RCHS_Viewbook

RomanCatholic

HighSchool

Viewbook 11_Viewbook 11 6/27/11 2:23 PM Page 1

MissionRoman Catholic High School, a Catholic secondary educational institution, founded

in 1890 by Philadelphia businessman, Thomas E. Cahill, provides young men from

diverse social, economic and geographical backgrounds an education of academic

and cultural excellence in a scholarly and nurturing environment. The challenging

academic curriculum, a competitive athletics program and engaging activities

complement each other to foster courage, character and leadership.


AcademicLife

For more than a century, students at Roman Catholic High

School have excelled academically in the City of Philadelphia.

When Roman first opened its doors, it became one of two

high schools permitted to issue a Baccalaureate Degree to

students because the academic disciplines were so rigor-

ous. Although high schools are no longer able to confer

college diplomas on their students, Roman continues to

provide a comprehensive academic program in collabora-

tion with local colleges and universities. The academic

programs are among the most challeng-

ing, diverse, and

rewarding in the

area. It is no

surprise that

Roman

Catholic

High

School

has been

called by

many “The

Flagship of

the

Archdiocesan

High Schools.”

Roman is

accredited by the

State of Pennsylvania

and the Middle States

Association of Colleges

and High Schools.


The students of Roman Catholic High School travel from 122 different schools in the Delaware Valley.Roman's Center City location is one of its key assets. The school is pinpointed in the heart of the cityand is easy to reach from any neighborhood. Roman's Center City location provides its students witha multitude of work and career opportunities from Philadelphia businesses who contact students towork after school and during the summer. Recreationally, Center City offers plenty of interesting andexciting events for all interests in the areas of art, music, food, sports, and shopping.

Roman Catholic High School is located three blocks north of City Hall. Close proximity to the subway, buses and trains make Roman easily accessible from everywhere in the GreaterPhiladelphia/South Jersey Region.

All major forms of subway, surface, and elevated routes have drop-off points within a 5-blockradius of Roman. The C Bus stops in front of our door. Just across the streets are stops for NewJersey Transit, SEPTA's Route 27, and the Broad Street Subway. Access to Regional Rail Lines as well as PATCO are located just beneath the Grand Concourse of the new Pennsylvania ConventionCenter or at Suburban Station.

The Market-Frankford elevated line is just down the street at City Hall. SEPTA police patrollingthese areas, along with daily commuters heading to and from work, make for a safe journey in and out of Center City.

The Roads to Roman


F R O M T H E R E C T O R

RCHS

Dear Parents and Students,

You are welcome to preview the exciting tradition of the Roman CatholicCahillites! I wish you well as you finish your grade school career, and enter theprocess of making a decision that will have a great impact on your future. Youneed to choose a school that will be best for you. If you walk around the hal-lowed halls of Catholic High, you will meet many young men who will proudlytell you that Roman Catholic High School was a tremendous choice for them. Atthe heart of this choice and belief, we understand that we firmly follow theGospel Values and the Golden Rule of Jesus Christ, to treat and respect othersas we wish to be treated.

Roman Catholic High School is regarded as one of the best schools in the Philadelphia area. We offerstudents an educational opportunity which respects their abilities, and challenges each student to dohis best. I invite you to come to our Open House or to spend a day at Roman to see the advancedtechnology and supportive atmosphere that makes learning both challenging and fun too.

Along with our academic schedule, high school life is filled with opportunities toenjoy extracurricular activities and athletics. Roman Catholic has a wide variety of activities, such asyearbook, world affairs club, community service corps and chess club. Our athletic program offers adiversity of sports including crew, ice hockey, golf, tennis, lacrosse, football, basketball, soccer, track,baseball and more. Our sports programs are well respected throughout the Delaware Valley area aswell as across the nation. I invite you to attend one of our sporting events, so that you will experi-ence for yourself the Cahillite charisma that makes us so exciting.

