GONZAGA
C O L L EG E H I G H S C H O O L
A Catholic, Jesuit School for Young Men in the Nation's Capital
LEARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THING S
When you attend Gonzaga, you are in the heart of our nation’s capital. To the south are the offices of Congress, the Capitol, Union Station, the Supreme Court, and places others know mostly from field trips. Around Gonzaga’s campus are apartment buildings and row houses, schools, businesses, nursing homes, and homeless shelters. There’s proximity to those in need as well as to those with affluence and power. AT GONZAGA , YOU LEARN IN THE MIDDLE OF THING S,
and when you sit down in your history or calculus class, or head to jazz band rehearsal, or board the bus for a game, being in the middle of things shapes you. Over your years at Gonzaga, you learn who and where you are in the world and what gifts you have to offer. MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU COME TO REALIZE THAT GOD CAN BE FOUND IN ALL THING S —in every person, at all times,
and in all settings. Ultimately, Gonzaga is about boys becoming young men with and for others—on campus, in the city that surrounds them, and around the world.
KEY FAC TS AND FIGURES Founded in
1821
Washington, D.C.’s only Jesuit High School 1 of 2 Jesuit communities in Washington, D.C. (Gonzaga and Georgetown University)
3
blocks from the Union Station Metro
More than
950
students from 200 grade schools and 150 zip codes in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia
14:1
Student-faculty ratio
“ W E’RE CREATING YOUNG MEN WHO ARE AVAILABLE TO THE WORLD.“ Stephen Szolosi, Director of Campus Ministry
The only U.S. high school with a homeless shelter on its campus (the Father McKenna Center, in the basement of St. Aloysius Church)
AC C ESSIB L E
More than
1/ 3
of students receive tuition assistance
LEARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THINGS 3
FAITH & JUSTICE
A Jesuit education seeks to form Men and Women With and For Others. Embedded in that concept is the idea that faith and justice are two sides of the same coin. At Gonzaga, one place where that idea powerfully comes to life is historic St. Aloysius Church. Upstairs is where the young men of Gonzaga celebrate the Eucharist and deepen their relationship with God. Downstairs is home to the Father McKenna Center, which provides food, shelter, clothing, and services to men from the surrounding neighborhood who are facing homelessness. In St. Al’s, faith meets justice for the young men of Gonzaga. Gonzaga students engage the world around them in countless other ways as well. Locally, students make, pack, and deliver meals to those in need. They spend time with the elderly at a nursing home adjacent to campus and tutor young people from underserved communities after school. Through these and other service opportunities, Gonzaga students learn about the city, their neighbors, and themselves.
“ AT GONZAGA , OUR STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL TO THE FULLEST, AND THEN CONFRONT THE QUESTION, ‘AND NOW WHAT? WHAT DO I DO WITH ALL THAT GOD HA S GIVEN ME?’”
Service trips—both in the U.S. and to other countries—immerse Gonzaga students in complex issues like immigration, rural poverty, and environmental justice. They learn from and work alongside impoverished members of the Lakota Sioux tribe in Red Cloud, South Dakota. They tackle community rebuilding projects in areas of Louisiana still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. They experience first-hand the realities of immigrants along the U.S.-Mexico border. The entire campus at the corner of North Capitol and Eye Street offers its own sort of sanctuary. But it’s a sanctuary of connection, not isolation. The late Father Horace B. McKenna, SJ, the Jesuit priest after whom the McKenna Center is named, often said that Gonzaga sits at the intersection of poverty and power. “It’s the real world,” echoed a recent graduate.
Rev. Stephen W. Planning, SJ, President
FAITH & JUSTICE 5
SERVICE & RETREATS RE F LEC T I ON A ND G ROWTH
It was while recovering from injury that Ignatius of Loyola, in the 16th
The Gonzaga Retreat Program
century, experienced the religious conversion that led to the founding of the Jesuit order. In this same spirit, the Retreat Program at Gonzaga offers freshman and sophomore retreats, plus the powerful Kairos retreat for juniors and seniors. Students have opportunities to step back from their everyday lives, recharge emotionally and spiritually, form bonds of brotherhood with their classmates, and deepen their relationships with each other and with God.
11
Number of service immersion trips each year, to work at places such as the Oscar Romero Center in Camden, New Jersey; the Kino Border Initiative
700+
Number of students who participate in Kairos or other retreats every year
in Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Mexico; and Jerusalem Farm in Kansas City, Missouri
20,000+ Number of hours devoted to regional, national, and international community service by Gonzaga students each year
“ T HEY’RE LEARNING HERE WITH THEIR EYES WIDE OPEN. OTHER S CHOOLS TALK ABOUT SERVICE . AT GONZAGA , IT’S AROUND YOU ALL THE TIME .” Maggie Mejia, parent
“ AT GONZAGA , DEALING WITH THE REAL WORLD IS BUILT INTO THE CURRICULUM… [THE SCHOOL] STANDS APART EVEN FROM OTHER SCHOOLS THAT REQUIRE SERVICE HOURS IN THE FOCUS OF ITS MANDATE .” from the Washington Post Magazine: “Learning by Heart,” April 2017
FAITH & JUSTICE 7
EDUCATION IN THE JESUIT TRADITION
In keeping with our Jesuit heritage, learning at Gonzaga is academically challenging, invigorating, broad, and deep. Students are encouraged to be open to new experiences, to ask probing questions, to think for themselves, and to explore complex ideas. Here students learn how
to think, not what to think. They cultivate a love of learning that stays with them throughout their lives.
