Fenwick High School (Oak Park, Illinois) Explained

Fenwick High School
Streetaddress:505 Washington Boulevard
Zipcode:60302
Country:United States
President:Fr. Richard Peddicord, O.P.
Principal:Fr. Richard Peddicord, O.P. (interim)
Teaching Staff:77.4
Ratio:15.3
Type:Private secondary
Grades:9–12
Campus:Large suburb
Conference:Chicago Catholic League & Girls Catholic Athletic Conference
Motto:Veritas
School Colors:Black and white
Yearbook:Blackfriars Yearbook
Publication:Touchstone
Newspaper:The Wick
Opened:1929
Enrollment:1,184[1]
Enrollment As Of:201516

Fenwick High School is a private Catholic college preparatory school located in Oak Park, a town in Cook County, Illinois that is bordered by Chicago on the north, east, River Forest and Forest Park on the West, and Cicero and Berwyn on the south. Fenwick was founded in 1929[2] and is a ministry of the Province of St. Albert the Great (Dominican Friars). It is the only school directly operated and staffed by the Order of Preachers (Dominican friars) in the United States.[3] It is named in honor of the first Bishop of Cincinnati, Dominican friar Edward Dominic Fenwick, O.P.. Fr. Richard Peddicord, O.P. has served as president of Fenwick High School since July 1, 2012. After a nearly year-long principal search, it was announced in April 2023 that Mark Rasar would be the next principal of Fenwick.[4] On December 4, 2023, it was announced that Rasar would be leaving abruptly, after less than 6 months in the role. President Fr. Richard Peddicord, O.P. will serve as interim principal until a replacement is found.[5]

History

Fenwick High School was founded as an all-boys college preparatory high school in 1929 by the Catholic Order of Dominican Fathers and Brothers of the Province of St. Joseph. Since its founding, Fenwick has maintained a strict dress code which includes slacks, dress shirts and ties for the boys and plaid skirts and knee-high socks for the girls. During assemblies, blazers must be worn. Fenwick was originally intended to be a prep school for matriculation to the University of Notre Dame in the Midwest and Georgetown University on the East Coast, similar to Phillips Academy Andover's matriculation to Yale, Portsmouth Abbey School's matriculation to Fordham University and Boston College and Phillips Exeter Academy's matriculation to Harvard. Today, Fenwick's students matriculate to many top American and international universities.[6] In 1939, the St. Joseph Province was divided and Fenwick High School became part of the new Province of St. Albert the Great, with headquarters in Chicago. Fenwick became coeducational in 1992, rather than raise tuition costs or see enrollment decline.[7] Today, Fenwick is known as a secondary school. Students have access to many athletic facilities, including a baseball field, two football fields, a softball diamond, a pool, and a soccer field on the campus of Fenwick's Dominican Priory in the nearby suburb of River Forest.

Since its founding, Fenwick has maintained a 100% college matriculation rate.[8]

In 1983, Fenwick was selected by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School.[9] On January 18, 1999, U.S. News & World Report classified Fenwick as an "Outstanding American High School", making Fenwick tied for the #1 ranked preparatory school in the Chicago area.[8] For 2009, Fenwick's 290 student class had 211 of them receive 718 academic scholarships to top universities around the country with the monetary value of these awards in excess of $16,000,000 (up from $13,900,000 in 2008–2007, $12,555,800 in 2007-2006 and 9,370,000 in 2006– 2005). The 2009 graduating class also boasted 187 Presidential Scholars and 30 National Merit Finalists, with 22 additional receiving commendation for being named to the top 5% in the nation.[10] Fenwick's 2010–2011 class achieved $40,000,000 in merit based scholarships.[11]

Around the time Fenwick started admitting girls, there was a proposal to officially move classes to the school's priory in River Forest, or construct a brand new school in collaboration with nearby Trinity High School, its all-girls counterpart run by the Dominican Sisters.[3] The idea almost passed, but was dropped when Fenwick insisted on maintaining complete control over the standards of the new school. Instead, Fenwick has commenced several expansion campaigns at their present location in Oak Park based around their original Neo-gothic designed school created by the New York architect Wilfred E. Anthony, who also redesigned the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Indiana for the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.[12] The latest expansions include: a new field house with a 1,100-seat gymnasium and a 450-seat natatorium; several new classrooms and updated athletic lockers; a new school entrance and gateway inspired by the Arch at Northwestern University; and additional science laboratories and art studios, all of which are in keeping with the original Neo-gothic look of Fenwick's school and priory.[13]