Amongst any young man who achieves well academically, athletically or in activities, we are mostproud of the students who have chosen to become part of the tradition of Roman Catholic. Theiraccomplishments, in school and in their communities, are what make us so proud of them. Our stu-dents are guided and encouraged by our dedicated faculty members who support them as theymature into young men. In choosing Roman Catholic High School, our students have decided to takea positive direction in their lives.

Now, you too can make that choice to be in a school community that cares about you!

Please complete the enclosed Admissions Application soon, and also register for our Scholarship/Entrance test.

Thank you for considering Roman and I invite you to begin the process of becoming a student atRoman Catholic High School. God bless you and your family.

Peace,

Rev. John B. FlanaganPresident/Rector


Core Curriculumand CoursesIncoming freshmen can expect a full and

challenging roster that immediately begins

preparing them for college or employment.

The diversity of course work conforms with

guidelines set by the Commonwealth

of Pennsylvania and the Archdiocese of

Philadelphia. The typical freshman roster

includes World History I, Theology I, English I,

Computer Applications, Physical Education/

Health (one semester), Algebra I, Physical

Science or Biology, and the student’s choice

of either Italian, Spanish, French, German,

Art, Music, or Theatre. All of these courses

are offered on varying ability levels.

A.P. COURSES

American HistoryBiologyCalculusChemistryEnglishPsychologyStudio Art

ELECTIVES

American GovernmentAnatomy & PhysiologyBusiness LawChorus Digital PhotographyJudeo-Christian StudiesLatinMandarin ChineseMusicSports MedicineStatisticsTheater

Student BodyRoman reflects the rich diversity of people that make

southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey

so vibrant. Students are drawn from more than 122

Catholic parish grade schools, as well as various public

and private elementary schools around the Philadelphia

region. The student population brings to Catholic High

various ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds which

enhance the learning environment and provide a setting

in which simple daily life is an educational experience.

Roman is just the right size for you. We are large

enough to have the academic and extracurricular activi-

ties of a large school, yet sufficiently small to allow

for personal attention. More than 980 students from

throughout the Delaware Valley attend the high school.

Our 20 to 1 student-teacher ratio ensures students

receive the attention they need. Here, a collegial envi-

ronment exists, coupled with a facility that reminds a

person of a small classic European learning institution.

Because there are no neighborhood cliques, all students

feel included. The Middle States Association during

accreditation of Roman remarked on the “familiar

atmosphere” that exists between our faculty and

students. Remember, in deciding on a high school, one

important consideration must be where you feel most

comfortable and at ease. Roman is just the right place.


FacultyRoman’s dedicated faculty and staff understand

the unique concerns of their students and create

the best learning atmosphere for them. Most

faculty members arrive at school early, spending

free time tutoring students when needed. If one

phrase were used to describe the teaching philos-

ophy of Roman’s faculty, it would be “personal

responsibility”. Roman’s faculty expects a great

deal from the students, and they are willing to

help any student who needs assistance. However,

they fully expect the student to come to school

with homework finished and prepared to learn.

Roman's outstanding faculty is comprised of more

than 40 professional life-long teachers who con-

tinuously learn from their students. The faculty

has accumulated over 700 years of teaching

experience. Currently, more than 30%

have attained their master's

degree and 5 members have

received their doctorate

degrees.


UnlockingPotential

• Whatever the student's vocation, the College Admissions and Counseling Center will help direct him toward his proper goal in life.

• On average, 95% of Roman graduatesfurther their education at a four-yearinstitution.

• On average, Roman's graduating classreceives over $17 million in academicscholarships for college - the largestamount in the City of Philadelphia.

• 5% of each graduating class is accepted into the University ofPennsylvania.

Tradition and GuidanceThe graduates of Catholic High make up one of

the strongest Alumni Associations in the country.

Young men at Roman Catholic bond from the

moment they sit down at their first lunch until

they march out of the Cathedral singing “The

Purple and Gold.” The Catholic High Alumni

Association provides students with over $200,000

in academic scholarships each year.


ReligiousVisionRoman is particularly interested in and commit-

ted to the spiritual formation of each student.