“OUR TEACHERS ARE GRANTED A TREMENDOUS DEGREE OF EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM. THEY ARE EMPOWERED TO TEACH FREE THOUGHT, TO ASK PROBING QUESTIONS THAT DRIVE STUDENTS TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES. AT GONZAGA , WE HEED THE CALL OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA TO ‘LIVE IN THE TENSIONS’ OF THE WORLD. WE HAVE CONVER SATIONS THAT ARE MESSY AND DIFFICULT, AND WE BELIEVE THAT IN THAT MESS, AMONG THOSE TENSIONS, WE FOSTER THE GREATEST GROWTH IN OUR STUDENTS AND WE FIND GOD’S GRACE .” Tom Every, Headmaster
104
Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors sections offered
90
percent of faculty have an advanced degree
20
average class size
14:1
student-faculty ratio
EDUCATION IN THE JESUIT TRADITION 9
CHARAC TERISTIC S OF A GONZAGA EDUCATION Grounded in the LIBERAL ARTS More about HOW TO THINK than
Encourages students to look OUTSIDE
FAITH AND JUSTICE are incorporated
the “silos” of subjects and explore
across the curriculum
the ways they connect to each other
what to think—students digest
Learning happens through the
complex material, think critically,
An emphasis on connecting the
lens of EMPATHY and involves
learn to problem-solve, and
classroom to the REAL WORLD and
the unity of heart, mind, and soul
communicate their ideas in
on exploring the ethical dimensions
words and writing as well as
of real-world action
across multiple media
Empowers students to FULFILL THEIR POTENTIAL
Commitment to CURA PERSONALIS, RIGOROUS AND VIGOROUS—
or care and concern for each
challenging and full of energy
person, with appreciation for their gifts, circumstances, background, and insights
A Challenging, College-Preparatory Curriculum Gifted faculty—over 90% of whom have advanced degrees—combine compassion and creativity as they teach these subjects (followed by course examples):
Computer Science
Physical Education
programming, website development, independent study
English
Religion ethics, social justice, theology, scripture
classic, African American, Irish, dystopian literature, language and composition, poetry and
Science biology, chemistry, physics,
creative writing
environmental science
Fine Arts
Social Studies
studio art, photography, vocal and instrumental music, film, TV, theater
Mathematics algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, pre-calculus, calculus, linear algebra
Modern and Classical Languages French, Latin, Spanish, Greek, Chinese
history, art history, government and politics, economics, psychology, geography
A broad range of electives Visit Gonzaga.org/academics for the full range of course offerings.
“ B ECAUSE OF WHAT YOU LEARN, YOU FEEL ABLE TO TACKLE ANY SITUATION.” Dean, 11th grade
EDUCATION IN THE JESUIT TRADITION 11
CO - CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
Student clubs and organizations, visual and performing arts, and athletics give students opportunities to explore new activities, discover what they like, practice leadership and teamwork, display their Eagle pride, and forge lasting friendships.
50+ Student Clubs and Organizations Gonzaga offers studentrun clubs organized around academics, multiculturalism, sports, faith, and many other themes. If you don’t find a club that fits your interests, you can start one that does. Here’s a sampling:
Publications & Literary Clubs
Politics & Special Interest
Aetonian yearbook
Student Government Association
Aquilian student newspaper
Eagles for Democracy
Phoenix art & literary magazine Gonzaga Poets & Writers Multiculturalism & Diversity
Sons of Liberty Support Our Troops Peace Club Eagles for Life
Model U.N.
Fun & Games
Onyx, Inc. Multicultural Student Union
Booster Club
French Club
Chess Club
Latino Students Club
Table Tennis Club
Academic & Co-Curricular G.E.A.R. engineering & robotics
Fencing Club
Guitar Club Food Critics of Gonzaga
Speech & Debate National Honor Society It’s Academic!
Cura personalis Involvement in student clubs and activities is just one of many ways we reinforce the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Cura personalis calls for respect for each person’s unique circumstances and encourages the uncovering of each young man’s individual gifts and talents.
CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES 13
THE VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS The Visual Arts EXPRESS YOURSELF
DISPLAY YOUR TALENTS
GET PUBLISHED
through courses in drawing,
in the Cantwell Hall Gallery and
in the Phoenix, Gonzaga’s
painting, sculpture, photography,
elsewhere throughout campus.
arts and literature review.
design, and computer-generated art.
