Gonzaga College High School Explained

Gonzaga College High School
Location:19 I Street Northwest
Zipcode:20001
Country:United States
Coordinates:38.9017°N -77.0106°W
Motto:Latin:
Ad maiorem Dei gloriamEnglish:
For the Greater Glory of God
Religious Affiliation:Roman Catholic (Jesuit)
Ceeb:090085
Founder:Anthony Kohlmann, S.J.
District:Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools[1]
President:Fr. Joseph E. Lingan, S.J.[2]
Headmaster:Thomas K. Every, II
Faculty:81.1 (2019–20)
Enrollment:964 (2019–20)
Grade9:244
Grade10:248
Grade11:237
Grade12:235
Ratio:11.9 (2019–20)
Colors:Purple and white[3]
Song:Alma mater
Team Name:Eagles
Accreditation:MSA[4]
Publication:The Gonzaga Magazine
Newspaper:The Aquilian
Endowment:$75,000,000[5]
Tuition:$31,630[6]

Gonzaga College High School is a private Catholic college-preparatory high school for boys in Washington, D.C. Founded by the Jesuits in 1821 as the Washington Seminary, Gonzaga is named in honor of Aloysius Gonzaga, an Italian saint from the 16th century. Gonzaga is the oldest boys' high school in Washington, D.C.[7]

History

Gonzaga was officially founded by Anthony Kohlmann, a Jesuit, in 1821, though there is some evidence the school began a few years earlier. It is the oldest educational facility in the original federal city of Washington and was at first called Washington Seminary, operating under the charter of Georgetown College (now Georgetown University), which was becoming too crowded for its space at the time. Gonzaga's original location was on land offered to the Society of Jesus by William Matthews[8] on F Street near 10th Street, N.W., in a building adjoining Saint Patrick's Church. The purpose of this school was to train seminarians, but soon after opening, it began admitting lay students.[9] The school was immediately popular among Catholic families and was well enough known in its early years to attract the attention of President John Quincy Adams, who visited the school to test the boys' Latin and Greek. However, there were financial problems that caused the Jesuits to withdraw in 1827: their order prohibited the charging of tuition at a day school for youth. It continued to be run by laity until the Jesuits returned some twenty years later (with the ordinance regarding tuition changed); President Zachary Taylor presided at the commencement exercises in 1849.

In 1858, Gonzaga was granted its own charter by Congress as a college empowered to confer degrees in the arts and sciences, which accounts for its name (Gonzaga College) to this day. Although some students did receive bachelor's degrees in the 19th century, Gonzaga no longer confers degrees, other than honorary doctorates presented to commencement speakers or other notable guests. In 1871, the school moved to a building (now called Kohlmann Hall) in a neighborhood called Swampoodle located just north of the U.S. Capitol. It was located on the same block as St. Aloysius Church – built in 1859 and now on the U.S. Register of Historic Buildings with a high Roman Catholic population surrounding it. Enrollment declined owing to the distance of the new neighborhood from the center, but the Jesuits persevered and by the end of the 19th century the school was once again flourishing. A theater was built in 1896 and a large new classroom building (previously the Main Building and now called Dooley Hall) was opened in 1912.

John Gabriel Smith, Gonzaga's first African-American graduate, entered the school in 1951. He wanted to prepare to be a priest and none of the schools for black children offered the necessary prerequisites, including Latin. When he decided to try out for the varsity football team, the school was unable to schedule games against public schools, which were still segregated at the time. He was ultimately prevented from playing by an injury. He graduated in 1954.[10]

The curriculum of Gonzaga from its founding until the late 20th century was at once rigorously classical and emphatically Catholic. Mastery of Latin and deep involvement in the Catholic religion were at its core. Standards were high, and many hopeful boys who lacked the necessary qualities for success were denied admittance. To this day, Gonzaga admits approximately one third of applicants.

Gonzaga benefited greatly from the fact that the row houses built in Swampoodle were largely occupied by Irish Catholics from the late 19th century on. Although Gonzaga always drew students from other parts of the city as well, the departure of the Swampoodle Irish for the suburbs in the mid-20th century, and more especially their replacement by poorer non-Catholics, brought on another period of difficulties. A decline in enrollment and the great inner-city riot of 1968 led some to suggest that Gonzaga should be closed, or moved to a more affluent area. However, the Jesuits once again persisted and the school survived. In the last years of the 20th century Gonzaga expanded, adding several new buildings and a large playing field and field house. By 2007 Gonzaga had regained its former status and a Wall Street Journal editorial referred to it as "the premier Catholic high school of Washington."[11]

St. Aloysius

See main article: St. Aloysius Church (Washington, D.C.). St. Aloysius is a parish church physically attached to Gonzaga through the entrance building Dooley Hall. The church was built in 1859. It is used for Masses, concerts, some school assemblies, and graduation. The large painting above the altar is the work of Constantino Brumidi, famous for painting the frescoes on the interior of the United States Capitol dome.

Athletics

Gonzaga's athletic teams are called the Eagles. Gonzaga fields seventeen different varsity teams,[12] most of which compete in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.

The Gonzaga soccer team won four consecutive WCAC championships from 2007 to 2010,[13] and is consistently one of the best teams in the Washington area.[14] They added additional championships in 2012, 2016, and 2017, beating national powerhouse DeMatha Catholic in each.[15]

Gonzaga rugby has won 12 consecutive Potomac Rugby Union Championships and finished the 2010 season ranked #2 in the nation. In the middle of the 2011 season, Gonzaga beat the #1 ranked team in the nation and rival, Xavier, and became the #1 team in the nation. During the 2011 National Championship in Salt Lake City, Utah, Gonzaga finished 3rd. The Eagles won the High School Rugby National Championship in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018.[16] In 2023, Eye St Rugby won their 5th National Championship,[17] and received the newly named Lee Kelly Memorial Cup, named in honor of long time Gonzaga coach Lee Kelly.

