Archbishop Curley High School
| Archbishop Curley High School | |
|---|---|
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Quis et Deus Who is like unto God? | |
| Address | |
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3701 Sinclair Lane Baltimore, Maryland 21213-2079 United States | |
| Coordinates | 39°18′47″N 76°33′54″W / 39.31306°N 76.56500°WCoordinates: 39°18′47″N 76°33′54″W / 39.31306°N 76.56500°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private, All boys |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
| Patron saint(s) | St. Francis of Assisi |
| Established | 1961 |
| School board | President - Mr. Martin Wolf '76 |
| School district | Archdiocese of Baltimore |
| Oversight | Order of Friars Minor, Conventual |
| Superintendent | Dr. Barbara Edmondson |
| CEEB code | 210032 |
| President | Fr. Donald Grzymski '70, OFM Conv. |
| Principal | Mr. Brian Kohler |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 500+ |
| Average class size | 23 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 13:1 |
| Campus size | 33 acres (130,000 m2) |
| Campus type | Urban |
| Color(s) | Black and White |
| Athletics | MIAA |
| Athletics conference | A and B |
| Mascot | The Friar |
| Team name | Friars |
| Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools[1] |
| Tuition | $11,600 |
| Alumni | over 10,000 |
| Website | www.archbishopcurley.org |
Archbishop Curley High School, is a Roman Catholic men's high school located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore in the USA. It is affiliated with the Franciscan religious order. It is also the brother school to the neighboring all-girl school, The Catholic High School of Baltimore.
Early History
The school is named for Michael Joseph Curley, the tenth Archbishop of Baltimore and first Archbishop of Washington. It opened in September 1961 with a class of 420 freshmen, and was dedicated on April 17, 1962, by Cardinal Lawrence Shehan.
The building was designed by local architect Edward H. Glidden and is located on a 33-acre (130,000 m2) campus on the northeast edge of the City of Baltimore.
The first Head of School was Fr. Aloysius Balcerak, OFM Conv., who welcomed the first students to Curley as their Principal. The school's first graduating class matriculated in 1965.
Growth and Development
Archbishop Curley High School celebrated its 25th Anniversary during the 1985-1986 school year under principal Fr. Gregory Hartmayer (later Bishop of Savannah). During that year, a smaller wing was added onto the building to house the instrumental music department facilities, including a concert practice room. Additional athletic facilities were added in an adjacent wing, including the weight room and wrestling room.
In 1994, the school welcomed its first Head of School to also be an alumnus. Fr. Donald Grzymski, OFM Conv. graduated from Curley in 1970 and returned now to serve as principal. Fr. Grzymski's tenure as principal is most notable for transitioning the school to a president-principal model, where he would continue on as Head of School in the role of the Curley's first president. Under the leadership of Fr. Grzymski, the school undertook its first capital campaign, "Endowing Our Tradition," with the funds benefiting Curley's endowment. By 1996, Fr. Michael Martin, OFM Conv. '79 had joined Grzymski in the Administration as the school's principal.
By the year 2000, a shift had begun to take place among the faculty and staff. Three notable educators who had served since 1962 all retired after over 30 years each. As Mr. E. Patrick Maloney, Mr. Richard "Coach" Patry, and eventually Mr. Albert E. Frank all departed the school, a new trend was beginning to emerge. Alumni were increasingly returning to teach and work at their alma mater. By the dawn of the 21st Century, the school boasted over a dozen men who had come home to serve Curley again, both in leadership offices and in the classroom.
21st Century Expansion
At the start of the 21st century, with the endowment secured, the campus grounds were revamped with new fencing, a concession stand, and a new bowl stadium with terraced seating. After the completion of the Bowl project, Grzymski stepped down as president and Martin was appointed to succeed him. Martin would in turn be replaced as principal by Mr. Barry Brownlee. Brownlee had previously served as assistant principal under Martin, and was the first lay principal in school history.
At the end of the 2004-2005 school year, the first phase of a major facilities renaissance was begun. The Friary was reconstructed to better reflect the number of religious living on the grounds and the balance of the space provided room for the relocation of the Lawrence Cardinal Shehan Library to the second floor, adjacent to the academic wing of the building. The space previously occupied by the Library was renovated to house a new Fitness Center, with expanded weight training and wrestling room space. A center for the full-time athletic trainer was also added.
A grant provided funds for a rehabilitation of the Auditorium seating and in the summer of 2005, further renovations funded by a capital campaign provided a new faculty dining room, a relocated bookstore, conference rooms and offices for the development director, athletic director and alumni association. The science labs, school roof, tennis courts, and student lockers were also rehabilitated.
Capital Campaign Improvements
Under the theme "In Giving We Receive," an aggressive capital campaign was launched in 2008 to generate funds for improvements to the campus in advance of the school's 50th anniversary in 2011.
In the summer of 2008, a second parking lot was added and the interior roads were renovated, reestablishing the Auditorium lobby as the main entrance of the school. An elevator, making the academic wing ADA accessible, was completed in the spring of 2009. The Auditorium was also temperature-controlled for air-conditioning and heat. Additional renovations have included the Gymnasium, Main Office, Auditorium Lobby, and the Guidance Office.
