Admissions Viewbook 2024-25 by Xavier High School

GREAT ACTS BEGIN IN MOMENTS OF COURAGE

Jaiden Roberts ’22, now a student at Howard University.

WHAT DOES COURAGE LOOK LIKE?

IT LOOKS LIKE:

Exploring new perspectives, testing new theories, deepening your conscience, and expanding your consciousness.

Speaking with candor, listening with compassion, debating in good faith. Standing up for your beliefs—and questioning them when warranted.

Helping a friend or a stranger in need—and asking for help when you need it. Pursuing justice, seeking truth, advocating for others.

Following your imagination to unfamiliar places. Working with a disciplined mind, a generous heart, and a joyful soul.

Being a man for others, a citizen of conscience, a leader of commitment. A Son of Xavier.

AP English Lit gets serious—and creative— about the relevance of the great Italian writer

DIEGO LOPEZ ’22: “For the final project in our class on Dante, Ms. Gonzalez had us work in small groups to create a modern version of the Inferno.”

MS. GONZALEZ: “Each group brings in materials and turns their space into a little workshop. And we transform the classroom—we cover the walls in red, buy tons of decorations. It’s a fantastic way to end the year.”

NEIL PASAWALA ’22: “Communication was key. As people in the group developed ideas, we’d share them and get feedback and revise. We had to work seamlessly.”

MICHAEL GREGG ’22: “I had a great time brainstorming with my peers. Creative group projects make me feel really engaged with the material.”

MS. GONZALEZ: “The students do amazing work. One group made a video game. One made a Lego Inferno. The process is so collaborative, so social, and it allows students to solve problems together. The more we can do to keep students talking to one another, truly seeing one another, and working together, the healthier we are as a community.”

Michael Gregg (now at Rice University), James McGillick (Georgetown University), Diego Lopez (Vanderbilt University), and Neil Pasawala (Emory University).

Ryan D’Auria now attends Fairfield University, one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. As a Jesuit high school, Xavier has deep ties to each of those institutions of higher learning.

SPRING AWAKENING

A four-day retreat leads to new ideas and new plans

Ryan D’Auria ’23 had always been a good student—and every good student struggles sometimes. At the start of his junior year, he was wrestling with the material in a course on ethics taught by Campus Minister Pablo Talavera. The material was getting the better of him. By the end of spring term, something had changed.

“Ryan is a man of his word,” says Mr. Talavera. “He said he wanted to improve, and he did. He kept coming to my office for extra help.” At the same time, he got more engaged in Campus Ministry. And then he went on Kairos.

A voluntary four-day retreat, Kairos is a studentled series of conversations, prayer opportunities, and moments of deep reflection. For Ryan, it was a watershed.

“Kairos was eye-opening,” he says. “That experience changed me. I became more empathetic, and I realized how blessed I am to live the life that I live.”

“A central tenet of Jesuit education is cura personalis,” says Mr. Talavera. “We educate the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. Kairos is a great example of that.”

In AP Chemistry, students see the world differently

Brendan Barry ’23 was the only junior in Mr. Ratheram-Browne’s AP Chemistry class. It was a challenge at first, but he loved the labs and the hands-on experience. And Mr. Ratheram-Browne’s passion for the subject was impossible to resist.

“I enjoyed the class so much,” says Brendan. “I was interested in chemistry, but Mr. Ratheram-Browne brought it to life in this unique way that made me get serious about it.”

“Chemistry changes how you see the world,” says Mr. Ratheram-Browne. “When I see a leaf, I see chemistry; I see all the chemical processes happening inside that leaf. To be able to share this amazing field with students at Xavier—who are so curious, who have so much energy—that’s why I love teaching.”

Brendan Barry is now a chemistry major at Colgate University.

Danny Edwards, D’Angelo Brown, Michael Puccio, and Mehdi Merah.

PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER

Four students talk about the pride and pleasure of playing sports

D’ANGELO BROWN ’25, CROSS COUNTRY, TRACK AND FIELD

“Being involved in sports has taught me responsibility—time management, how to balance different demands. But what I enjoy most is being part of a team. I’ve learned to put the performance of the team first. I want to win for my teammates. That spirit pushes me to do my best.”

DANNY EDWARDS ’24, BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL

Now attending Iona University.

“I’ve grown as a person in so many ways by playing sports. They help me stay focused. The discipline I’ve learned in sports is the kind of discipline I bring to my studies. I’ve become a better communicator—better at listening, and better at saying what I need.”