Fenwick is the only high school in the United States owned and operated by the Dominican Order.[3]

Academics

The first sentence of the school's philosophy statement, defines the school as a "college preparatory high school".[14] Students are required to study four years of theology, English, mathematics, and a foreign language in order to graduate.[15]

As a part of the third-year theology course, students are required to plan and conduct a "Christian Service Project". The project requires a minimum of thirty hours of service, no more than 20 of which may be completed prior to the start of the student's junior year.[16]

The school offers AP Calculus BC, and gives students the option to take either the "AB" or "BC" test at the end of the year. Beyond AP Calculus, the school offers courses in multivariable calculus, linear algebra and differential equations.[17]

Extracurricular achievements

Athletics

The Fenwick Friars compete in two conferences. Male teams compete in the Chicago Catholic League (CCL), while the female teams compete in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. The school competes in state championship series sponsored by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).Prior to the institution of a state playoff system for football in the 1970s, Fenwick competed to play in the Prep Bowl, which pitted the champions of the CCL against the champion of the Chicago Public League. Fenwick won two Prep Bowl titles at the game's usual home of Soldier Field. The first was in 1945, when a crowd of 80,000 fans saw Fenwick defeat Tilden High School, 20–6. The second was in 1962, and saw Fenwick defeat Schurz High School, 40–0. The win not only capped an undefeated season, but was played before over 91,000 fans; the third-largest crowd to witness a high school football game in Illinois history. The 1945 game is tied for seventh in terms of crowd size.[18] The Prep Bowl has continued as a separate competition since the introduction of the statewide playoff, for teams which do not make those playoffs or are eliminated early, and Fenwick has won it in 1991 and 2010.[19]

Sports Illustrated has added Fenwick to its list of the "50 Best High School Athletic Programs in the Country", recognizing Fenwick as having the best athletic program in Illinois.[20] Fenwick's 2006–2007 swimming and swim/polo teams produced 12 NISCA Academic All-American athletes.[21] [22] For 2009, two state championships were achieved in water polo, 11 regional, sectional or supersectional championships were earned, along with 15 conference titles. There were also 17 All-State athletes, 19 All-American athletes and 12 All-Academic athletes named. Five students were granted NCAA athletic scholarships.[23]

Non-athletic activities

Fenwick's academic teams are also highly competitive. The Math Team was state champion in 2002, in large part to the great teaching of Roger Finnell, a teacher there for 50 years now,[24] and has also been the highest scoring private school in the AA Division for 14 years in a row.[25] 2009 marks the 16th consecutive year for Fenwick's Math Team to qualify for state.[6]

The Wick (school newspaper), The Blackfriars Yearbook, and the Touchstone (literary magazine), have all been recognized with awards by the American Scholastic Press Association. The 2006–2007 edition of Touchstone was awarded first place with special honors by the American Scholastic Press Association, placing Fenwick's publication at the top 5% of all high school literary publications in the country. Touchstone has earned 970/1000 possible points by the American Scholastic Press Association, thereby allowing it to be a contender for the "Most Outstanding High School Literary and Art Magazine".[6] [26]