The school serves to instill Gospel values and

enhance each student’s love and appreciation

for God’s presence in his life. In the classroom

and in the chapel, Christian values pervade

everything that happens at Roman. Regular

Masses, class retreats, Kairos retreats (for

seniors), Penance services, peer ministry and

Christian service contribute to a student’s

lifelong faith formation.

TechnologyThe technology at Roman Catholic High School

stands out in the forefront of education. Access

to the Internet for research and classroom

presentations is available throughout the

campus. The students at Roman Catholic use

the multi-media services as a common tool to

advance their education. In addition, most

classes offer an online interactive syllabus,

which enables students to learn and present

ideas over the Web.

MediaCenter The Mary and John McShain

Media Center is the corner-

stone of Renaissance Hall.

It contains a multi-media lab

and a state-of-the-art digital

television studio, making Roman a leader in the

field of integrating the latest technology into

the classroom. Roman students will be prepared

for today’s high-tech world.

Fine ArtsPositioned on the northern portion of the

Avenue of the Arts, Roman has assumed its

own distinguished place. Not only does the

school offer a four-year art program, but our

students also receive academic credit from the

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts by enrolling

in after-school courses. Rounding out our

dynamic Fine Arts Department are our note-

worthy four-year programs in Music, Chorus,

and Theatre. The award-winning music pro-

gram offers students the opportunity to play in

Marching, Rock and Jazz Bands. The Theatre

class performs an exciting show each year. No

previous experience is required to enroll in any

of these exciting courses.


SPORTS

BaseballBasketballBowlingCrewCross CountryFootballGolfIce HockeyIndoor Track & FieldLacrosseOutdoor Track & FieldRugbySoccerSwimmingTennisWrestling

ACTIVITIES

Ambassadors BandBig BrothersChess TeamCommunity Service CorpsCulture ClubsDebating TeamIntramuralsHomecoming DanceLiterary MagazineMock TrialNational Honor SocietyRoman PlayersSADDSchool NewspaperScience ClubStudent CouncilTelevision StudioWorld Affairs ClubYearbook

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

Christian ServicePrograms

Daily CommunionServices

Daily Mass

First Friday Mass

Grief Group Rosary Club

Kairos Retreat (Seniors)

Peer Ministry

Penance ServicesChaplet of Divine Mercy

Spiritual/PersonalCounseling

Underclass Retreats

Vocation Discernment

Student LifeLife at Roman stretches beyond the classroom to the

bandroom, the stage, the athletic fields and around the

world. Our students travel to area theatres, museums,

and cultural attractions in the city. International travel is

part of the opportunities Roman students have to visit

destinations such as Australia, Italy, and Greece.


Campus in the CityFor 120 years, Roman Catholic High School has majestically graced

the northeast corner of Broad and Vine Streets in Center City,

Philadelphia. Perched at this bustling intersection, Roman has

observed Vine Street grow from a small one-lane street into a major

thorough fare that links the Schuylkill Expressway and I-95. Likewise,

Catholic High has observed Broad Street undergo an equally wonder-

ful transformation and renaissance into the Avenue of the Arts.

Through all these grand changes Roman has remained a constant,

steering young men from all parts of our region and walks of life

into educated Christian gentlemen.

Today, Roman Catholic High School provides a collegiate experience

starting in the freshman year of high school. With the original 1890

building, Renaissance Hall, the McSherry Annex on 13th Street, the

RCHS Fine Arts Center, and the athletic facility at River Field on the

Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Roman students paint the city Purple and

Gold on a daily basis.

Wherever you go in the City of Philadelphia or in life, a member of

the Roman family will be there to welcome you with open arms.

Welcome toRomanCatholicHigh School.

Your future is inside.


For additional information, contact

Roman Catholic High School 301 North Broad StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19107

Admissions Office: (215) 627-1270 Ext. 159Fax: (215) 627-4979

E-Mail: [email protected]

www.RomanCatholicHS.com

Courage. Character. Conviction.


RCHS_Viewbook

Documents

roman catholic highschool

roman catholiccahillites

blockradius of roman

city of philadelphia

city hall

pm page

romans center city location

students towork