In May 2009, ground was broken on a $4 million complex, the Holthaus Center for the Fine Arts. The center is named for Gerard E. Holthaus '67, then-CEO of Algeco Scotsman International, who made a $1 million leadership gift to the building campaign. The new facility, completed in May 2010, houses choral and instrumental music practice rooms, as well as storage for Blackfriars' Theatre and space for the Visual Arts Department. Offices for student media and student activities round out the state-of-the-art complex.
Curley celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary during the 2010-2011 school year in honor of its founding in 1960 and its opening in 1961. The theme was "A Year of Jubilee." The capital campaign concluded, with future plans still including a new baseball field (made possible from a land swap with the City), artificial turf for all of the athletic fields, a Field House practice facility, and a second Gymnasium.
Leadership Transitions
After nine years as President, Fr. Michael Martin announced in November 2009 that he was stepping down at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 school year. His successor, nominated by the School Board and the Friars and confirmed by Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, is Fr. Joseph Benicewicz '78, OFM Conv.
After assisting Fr. Joe with the transition to the President's Office, Barry Brownlee announced his retirement as Principal. His successor was named as Mr. Philip Piercy. Concurrent to this announcement, Joseph DellaMonica, Vice-President of Finance and Curley's longest-tenured employee (43 years), also announced his retirement. With additional changes in both Assistant Principal offices and Campus Ministry, 2011-2012 marks the largest leadership transition in the school's history.
In July 2014, the Archdiocese announced that Fr. Joe and Mr. Piercy would not continue in their roles for the 2014-15 academic year.
Academics
There are three distinct academic programs available at Archbishop Curley High School. Mobility and flexibility between programs is a key value of the curricula.
The Franciscan Program
The honors curriculum offers a rigorous course of study for intellectually gifted students. Franciscan Scholars as a stand-alone program within the Franciscan track, achieve baccalaureate honors through a Capstone project as well as numerous Advanced Placement courses and electives.
The Cupertino Program
The college-preparatory curriculum offers development in 21st Century skills for students performing at or near grade-level ability. Emphasis is placed on an inquiry-based system of study that engages students across disciplines.
The Anthony Program
The adaptive learning curriculum offers support and remediation to student with diagnosed learning differences. Resources are provided to assist students of all ability levels achieve their fullest potential.
Academic Departments
| Department | Chairperson | Faculty (Full-Time) | Instructors (Part-Time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Religious Studies | Jamie Long '98 |
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| English | Friar Douglas McMillan, OFM Conv. |
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| Social Studies | Christopher Ogle |
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| Science | Michael DeMarco |
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| Mathematics | John Dohler |
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| Foreign Language | Cheryl Jose |
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| Physical Education | Marty McGinty |
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| Fine Arts | Michael Gaffney |
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Campus Life
Campus Activities
The school boasts a large number of clubs and co-curricular activities (over 30) for students to participate in beyond the classroom. Intramural sports provide students an opportunity for informal recreation and competitive play throughout the school year. A comprehensive summer program for both recreation and academic enrichment is also offered annually.
Campus Ministry
Curley's Franciscan Youth Ministry program offers students opportunities for prayer, liturgy and fellowship; as well as a commitment to service, social justice, and community outreach.
Athletics
Archbishop Curley High School was a founding member of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA). After the disbanding of the Maryland Scholastic Association (MSA) in 1994, it was Fr. Robert Twele, then Curley's principal, who led the Committee to draft the new organization's constitution and its by-laws.[2] Consequently, championships from 1961 to 1994 are from the MSA and championships from 1995 to the present are from the MIAA.