Notable alumni

Public service and politics

Arts, sciences, and letters

Athletics and gaming

Business and industry

Notable staff

Additional information

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Search for Private Schools - School Detail for Fenwick High School . National Center for Education Statistics.
  2. Web site: Fandal, O.P. . Damian . To the Dominican Laity – 1979 . Dominicans: Order of Preachers . September 26, 1978 . May 29, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061209121609/http://www.op.org/domcentral/preach/fandal/fanwick.htm . December 9, 2006.
  3. Web site: Ministries – Dominican Vocations . Province of St. Albert the Great . 2006 . May 30, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070116150948/http://www.domcentral.org/vocations/min.html . January 16, 2007 . dead.
  4. Web site: 2023-04-18 . Fenwick Names New Principal . 2023-11-19 . Fenwick High School . en.
  5. Web site: Rodriguez . Amaris E. . 2023-12-06 . Fenwick principal resigns after six months in post . 2023-12-20 . Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest . en-US.
  6. The Magazine, Fall 2007, Robert Dixon, Oak Park, Il.
  7. News: Fenwick High to Open Doors to Girls . . December 1, 1990.
  8. Book: 2007 . Private Independent Schools . 60th . Wallingford, CT . Bunting & Lyon Inc. . 978-0-9130-9460-0.
  9. Web site: Blue Ribbon Schools Program: 1982–1983 through 1999–2002 . U.S. Department of Education . 2002 . May 30, 2007 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20090326055622/http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.pdf . March 26, 2009.
  10. The Magazine, Fall 2007, Robert Dixon, Oak Park, Il. p.26
  11. http://www.fenwickfriars.com "About Fenwick scition: Welcome to Fenwick High School Home of the Friars".
  12. Book: Hope, Arthur J. . The Story of Notre Dame - 100 years . 1999 . University of Notre Dame Archives.
  13. Web site: Mitchell . L. . Fenwick High School: New Field House and Renovations . Project Management Advisors, Inc. . May 15, 2007 . July 31, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070928211718/http://www.pmainc.com/pdf/pma_fenwick.pdf . September 28, 2007 . dead.
  14. Web site: School Philosophy . Fenwick High School . https://web.archive.org/web/20070402133658/http://www.fenwickfriars.com/general/philos-general.php . dead . April 2, 2007.
  15. Web site: Student Handbook . 27–28 . Fenwick High School . https://web.archive.org/web/20120227034954/http://www.fenwickfriars.com/forms/Parent-Student%20Handbook-2007-2008.pdf . dead . February 27, 2012.
  16. Web site: Christian Service Project . Fenwick High School . https://web.archive.org/web/20050226064825/http://www.fenwickfriars.com/faith/juniorservice.php . dead . February 26, 2005.
  17. Web site: Course selection guide . Fenwick High School . https://web.archive.org/web/20030402161831/http://www.fenwickfriars.com/academics/selectionguide.php . dead . April 2, 2003.
  18. Web site: IHSA Boys Football All-Time General Records . Illinois High School Association . July 28, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080706025038/http://www.ihsa.org/activity/fb/records/agen.htm . July 6, 2008 . dead.
  19. Web site: CPS Prep Bowl History Page . Prep Bowl: Catholic League vs. Public League . cpsathletics.com . 27 April 2024.
  20. Armstrong . Kevin . Mahoney . John . June 19, 2007 . 50 Best High School Athletic Programs in the Country . Sports Illustrated.
  21. Web site: 2006–2007 NISCA/Speedo Boys High School Academic All-America . National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association . August 14, 2007 . November 16, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110727124011/http://www.niscaonline.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=AwvXbuE4kGE%3D&tabid=66&mid=412 . July 27, 2011 . 7 boys listed.
  22. Web site: 2006–2007 NISCA/Speedo Girls High School Academic All-America . National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association . August 14, 2007 . November 16, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110727124030/http://www.niscaonline.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=tItNSntFteY%3D&tabid=66&mid=412 . July 27, 2011 . 5 girls listed.
  23. Fenwick, The Magazine, Summer 2009.
  24. Web site: Woolsey . Josh . Atlantic-Pacific Contest Results (Division Update) . 3 . Atlantic-Pacific Mathematics League . March 6, 2007 . June 10, 2007.
  25. Annual Report . National Merit Scholarship Corporation . Evanston . 2006.
  26. Annual Contest/Review for Scholastic Yearbooks, Magazines and Newspapers . American Scholastic Press Association . 2007 . June 10, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080101085350/http://www.asan.com/asa/aspa1.htm . January 1, 2008.
  27. Web site: Biography of Senator Cronin . senatorcronin.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080724215523/http://www.senatorcronin.com/bio.html . July 24, 2008.
  28. Book: Dan, O'Brien . 1999 . Fenwick, Over the Years . Wheeling, Illinois . Northern Printing Network.