The Performing Arts
Make music together
A full theater calendar
Three instrumental music groups
The Gonzaga Dramatic Association
and two choral ensembles perform
stages two shows each academic
classical, jazz, and contemporary
year—one in the fall and one in the
About that stage…
music at Gonzaga and around the
spring. Joined by young women from
The Sheehy Theater, built in 1896,
country, including in regional and
area high schools, recent Gonzaga
is the oldest continuously operating
national competitions.
stage productions have included
theater in the old federal city of
Hairspray, Godspell, A Midsummer
Washington. It received a complete
Night’s Dream, Beauty and the Beast,
revitalization in recent years, and
Shakespeare wrote, and at Gonzaga
and dozens of other classic and
boasts state of the art technology,
you can be on it, behind it, build it,
contemporary works. Each spring’s
a full production studio, and a shop
or write or direct what happens there.
One Act Play Festival features works
for set design and construction.
“All the World’s a Stage,”
directed, performed, and in many cases written by students.
“ A RT INVOLVES USING A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PART OF THE BRAIN. YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO BE VULNERABLE , TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT’S OK TO PUT YOUR IDEAS OUT THERE . ART HELP S YOU TO THINK CRITICALLY AND CREATIVELY, TO EXPERIMENT WITH NEW THING S, AND TO EXPRESS YOURSELF.” Shelly Farace, Fine Arts Department Chair
CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES 15
PURPLE PRIDE The banners hanging in the gym tell one part of the story of Gonzaga athletics. The banners speak to the championships—more than 100 in over a dozen sports in the past ten years. But the banners don’t tell you the most important thing: the philosophy that underpins Eagles athletics.
Sports, like everything else at
Win or lose, there’s a pride you
Gonzaga, have important lessons
feel when you wear Gonzaga purple,
to teach—lessons about leadership
whether you’re on the field of play or
and teamwork and resilience and
cheering from the stands. At Gonzaga
sportsmanship and working together
you’ll find a competitive spirit that’s
for a common goal. About placing the
timeless and contagious and a sense
team above the individual. About
of camaraderie that’s second
picking each other up after a loss.
to none.
About brotherhood and the joy and fun of competing alongside friends. Those are sports lessons, but they’re also life lessons.
40 Teams in 17 Sports The breadth of sports at Gonzaga means that there are countless opportunities to compete. Sports that many incoming students have already played (basketball, baseball, football, lacrosse) combine with sports they might never have tried before (water polo, rugby, crew). And with at least one no-cut sport offered every season, every student who wants to play, gets to play.
FALL
WINTER
SPRING
Cross Country
Basketball
Baseball
Football
Ice Hockey
Crew
Soccer
Indoor Track
Golf
Water Polo
Squash
Lacrosse
Swimming & Diving
Rugby
Wrestling
Tennis Track and Field
“ S TUDENTS DON’T COME TO GONZAGA ONLY FOR SPORTS. THEY COME TO EXPERIENCE SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT WILL STAY WITH THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.” Joe Reyda, Director of Athletics
CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES 17
“ Y OU’RE NOT ON A LEAFY CAMPUS — YOU’RE IN THE CIT Y, IN REAL LIFE , EVERY DAY. IT TEACHES YOU HOW TO THINK NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT ABOUT YOUR PART IN THE BROADER WORLD. AND THAT PREPARES YOU EXTREMELY WELL FOR COLLEGE AND BEYOND.” Sean Creamer ’82, Chairman of the Board of Trustees
AFTER GONZAGA
NEXT STEP S Gonzaga is a Catholic, Jesuit high school that welcomes young men from all faith traditions. Our students are bright, curious, eager for a challenge, and ready to engage the world around them in meaningful ways.
If that sounds like you, please visit www.Gonzaga. org/admissions to learn how to visit campus, sign up for the Eagle for a Day program, or submit an application.
Gonzaga College High School Office of Admissions and Financial Aid 202.336.7101
“ AT GONZAGA , EXTRAORDINARY THING S ARE HAPPENING . HERE , YOU WILL GROW IN KNOWLEDGE , FRATERNIT Y, AND FAITH. YOU WILL LEARN TO FULLY DEVELOP THE GIFTS THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU. AND YOU WILL COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT HOW YOU USE THOSE TALENTS IS YOUR GIFT BACK TO GOD.” Rev. Stephen W. Planning, SJ, President
As Washington, D.C.’s only Jesuit high school, GONZAGA blends education with conscience to help young men develop strength of faith, intellect, and character. Learning inside and outside the classroom— including learning that deeply engages the world beyond the campus—prepares young men for college success and for lives of integrity, purpose, and service to others.
G O N Z AG A C O L L E G E H I G H S C H O O L / 1 9 E Y E S T R E E T N W / WA S H I N G T O N D C 2 0 0 0 1 202.336.7 101 www. gonzaga.org