MEHDI MERAH ’24, FOOTBALL, RUGBY

Now attending St. Bonaventure University.

“I am deeply thankful to the Xavier athletics program. When my father’s military contract ended, I had to choose whether or not I would go back with my parents to France. I chose to stay at Xavier and pursue my dreams. It’s tough being away from my family, but I know this situation will strengthen me mentally and physically and prepare me for success in life.”

MICHAEL PUCCIO ’23, SWIMMING, RUGBY

Now attending Fairfield University.

“I love the camaraderie of the team. In my first year on the swim team, the seniors looked out for me—they treated me like a little brother. Now I’m doing the same for incoming students.”

When you’re hungry for spiritual fulfillment, where do you start?

JIM HEDERMAN, S.J., RELIGION FACULTY:

“I first met C.J. when he was feeling the pressure of the world to settle for a false self. He wanted something different. He wanted to get confirmed—and he asked me to be his teacher.”

C.J. MARLIN ’23: “Before attending Xavier, I was not the most faithful person. Sure, I went to Mass with my family, but on many occasions my heart and soul were not in it. From then to now, I could not be a more different person.”

FR. HEDERMAN: “Spiritual connection is a human need. We’re all hungry for it. When students start to make that connection, I can see it: It’s a quiet, joyful, fulfilling, peaceful happiness.”

C.J.: “During the pandemic, Fr. Hederman started an online group to pray the Rosary for spiritual assistance. My mom and I joined the group, and it made a real impact. During a time of isolation, it connected me to Xavier—and to my faith.”

FR. HEDERMAN: “Jesuit schools have a reputation for excellence. What that means in practice is that we see students in their totality and help them become their most authentic, most awesome self. To me, that’s a spiritual practice.”

C.J. Marlin is a Posse Scholar at Franklin & Marshall College.

Matt Baker, Pat Dormer, and Jack Johnson.

RUNNING LESSONS

On and off the track, Coach

Pat Dormer P’17 leads his students to success

On Pat Dormer’s first day coaching Xavier’s track and field team, there were 11 students signed up for the program. This year—after three decades as head coach—he finds himself with 225 bright and eager students, ready to run.

“Everyone has a place in my team,” Coach Dormer says. “As long as you put the work in, you get to run.”

Hard work has proved to be a winning philosophy. For the past seven years, Xavier’s track team has placed in the top four in the New York state finals.

“I always tell my students that talent is only 5% of success,” says Coach Dormer. “The other 95% is showing up on time and working hard. It’s a lesson that serves them for the rest of their lives.”

For Matt Baker ’16, who now works in the fashion industry, this couldn’t be more accurate. “Coach Dormer made me want to become a better person, both on and off the track,” says Matt, Xavier’s current triple jump record holder. “He forged organic relationships with us and really got to know us as individuals. He helped me envision my career.”

Jack Johnson ’12, general manager of a popular gastropub and head coach of the Xavier golf team, was once a history student of Coach Dormer’s and now considers him a friend. “He’s been so supportive of me since day one. The golf program wouldn’t be what it is without the lessons he taught me.”

“Matt and Jack found what they were passionate about at Xavier,” Coach Dormer says. “And it’s led them to truly great things. That’s what’s special about this place. That’s what makes Xavier different. We help students become the best version of themselves.”

XAVIER A–X

Essential information about the Xavier experience

ACADEMICS

Our academic program meets students where they are—and challenges them to go further. With 17 AP courses, honors options in every field, and a range of specialized electives, we encourage students to explore new ideas, master new skills, and broaden and deepen their vision of themselves, their community, and the work they might do in the world. To us, education is driven by the courage to think critically, listen compassionately, and engage with timeless questions and urgent issues. We study the classics (we offer four years of Latin), we look ahead (all freshmen take a coding class), and we nurture a love of learning, shaped by a sense of pride and purpose in the process.

ADMISSIONS

Graduates frequently tell us about how instrumental their time at Xavier was— how it shaped their character, sharpened their intellect, gave them lifelong friends, felt like a second home. We invite your family to share in the experience. Our admissions team is ready to help you learn more about Xavier, visit our campus on 16th Street, and (we hope!) apply.