| Sport | Season | Head Coach | Varsity Conference | JV Conference | Frosh Conference | Varsity Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soccer | Fall | Barry Stitz '87 | A | A | A | 1968, 1979, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2006 |
| Football | Fall | Sean Murphy | B | B | - | 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014 |
| Cross Country | Fall | Gene Hoffman '69 | A | A | - | 1975, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1990, 2002 |
| Volleyball | Fall | Joe D'Adamo '70 | A | A | - - | |
| Wrestling | Winter | Pat Curran '99 | A | A | - | 1981, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002 |
| Basketball | Winter | Brian Hubbard '98 | B | B | B | 1996, 2001 |
| Indoor Track | Winter | Gene Hoffman '69 | A | A | - | 1997, 2003, 2005 |
| Swimming | Winter | Brendan McElroy | B | - | - | 1987, 1988 |
| Ice Hockey | Winter | sport inactive | - | - | - | 2000, 2001 |
| Lacrosse | Spring | Christopher Ogle | B | B | - | 1969, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1986, 2007, 2008 |
| Track & Field | Spring | Gene Hoffman '69 | A | A | - | 1792, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Baseball | Spring | Brooks Norris '01 | A | A | - | 1969, 1970, 1978, 1983, 1999, 2001 |
| Tennis | Spring | Bobby Picarello | B | - | - | 1989, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Golf | Spring | Dave Ball | B | - | - - | |
Fine Arts & Student Media
| Program | Medium | Director/Moderator | Frequency of Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concert Band | Instrumental Music | David Stauffer | two annual school concerts, special events, annual interscholastic competition |
| Jazz Ensemble | Instrumental Music | David Stauffer | two annual school concerts, special events, annual interscholastic competition |
| Jazz Combo | Instrumental Music | David Stauffer | special events |
| Alumni Jazz | Instrumental Music | David Stauffer | "All That Curley Jazz" annually |
| Drumline | Instrumental Music | Rick Reely | three annual school pep rallies, special events, annual interscholastic competition |
| School Choir | Choral Music | Michael Gaffney | two annual school concerts, special events, school liturgies |
| Luminare Choir | Choral Music | Michael Gaffney | special events |
| Schola | Choral Music | Michael Gaffney | special events |
| Handbell Chorus | Choral Music | Michael Gaffney | Christmas Concert annually |
| MasterClass | Choral Music | Michael Gaffney | special arrangement annually |
| Blackfriars' Theatre | Drama | Edward Lawrence | one fall stage play and one spring musical annually |
| Art Club | Visual Arts | Mark Halcott '97 | annual spring art show |
| The Cord | School Yearbook | Cheryl Jose | One Issue Annually |
| The Curley Chronicle | School News Service | Greg Malanowski '70 | Monthly Issue |
Additional information
Connection with Franciscan Order
The School Board established by the Archbishop of Baltimore is responsible for the general operation and management of Archbishop Curley High School. There are currently four Franciscan friars on the full-time staff, with one other in-residence. In addition to the Franciscan Friars, the faculty also includes lay teachers.
Other Affiliations and Recognitions
The school is accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education and, through 2014, by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Beginning in 2010, all Archdiocese of Baltimore schools became accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This new accreditation will replace the MSA process.
The School Board received the Outstanding Board Award in 2007 from the National Catholic Educational Association.
Head of School
From 1961 until 1995, the Principal served as Head of School. Beginning in 1995 with its inception, and still today, the position of President serves as Head of School. The Principal still functions in the role of daily school management and as Chief Academic Officer, reporting to the President. A gallery of formal portraits featuring all the past Heads of School is on display in the Auditorium Lobby.
| Head of School | Title | Years in Office | Principal(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fr. Aloysius Balcerak | Principal | 1961–1967 | |
| Fr. Robert Grzybowski | Principal | 1967–1971 | |
| Fr. David Stopyra | Principal | 1971–1976 | |
| Fr. Leon Krop | Principal | 1976–1979 | |
| Fr. Linus DeSantis | Principal | 1979–1981 | |
| Fr. Mark Curesky | Principal | 1981–1982 | |
| Fr. Xavier Nawrocki | Principal | 1982–1985 | |
| Fr. Gregory Hartmayer | Principal | 1985–1988 | |
| Fr. Robert Twele | Principal | 1988–1994 | |
| Fr. Donald Grzymski '70 | Principal | 1994–1995 | |
| President | 1995–2001 |
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| Fr. Michael Martin '79 | President | 2001–2010 |
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| Fr. Joseph Benicewicz '78 | President | 2010–2014 |
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| Fr. Donald Grzymski '70 | President | 2014–present |
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Current Administration
- President - Fr. Donald Grzymski, OFM Conv. '70
- VP: Institutional Advancement - Mr. Barry Stitz '87
- VP: Operations & Finance - Mr. John Kogler
- Principal - Mr. Brian Kohler
- AP: Student Affairs - Mr. John S. Bowden
- AP: Academics - Mr. Zachary Dziedzic
Notable alumni
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Notable alumni
- Mickey Cucchiella, comedian and radio personality, is a morning disc jockey on 98 Rock in Baltimore. He attended Curley for his freshman year.
- Santino Quaranta, professional soccer player in Major League Soccer, attended the school his freshman and sophomore years as a starter on Varsity Soccer.
See also
Notes and references
- ↑ MSA-CSS. "MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools". Retrieved 2009-07-31.
- ↑ Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association. "About the MIAA". Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
- ↑ Baltimore City Council. "City Council Member Biography". Retrieved 2009-011-24. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ Maryland State Legislature. "House of Delegates Member Biography". Archived from the original on 25 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-011-25. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ Baltimore County Council. "County Council Member Biography". Retrieved 2009-011-24. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ Maryland State Legislature. "House of Delegates Member Biography". Archived from the original on 10 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-011-26. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ US State Dept. "Ambassador to Kenya". Archived from the original on 30 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-011-24. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ Baltimore Blast. "Baltimore Blast Team Bios". Retrieved 2009-011-25. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ Washington Bayhawks. "Washington Bayhawks Coaching Staff". Retrieved 2009-011-25. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ A&E Network. "Airline Cast & Crew". Retrieved 2009-011-25. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ CBS News (2002-10-09). "CBS News Bios". Retrieved 2009-011-25. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ "Apache Software Foundation". ASF. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- ↑ "OSI". OSI. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
External links
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