best.
HOW DOES ARCHBISHOP CURLEY STACK UP? VERY WELL WE THINK. We know that statistics are only a small part of what makes AC great, but if you’re a numbers kind of person, we think you’ll like what you see. Archbishop Curley by the numbers
In the Classroom
College Bound
14:1 Courses Offered
90
AP Courses Offered
12
Average Class Size
21
Students / Faculty Ratio
98
Percentage of seniors attending college
College Financial Aid and Scholarship Awards
$8.2 million
College Credits earned through Dual Enrollment
305
Colleges accepting graduating seniors
104
ACADEMICS AT A GLANCE When it comes to helping young men reach their full potential, there is no shortcut to excellence. Which is why Archbishop Curley goes beyond what is expected to deliver results that are superb. 98% of our students graduate and attend the college of their choice, and we’re talking about schools such as Boston University, Duke, Georgetown, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Johns Hopkins University, and the list goes on. You can point to our small class sizes and our Franciscan approach to education as two reasons why Archbishop Curley continues to be at the forefront of education in the Baltimore area. Our academic programs are another reason for our success. Our young men are challenged to reach their individual, full potential while receiving the support they need to excel. Franciscan Program The Franciscan Program is an interdisciplinary program available to students for their entire four-year high school career. Students in the Franciscan Program participate in honors level courses, which emphasize effective speaking and writing skills. Course work includes intense student participation, regular classroom discussion, active listening, innovative and critical thinking, and in-depth treatment of material. Students in the Franciscan Program must be prepared to grow as independent learners.
within the program is evaluated on a regular basis to ensure a challenging and appropriate curriculum. The Cupertino Program, as with the entire academic program at Curley, provides a unique level of flexibility in a student’s course work when compared to other private schools. Students are encouraged to enroll in Honors courses for the subject areas in which they excel while remaining in the Cupertino Program for their other courses. An emphasis is placed in all Cupertino courses on obtaining mastery in the areas of Discovery, Expression, Collaboration, and Integration. A rigorous curriculum, which includes a strong focus on the 21st Century skills needed for success in the modern world, prepares students well for college and life beyond high school. Anthony Program The Anthony Program is a multifaceted college preparatory program that addresses the needs of young men of diverse backgrounds who are at risk for academic difficulties due to a learning difference, lower self-esteem, and/or socio-emotional issues. The goals of the Anthony Program are to individualize learning, to assess progress, to build self-esteem and selfconfidence, and to strengthen moral values. Maximum learning potential is achieved through the implementation of crosscurricular behavioral strategies, individualized assessments to measure academic performance, and most importantly, an integrated team-teaching approach.
Cupertino Program The Cupertino Program is a college-preparatory academic program for students working at or near grade level. A student’s placement
Admission stats at a glance General Information
33
Full Time Faculty
Full Time Administrators Faculty with Advanced Degrees
Enrollment Campus size in acreage 34 6 76%
535
Financial Information Total students enrolled
Enrolled Catholic Students
72%
Baltimore City Residents
26%
Baltimore County Residents
53%
Harford County Residents
10%
Anne Arundel Residents
9%
Other Counties
2%
1.3
Financial Aid awarded in millions
Students Receiving Financial Aid
60%
Students Receiving Scholarships
15%
CO-CURRICULAR
You bring your desire to learn everywhere you go. That just happens to be the same way we teach. No one ever said you only learn when you’re behind a desk. Which
Plus, research has proven that students involved in co-curricular
is why our 360º approach to education includes room for co-
opportunities perform better while in school and have an easier
curricular activities structured to enhance the learning experience at
transition to, and success in, college. Indeed, as a college-preparatory
Archbishop Curley. With over 40 co-curricular clubs and activities,
institution, Curley encourages every student to become involved in
plus athletics and our dynamic arts program, there is something for
at least some aspect of our vibrant campus life.
everyone at Archbishop Curley. Whether it is on the athletic field, a club field trip, or underneath Our co-curricular approach helps students engage in the Archbishop
the spotlights on stage, our co-curricular programs help foster an
Curley culture while building critical life skills and creating
environment of learning that extends virtually everywhere you go.
lasting friendships. Every college today is seeking applicants with
Which is good, because that’s exactly where you learn.
well-rounded high school experiences that include co-curricular involvement and the leadership experiences that come with them.
EVEN AN OPEN FIELD IS A CLASSROOM AT ARCHBISHOP CURLEY.
CAMPUS MINISTRY
Faith is a part of everyday life at Archbishop Curley Walk down the halls of Archbishop Curley and you’ll notice something almost immediately: the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi seems to be everywhere you turn. Since the opening of our school, the educational goals and our very mission have been centered on following Jesus Christ as lived out in the life and example of St. Francis. What does that mean to the students at Archbishop Curley High School? It means that students recognize the mandate of Jesus to love God, their neighbors and themselves as the key to their education and growth. The integration of Gospel values into everyday life at Archbishop Curley is part of the legacy of faith and love that Curley students receive and are encouraged to hand on. We support the spiritual life of our students through multiple vibrant campus ministries that include the Franciscan Youth Ministry, which is filled with opportunities for worship, service and leadership. The mission of FYM is to promote a purpose-driven, faith-filled life of community and service among our students. Your education at Archbishop Curley is marked by faith. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
WHERE BROTHERHOOD BEGINS. Archbishop Curley offers all our students a chance to be part of a larger brotherhood. An expression of faith centered on the Gospel and rooted in the love of God.