ARTS

The arts are an essential part of our curriculum—and an integral part of daily life. We offer 24 arts courses and dozens of opportunities to perform, exhibit, produce, and participate in making art. A few examples: Our award-winning Blue Night Band has performed in jazz festivals across the country. The Xavier

Dramatics Society produces ambitious shows (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Mousetrap, Something Rotten!) in a performance space with professional-grade sound and lighting systems. And our annual Festival of the Arts brings together current students and alumni for a celebration of visual and performing art.

ATHLETICS

Our athletic program is rooted in cura personalis, a Latin term meaning “care for the whole person.” It’s also rooted in winning the right way: embracing challenges, loving the process, respecting your competition, modeling sportsmanship, taking responsibility for yourself and your team. More than 60% of our students play on at least one of our 41 teams across 20 sports. We strive for wellness in everything we do. That’s why we have a full-time strength and conditioning coach on staff; why we’re guided by modern sports medicine and exercise science; and why we have a partnership with NYU Langone Health. We play with integrity, with discipline, with joy, and with respect—for our health and for the game.

CLUBS

Part of caring for the whole person is encouraging growth outside of the classroom. In more than 60 clubs, students pursue their individual interests, develop their diverse talents, and strengthen their relationships within the Xavier community.

SAMPLE ELECTIVES

Architectural Design and 3D Modeling

Astronomy and Astrobiology

Engineering

Entrepreneurship

Environmental Science

Financial Accounting

Introduction to Economics

Journalism

Moviemaking and Editing with Premiere Pro

Photoshop for Designers

Robotics

Stagecraft

Theology, the Environment, and Climate Change

Voices of the Harlem Renaissance

VARSITY SPORTS

Baseball

Basketball

Bowling

Cross Country

Esports

Fencing

Football

Golf

Ice Hockey

JROTC Drill Team

JROTC Raiders

JROTC Rifle Team

Lacrosse

Rugby

Soccer

Swimming and Diving

Tennis

Track and Field

Volleyball

Wrestling

SAMPLE CLUBS

African-American Culture Club

Asian-American Culture Society

Birding Team

Cartooning and Illustration Club

Chess Club

Culinary Club

Engineering Club

Entrepreneurial and Investment Society

Environmental Solidarity Club

Gay-Straight Alliance

Irish-American Society

Italian Culture Club

Jewish-American Club

LatinX Club

League of Computer Scientists

Math Club

Medical Science Club

Microfinance Club

Military History Club

Mock Trial

Model UN

National Honor Society

Paintball Club

Philosophy and Ethics Club

Photography Club

Poetry Club

Rock Climbing Club

The Review (newspaper)

Ski and Snowboard Club

South Asian Culture Club

Speech and Debate

Sports Management Club

Stage Crew

Student Leadership Council

Xavier Dramatics Society

Yearbook

COLLEGE COUNSELING

To us, high school isn’t simply a stepping stone to the next stage of your education— it’s the foundation of a rich and fulfilling life. Many of our graduates enroll at top-ranked liberal arts colleges (Amherst and Williams, Bowdoin and Middlebury) and universities (Penn and Princeton, Duke and Caltech), and all of our graduates find a school that matches their dreams and ambitions. We take a team approach to college counseling, empowering students to thoroughly consider where they will be most successful and maximizing the partnership between students, families, and our counselors to help them reach their goals.

Selected

Colleges and Universities

Where Four or More Xavier Graduates

Matriculated, 2020-24

Binghamton University

Boston College

Bucknell University

College of the Holy Cross

Cornell University

Emory University

Fairfield University

Fordham University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Indiana University Bloomington

Lafayette College

Lehigh University

Loyola University Chicago

New York University

Northeastern University

Pennsylvania State University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rochester Institute of Technology

Santa Clara University

Stony Brook University

Syracuse University

Trinity College Dublin

Tulane University

University of Chicago

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Vanderbilt University

Villanova University

THE GRAD AT GRAD

Formally known as the Profile of the Graduate at Graduation, a cornerstone of Jesuit secondary education around the world, the Grad at Grad spells out the characteristics and skills that define our graduates: They are open to growth, intellectually competent, religious, loving, and committed to doing justice. The way we teach, the way we learn, the community we create—everything about Xavier is shaped in some way by the aspirations outlined in the Grad at Grad.