  29. Web site: USAAF Aces & Legends: William J. Cullerton . U.S. Army Air Force Resource Center.
  30. News: Maureen . O'Donnell . William J. Cullerton, Chicago's top flying ace of World War II, dies at 89 . Chicago Sun Times . January 14, 2013 . January 25, 2013.
  31. Web site: Dr. Joseph Kerwin . Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest . August 16, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080703172705/http://www.oprf.com/oprfhist/kerwinj.htm . July 3, 2008.
  32. Web site: Joseph P. Kerwin Hall of Fame biography . Friarsonline.com . August 16, 2008.
  33. Fenwick, The Magazine, Summer 2009
  34. Web site: Pat Quinn Hall of Fame bio . Friarsonline.com . August 16, 2008.
  35. News: Young U.S. Diplomat Remembered as 'One of the Best' . . Graham . Bowley . Monica . Davey . April 9, 2013.
  36. News: Fenwick: Friars a perennial powerhouse . Chicago Sun-Times . May 30, 2007 . May 30, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070704233716/http://www.suntimes.com/sports/preps/highschool/405893%2CCST-SPT-spot30.article . July 4, 2007.
  37. Web site: Philip Caputo Hall of Fame bio . Friarsonline.com . August 16, 2008.
  38. His film (Catholics vs Convicts) was made for the ESPN series 30 for 30 and profiled his Fenwick classmate and Notre Dame roommate Patrick Walsh. The film was nominated for an Emmy Award for Web site: Patrick Creadon Hall of Fame biography . August 16, 2008 . Friarsonline.com.
  39. Web site: Aimee Garcia Hall of Fame biography . Friarsonline.com . August 16, 2008.
  40. Fenwick Distinguished Alumni, weblink
  41. Web site: Bates Battaglia (Toronto Maple Leafs) . Sports Illustrated . August 16, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080130184028/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/players/1717/ . January 30, 2008.
  42. Web site: FindArticles.com - CBSi . July 27, 2008 . January 11, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160111085946/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5273/is_200003/ai_n20551420 . dead .
  43. Web site: John J. Lattner Fenwick Hall of Fame bio . Friarsonline.com . August 16, 2008.
  44. News: Setting the standard . Tim . Stablein . August 29, 2007 . Chicago Tribune . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081202084627/http://www.pioneerlocal.com/elmwoodpark/sports/531791%2Cel-lattner-082907-s1.article . December 2, 2008.
  45. Web site: Scottie Lindsey College Stats . College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  46. Web site: Corey Maggette Hall of Fame bio . Friarsonline.com . August 16, 2008.
  47. Web site: Corey Maggette career stats . NBA.com . August 16, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080725003615/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/corey_maggette/career_stats.html . dead . July 25, 2008.
  48. Web site: Fenwick alumni update on Ben Pozio . Friarsonline.com . August 16, 2008.
  49. Web site: Ben Ponzio - Poker Player . PokerListings.com.
  50. Web site: Mike Rabold Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards . DatabaseFootball.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20061019095531/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=RABOLMIK01 . dead . October 19, 2006.
  51. Web site: Dave Schrage Hall of Fame bio . Friarsonline.com . August 16, 2008.
  52. Web site: Dave Schrage Bio . The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics.
  53. Web site: Ken Sitzberger Hall of Fame bio . Friarsonline.com . August 16, 2008.
  54. Web site: Ken Sitzberger bio . International Swimming Hall of Fame . August 16, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081203232806/http://www.ishof.org/Honorees/94/94ksitzberger.html . dead . December 3, 2008.
  55. Web site: Robert Spillane (LB): Bio, News, Stats & more.
  56. Web site: Marques Sullivan Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards . DatabaseFootball.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100218101929/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=SULLIMAR01 . February 18, 2010.
  57. Calling It Quits . https://web.archive.org/web/20071014111547/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956312,00.html?iid=chix-sphere . dead . October 14, 2007 . . John S. . Demott . May 20, 1985.
  58. Web site: Edward Brennan Hall of Fame bio . friarsonline.com.
  59. News: Former Sears CEO Edward Brennan dies at 73 . December 29, 2007 . USA Today.
  60. Web site: A.G. Lafley bio . PG.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20151123165545/http://www.pg.com/content/pdf/04_news/mgmt_bios/Lafley-AG.pdf . dead . November 23, 2015.
  61. Web site: A.G. Lafley Hall of Fame bio . friarsonline.com.
  62. Web site: Michael Quinlan Hall of Fame bio . friarsonline.com.
  63. Web site: Michael R. Quinlan bio . Forbes.com.
  64. News: Wisconsin Approaches Coryell for Grid Coach . C1 . Chicago Tribune . December 5, 1969 . It was revealed earlier today that Hirsch also talked with UCLA Assistant Coach John Jardine ... Before that, he coached at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill. and compiled a 51–6–1 record ... . .