Lights, camera, music, graphic design...action! When you take a tour of Archbishop Curley High School there’s a good chance you’ll find our students underneath a spotlight, behind a camera or at a workstation in the graphic design studio. That’s because the arts are more than an elective at Archbishop Curley. They’re a way of life. At Curley, we believe that the arts help open your mind and usher in a world of creative thinking that has benefits reaching far beyond the stage and studio. Our students are challenged to explore, discover and develop their talents, and channel their creative energies in a variety of ways. Whether it’s theater, choral or instrumental music, writing, painting, drawing or photography, our students express their talent through productions, concerts, and art exhibitions that allow them to share their gifts with the rest of the Curley community. Young men of extraordinary talent are drawn to Archbishop Curley’s renowned Performing Arts Program to learn from master instructors who continue an artistic tradition recognized as the
gold standard in the Baltimore area. To support the arts at Curley, we have multiple programs designed to support and encourage educational growth through creativity. Our magnificent Holthaus Center for the Arts, completed in May, 2010, houses Curley’s Instrumental Music, Choral Music, Visual Art, and Theater programs. This $4.4 million 12,000-square foot facility includes rehearsal rooms, the art studio and classrooms, in addition to Archbishop Curley’s own WFRS television studio, CORD Yearbook, and Student Government meeting room. Between our Visions Fine Arts Magazine, Digital Photography class, Blackfriars Theatre and choral and instrumental music programs, there is virtually something for everyone, and every talent level at Curley. But there is one thing that unites them all: the desire to use your God-given talents to explore and expand the boundaries of your creativity. If you have an interest in the arts, there is no place better than Archbishop Curley to take your talent to new heights.
THE ARTS
THE ARTS ARE THE GATEWAY TO YOUR SOUL. If you’re looking for a way to express your inner Van Gogh or Miles Davis, Archbishop Curley High School has plenty of options for taking your creativity to a whole new level. From theater, to music, to graphic design and photography, the fine and performing arts are part of the Archbishop Curley experience.
ATHLETICS
A MIND IN MOTION TENDS TO STAY IN MOTION. Challenge your brain and your body at Curley. Our rigorous academics are a perfect complement to an athletic program that produces top ten rankings year after year.
Because life is a contact sport, education doesn’t stop at the sidelines Physical activity, athletics and competition are important aspects of the overall development of young men. To address these needs and to promote the well-rounded development of our students, Archbishop Curley fields 24 teams competing in 12 interscholastic sports in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association. In addition there is an intramural program for all students. All Curley teams are equipped by the school and benefit from the dedication and skills of a veteran and accomplished coaching staff. Our Licensed Certified Athletic Trainer ensures that Curley athletes can maintain peak athletic performance. Over 60% of our students participate in interscholastic athletics, with many extending their career at the collegiate level. Our teams regularly earn top ten rankings while a number of graduating student-athletes earn athletic scholarships. As much as we take pride in the success of our athletes, we are even more proud that our young men learn values reinforced through fair competition: discipline, honor, courage, teamwork and respect – important assets in living a fuller life.
ARCHBISHOP CURLEY
WHY ARCHBISHOP CURLEY?
Visiting Archbishop Curley Al’s Seafood. Camden Yards. The Ravens against the Steelers. There are some things you just have to see in person to get a complete immersion in the experience. The same applies to choosing a school, and although we are considerably biased in favor of Archbishop Curley High School, we strongly encourage you to schedule a visit to see first-hand what makes Archbishop Curley a unique educational opportunity in Baltimore. Even better than a visit to Archbishop Curley is a Shadow Day, where following a current student gives you a true feeling for the day-in-day-out culture and tradition that creates the Archbishop Curley experience. Shadow Days are available Tuesdays - Fridays beginning late September. The Shadow Days from September to December are reserved for 8th grade students only. Other students may schedule Shadow Days starting in January. When scheduling your Shadow Day, you may request a specific freshman to be your guide, or someone will be assigned based
on your similar interests. Students must adhere to Curley Dress Code (dress pants, dress shirt, dress shoes, and tie). Lunch will be provided and there is no need to bring any books that day. Please arrive by 8:00 a.m. and use the Guest Parking Lot located in front of the Main Entrance on Sinclair Lane. Head to the Auditorium Lobby, and you will be directed to the newly constructed Admissions Suite on the 1st Floor of the Main Academic Building. At 1:30 p.m. your Shadow Guide will escort you to the Auditorium Lobby for dismissal. Visit our website www.archbishopcurley.org and click on the Prospective Student Form. If you have already completed this, just log in and click on the Shadow Day link. If not, start your profile by creating a username and password. You will receive a Shadow Day email confirmation with all the details for the day as well as provide documentation for your records
History of Archbishop Curley Founded in 1961, Archbishop Curley is located on a 33-acre
several athletic practice fields, the baseball, soccer and lacrosse
campus at the northeast edge of the City of Baltimore and
playing fields, tennis courts and the football/track stadium bowl.
dedicated to Archbishop Michael J. Curley (1879-1947), who served as the tenth Archbishop of Baltimore from 1921 to 1947.
The general operation and management of Archbishop Curley High
It was the first Archdiocesan high school in Baltimore established
School falls under the auspices of the School Board established
for the education of young men. The campus contains a central
by the Archbishop of Baltimore that continues to entrust the
structure plus six wings that house the chapel, auditorium,
administration of the school to the Franciscan Friars (Order of
gymnasium, fitness center and wrestling facility, student dining
Friars Minor Conventual) of St. Anthony of Padua Province, who
room, the library multi-media center, conference center, and the
have assigned friars to the faculty and staff since the school’s
residence of the Franciscan Friars at Archbishop Curley. The most
inception. Dedicated lay teachers now comprise the majority of the
recent addition to campus is our spectacular Holthaus Center
faculty and staff, including 14 alumni.
for the Arts, which opened in 2010. Adjacent to the building are
3701 Sinclair Lane Phone: 410-485-5000 Baltimore, MD 21213-2079 Fax: 410-483-2545
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