A Living Faith Academic Excellence The Convergence of Tradition and Innovation
ADMISSIONS GUIDE
welcome TO LANCASTER CATHOLIC
A LANCASTER CATHOLIC STUDENT IS... Intellectually Astute Lancaster Catholic students strive to be critical thinkers, thoughtful consumers and innovative creators. Passionately Faithful Lancaster Catholic students strive to be men and women of faith who consistently seek to deepen their relationship with God through the gift of His Church. Socially Responsible Lancaster Catholic students strive for a just society where all are treated with dignity and respect and all recognize their role as stewards of Creation.
Something special is taking place in the heart of Lancaster County. Young men and women are sharing a high school experience like no other - a high school experience in a school driven by
A Living Faith Academic Excellence The Convergence of Tradition and Innovation Lancaster Catholic High School was founded in 1928 by the faithful of the Lancaster County Catholic community. Since then, over 10,000 souls have been nourished within the halls of 650 Juliette Avenue. A Lancaster Catholic education prepares our students for post-secondary studies. Even more, a Lancaster Catholic education prepares young men and women for life by instilling in them the recognition of their value as a unique Creation of an all-loving God. This central tenet permeates all that we do - all that we are. Students at Lancaster Catholic are educated, nurtured, guided and formed in a highly supportive environment by a faculty and staff who passionately embrace their role in this noble endeavor.
Excellence
THEIR ACADEMIC FUTURE The Academic experience at Lancaster Catholic is characterized by rigor, real-world application and readiness. Put simply, a Catholic High graduate possesses the competencies needed to be successful in any post-secondary endeavor of their choosing. Lancaster Catholic accepts a diversity of students with one commonality: A commitment to the “hard work” of academic excellence. There is no room for excuses here! Lancaster Catholic students are consistently among the top students in the region on national tests and in academic competitions. In addition to 32 Honors courses, Lancaster Catholic offers 15 Advance Placement courses to our students, more than any other secondary school in Lancaster County, public or private. Lancaster Catholic offers a traditional education steeped in the liberal arts. All students complete courses in Theology, Logic and Argument, Speech and Humanities. Additional certifications are available in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and Fine and Performing Arts. Top students may qualify for the National Honor Society and the distinctive honor of graduating as a St. Augustine Scholar.
LANCASTER CATHOLIC STUDENTS ROUTINELY EARN RECOGNITION THROUGH: NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM SCHOLASTIC WRITING AWARDS YOUNG ARTIST AWARDS LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIONS
PASSIONATELY FAITHFUL At Lancaster Catholic, Religion isn’t “just another class” and our retreat programs and liturgies are not viewed as “extras.” Rather, they are an integral part of the Lancaster Catholic experience. The spiritual development of young people is central to what we do - not an afterthought.
“ It was clear that the spiritual life was vibrant and engaging - exactly what we wanted for
our children!”
As our young people face a society rampant with spiritual ambivalence, moral relativism and an overall loss of respect for human life, we ensure that they are equipped with the spiritual, emotional and intellectual maturity to successfully navigate the often troubled waters of young adulthood. At Lancaster Catholic students encounter the sacred. They are supported in their individual journey of faith through open dialogue, dynamic orthodoxy and pastoral prudence. Most of all, Lancaster Catholic provides students with something which is painfully absent from other educational institutions: Perspective. At Lancaster Catholic, we share a world-view deeply rooted in our faith in an all-loving and all-powerful God. This central tenet guides all of our actions and activities. Amen.
Devoted
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS: 27 SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS 3 TEAM AND 8 INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS 7 TEAM AND 8 INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS 2 TEAM AND 3 INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS
FALL
WINTER
Boys Cross Country
Boys Basketball
Girls Cross Country
Girls Basketball
Field Hockey
Bowling
Football
Boys Swimming
Golf
Girls Swimming
Boys Soccer
Wrestling
Girls Soccer
Cheerleading
Girls Tennis Cheerleading
SPRING Baseball Boys Lacrosse Girls Lacrosse Softball Boys Track & Field Girls Track & Field Boys Tennis
Commitment
LCHS CLUBS & ACTIVITIES:
UNLOCKING POTENTIAL … DEVELOPING LEADERS At Lancaster Catholic, being involved is the norm, not the exception. The simple reality is that an involved student is a successful student. Through our clubs, teams and activities, our students are afforded a wide variety of venues for personal growth and success.
LEADERSHIP AND INTEGRITY THROUGH ATHLETICS With 23 varsity sports and a long tradition of excellence, students can truly become part of something special. Our student athletes, a full 60% of the student body, recognize that lessons learned in the classroom are complimented by those learned on the field, the court, or the track. The athletic program is a seamless extension of what occurs “in the building.” Our identity and mission are maintained and reinforced through an athletic program which promotes confidence, hard work, dedication and sportsmanship - at all times.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Student life at Lancaster Catholic is enhanced by our numerous extracurricular offerings. Writers, actors, chess enthusiasts, programmers, leaders, entrepreneurs and more will all find opportunities for expression and personal growth. The clubs and activities not only provide another dimension to the student experience, they also provide the opportunity for leadership. Our activities and clubs are student-formed and student-led. At Lancaster Catholic, we believe that the best way to polish one’s leadership skills is to lead.