IGNATIAN SCHOLARS

The Ignatian Scholars Program is a two-year program designed for our most intellectually gifted and academically motivated students who want to maximize their learning experience. Ignatian Scholars pursue a rigorous course of honors study and, if they continue to excel, are invited to take the many Advanced Placement courses Xavier offers. Most Ignatian Scholars apply to and are accepted into the National Honor Society. Scholars also participate in a social entrepreneurship program, attend lectures by guest speakers, visit the city’s cultural and artistic landmarks, and connect with Xavier alumni in a range of fields.

JESUIT EDUCATION

Synonymous with academic rigor, a Jesuit education prizes inquiry and curiosity as part of cura personalis. Our Jesuit roots trace back to 1548, when the Society of Jesus opened its first school in Messina, Sicily. Education soon became a cornerstone of the Society’s work around the world. Today, more than 3,700 Jesuit schools across six continents educate nearly 2.5 million students. There are 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States as well as more than 50 high schools and 17 pre-secondary schools.

JROTC

Established in 1935, the Xavier JROTC program is renowned in New York City and across the nation. Today, the Regiment remains a popular educational and character formation option for Xavier students, and it continues to distinguish itself as one of the top JROTC units in the country, repeatedly earning the Gold Star as an honor unit with distinction.

LOCATION

We’re proud to be an integral part of Chelsea, one of New York City’s great neighborhoods, two blocks from Union Square Park. We use the city as a classroom; students often take class trips or conduct research at leading cultural and scientific institutions a few blocks or subway stops away. We’re also near a transportation hub, which helps explain why our students come from nearly 200 ZIP codes. Xavier students commute from across New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and New Jersey, taking the L, M, F, N, R, Q, A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or the PATH Train to 14th Street. The Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Park Avenue South buses stop near Xavier as well. Many students from New Jersey and Long Island travel into Penn Station, while those from Westchester travel into Grand Central Terminal, then make their way to Xavier.

Nearby Attractions

Center for Jewish History

Chelsea Market

The High Line

National Museum of Mathematics

The New School

New York University

Rubin Museum of Art

School of Visual Arts

The Strand Bookstore

Tibet House US

Union Square Park

Washington Square Park

Whitney Museum of American Art

MAROON AND BLUE DAY

Our community finds joy and meaning in traditions. One of our most beloved traditions is Maroon and Blue Day, a high-spirited series of games held on 16th Street at the beginning of the school year. Students divide into teams based on our school colors and compete for a dress-down day later in the year (and bragging rights, of course). The games—pie-eating contests, relay races, karaoke competitions—are proof that we get inspired by a good challenge.

RETREATS

Retreats are part of our school culture, part of Ignatian spirituality, and part of a Xavier student’s character formation. Some retreats are required of all students: The Via Dei retreat welcomes freshmen into our community of faith; sophomores attend the Montserrat retreat with their advisory group. Some retreats are voluntary. Juniors can participate in a Kairos retreat; seniors can choose from one of three retreat options offered during their final year; students of color can explore their identities on the Pamoja retreat. Every retreat is an opportunity to seek clarity, embrace complexity, and strengthen your relationship to your character, your faith, and your community.

SERVICE AND IMMERSION PROGRAMS

Service is part of our Jesuit, Catholic mission. We ask our students to heed the call to be men for others—on campus, in the city, and beyond. One major example: Our Companions of St. Francis Xavier (CFX) program, through which groups of students and faculty travel to a community in need, learn how they can serve that community, and get to work. CFX participants live simply, reflect together on their experiences, and explore the role of service in their lives. Annual CFX trips work with communities in New Jersey, Maryland, Tennessee, South Dakota, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.

TUITION ASSISTANCE

We’re determined to keep a Jesuit education on 16th Street accessible and affordable for new generations of Xavier students—in part because we’re dedicated to serving those in need, and in part because we understand the value of a diverse academic community. We offer close to $4 million in need-based aid every year. We also offer generous meritbased academic scholarships. Nearly 40% of our students receive some form of tuition assistance.

XAVIER

Xavier is the name of our school. Xavier— Francis Xavier—was a man of courage, one of the church’s greatest missionaries. Bold, charismatic, joyful, Francis Xavier was a guiding presence in the founding of the Society of Jesus and is a saint in the Catholic Church. To us, Xavier stands for a way of living: Acting with integrity. Seeking the good in others. Creating community. Working for justice. Approaching the world with curiosity and compassion and creativity. Finding the courage to be worthy of those who have come before you, to serve those alongside you, to be an inspiration to those who have yet to know the name Xavier.