National Honor Society Student Council Student Ambassadors Link Crew Rosmarian – Yearbook Quiz Bowl Rambler - Newspaper Mock Trial Club Writers Anonymous Chess Nuts Prom Committee Drama (Fall Play) Future Business Leaders Rosary Club Respect Life Club Computer Club Environmental Club International Club Model UN Varsity Club Audio/Visual Club Aevidum Red Cross Club Dance Team Serteen MiniTHON C.A.S.T. (Crusade Against Slaver and Trafficking)
A COMMITMENT TO THE ARTS In a day and age when the Arts seem to be under assault - serving as an easy target for budgetary cuts in schools across the country - Lancaster Catholic stands stronger than ever in our commitment to support them. At Lancaster Catholic, the Fine and Performing Arts are not an “extra”, they are one of the crown jewels of our program. In fact, we currently offer more programs in music, art and theater than at any time in our school’s history. We firmly believe that young people’s academic, spiritual and personal lives are enriched by their encounter with the beauty, the mystery and the heritage of an Arts-rich curriculum. We offer a full array of courses, ensembles, productions and recitals. Students may earn an additional credential - a Fine and Performing Arts Certificate - by taking a prescribed number of courses and participating in annual productions or recitals. Our students compete in local, regional and national competitions in chorus, art, orchestra, band, writing, drama and poetry. We are one of only a handful of schools across the country which offers a course in Dramaturgy. In addition to these electives, all students take an Introduction to Humanities course as a graduation requirement. We are confident that you will find no other school in the county with the commitment to the Fine and Performing Arts as Lancaster Catholic High School.
COURSES Introduction to Humanities Honors Humanities Individual Music Instruction History of Music Music Theory AP Music Theory Band (Marching Band and Concert Band) Chorus Concert Choir Independent Music Composition Art I, II and III Ceramics AP Art History Acting Technique I & II Dramaturgy
ENSEMBLES AND PRODUCTIONS Concert Band Marching Band Pep Band Orchestra (co-op with LMHS) Spring Musical - cast, crew and orchestra String Ensemble Guitar Ensemble Jazz Band Percussion Ensemble Brass Ensemble Woodwind Ensemble Concert Choir Mixed Chorus Mass Choir Fall Play
Invested
Relevant
TRADITION MEETS TECHNOLOGY An effective education draws upon the timeless lessons of the past while integrating the advances of new knowledge. At Lancaster Catholic, we embrace the classic approaches of dialogue and debate, small group discussions and lecture, presentations and projects. At the same time, we make full use of the technological advances available to students and staff. All classrooms are equipped with interactive SMART boards. In 2012, we launched our Bring Your Own Technology initiative, allowing students to fully utilize their own smart phones, iPads, tablets and laptops. We are now preparing to move to full one-to-one technology - with all students receiving a school-issued iPad. Our entire building is Wi-Fi enabled. Other resources include our computer lab, traveling technology carts for classroom use (both iPad and laptops), expanded resources for student research and 3 fully integrated TEAL (Technology-Enabled-Active-Learning) classrooms. Lancaster Catholic is also part of the Pennsylvania Hybrid Initiative - offering several classes in a blended format of direct instruction, small group collaboration and on-line instruction.
LANCASTER CATHOLIC DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES INCLUDE: AP MACROECONOMICS AP MICROECONOMICS GAME DESIGN AP ART HISTORY AP PSYCHOLOGY AP CALCULUS II JAPANESE I & II MANDARIN (CHINESE) I & II AP COMPUTER SCIENCE
Lancaster Catholic has a comprehensive Distance-Learning program. This program allows us to offer additional courses to our students. A full-time, Distance-Learning Coordinator assists students and ensures that they stay “on track” throughout the year. Coursework may be completed at home, in our Distance-Learning Lab, or a combination of both.
LANCASTER CATHOLIC STUDENTS‌ ATTEND TOP COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES EARN APPOINTMENTS TO MILITARY ACADEMIES MERIT OVER 3 MILLION DOLLARS IN SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS EACH YEAR PERFORM MORE THAN 10,000 SERVICE HOURS ANNUALLY
PREPARATION FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL A Lancaster Catholic education solidly prepares young people for future academic and professional life. It also equips them to encounter the cultural and personal challenges they may face in their daily lives. This preparation begins by providing students the opportunity to interact with the larger community. Education and preparation for life cannot simply happen within a building. Students in the Christian Service class spend 3 mornings or afternoons per week assisting at a local elementary school, nursing home, hospital or other community organization. Humanities and foreign language classes visit cultural sites in New York City and Washington D.C. English classes travel to the National Holocaust Museum, Vietnam and World War II Memorials. Summer work camp students have travelled to Baltimore, Charlotte, Wheeling, Madison, New Orleans and Greensboro. Lancaster Catholic students participate in the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce Women in Business mentoring program and attend the Annual Business Expo. Students may also participate in our own Corporate Mentor Program - where they are matched with a working professional within a field of their own interest. These experiences more fully prepare our students for their departure from Lancaster Catholic. They arrive on college campuses around the country with a first-class education and a world-view grounded in faith and service to humanity. We prepare students for the temporal and the eternal.
For more information about our Partner Catholic Elementary Schools, please go to www.lchsyes.org/partnerelementary.
650 Juliette Avenue | Lancaster, PA 17601 717.509.0313 | www.lchsyes.org