The Gonzaga crew team won the Stotesbury Cup Regatta on the Schuylkill River, Philadelphia in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Runner up years include: 2009, 2017, 2018, and 2023.[18]

Out of the past 17 seasons (2000-2016) Gonzaga Cross Country has finished in first, second, or third place in the WCAC Championship race every time. The team won the WCAC championship in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012. Additionally, in 2010 the Gonzaga Cross Country team won the "triple crown" with first-place finishes in the WCAC Championship, the MD/DC Private/Independent Schools Championship, and the Jesuit Championship. The Eagles XC squad has won the Jesuit Championships in 1987, 2002, 2009, 2010, and 2016. The team also added their first victory at the DC State Championships during the 2016 season. 2016 marked another milestone for Gonzaga Cross Country. The JV Boys team managed to complete the "triple crown", winning the JV WCAC Championship, the JV MD/DC Private/Independent Schools Championship, and the JV Jesuit Championship.[19] [20]

Varsity 2 hockey won their respective Mid Atlantic Prep Hockey League (MAPHL) “A” league in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Varsity 1 hockey won their “AA” division in 2017 and 2018. Gonzaga is the first school in MAPHL history to have a back-to-back sweep of both divisions in two consecutive years. In the 2018–2019 season, Varsity 1 defeated Spaulding 5–1 to win their third straight MAPHL AA championship, a huge accomplishment for a team with two freshman goalies that year.

Buchanan Field is the home field for football and lacrosse and also serves as the practice facility for rugby, soccer and track and field. The Carmody Center hosts basketball and select wrestling matches. Old Gym is the wrestling home match site. The Fort Dupont Ice Arena hosts ice hockey games. Gravelly Point is the home grounds for rugby matches and Long Bridge Park is the home facility for soccer games. The game and practice venue for baseball is located at the Washington Nationals Youth Academy.[21]

List of presidents

NameYears
Presidents of the Washington Seminary
11821–1824
21824–1825
31824–1848
41826–1827
51848–1851
61851–1854
71854–1857
81857–1858
Presidents of Gonzaga College
91858–1860
101860–1861
111861–1868
121868–1874
131874–1881
141881–1882
151882–1885
161885–1890
171890–1898
181898–1899
191899–1907
201907–1908
211908–1909
221909–1915
231915–1916
241916–1922
251922–1927[22]
261927–1932[23]
271932–1938[24]
281938–1944[25]
Presidents of Gonzaga College High School
291944–[26]
1965–1968[27]
341994–2010[28]
352010–2011[29]
362011–2021
372021–

Notable faculty

Notable alumni

Academia

Arts and entertainment

Athletes

Business

Journalism and publishing

Military

Politics and law

Science

Others

See also

References

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Find a School . Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools.
  2. Web site: President's Welcome. www.gonzaga.org. July 31, 2023.
  3. Web site: TCU Brand Central: University Color . TCU . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014172256/https://brand.tcu.edu/university-color/ . October 14, 2022 . live .
  4. Web site: MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools . June 23, 2009 . MSA-CSS . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090712083151/http://www.css-msa.org/search.php/ . July 12, 2009.
  5. Web site: Gonzaga College High School | Case Studies | Orr Group .
  6. Web site: Gonzaga College High School | Tuition And Financial Aid(2024) | Washington, DC. February 10, 2024 .
  7. Book: Sketch of Gonzaga College from its Foundation in 1821 till the Celebration of the Diamond Jubilee in 1896 . Gonzaga College . 1897.
  8. Book: Durkin, Joseph Thomas . William Matthews: Priest and Citizen . . 1963 . New York . 83–86 . 64001710 . 558792300 .
  9. Book: Buckley, Cornelius Michael . Stephen Larigaudelle Dubuisson, S.J. (1786–1864) and the Reform of the American Jesuits . University Press of America . 2013 . 9780761862321 . Lanham, Maryland . 101 . March 15, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180909210030/https://books.google.com/books?id=jRfdAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA101&lpg=PA101&dq=Gonzaga+College+High+School+william+matthews&source=bl&ots=HH2jH2sfOI&sig= . September 9, 2018 . live . .
  10. News: Farquhar . Michael . At Gonzaga High, Crossing the Great Divide . . 24 October 2019 . 7 June 1999.
  11. Web site: History of Gonzaga . April 15, 2007. July 26, 2017. bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20070415062321/http://www.gonzaga.org/html/history.html . April 15, 2007.
  12. Web site: Gonzaga Athletics . Gonzaga College High School . https://web.archive.org/web/20160614163102/http://www.gonzaga.org/page.aspx?pid=329 . June 14, 2016 . dead.
  13. News: SI's Top 25 High School Athletic programs - High School Sports . The Smoakhouse Forums. July 26, 2017 . en.
  14. News: Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. July 26, 2017 . en.
  15. News: Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. July 26, 2017 . en.
  16. News: Boys Nationals - Meaning and Opportunity . May 26, 2017 . Goff Rugby Report. July 26, 2017 . en.
  17. Web site: Goff . Alex . Keep Loose, Embrace the Target, Set Standards: Gonzaga's Run to #1 . Goff Rugby Report . June 2023 . Goff Rugby . 13 September 2023.
  18. News: Winners: Previous Years . February 19, 2015 . Stotesbury Cup Regatta. July 26, 2017 . en-US.
  19. Web site: Historical results and records - GCHS cross country . sites.google.com. July 26, 2017.
  20. News: WCAC XC Championships - Meet Results . MileStat.com. July 26, 2017 . en.
  21. Web site: Gonzaga Athletics: Game & Practice East Potomac Park is the home for the tennis team. Locations . gonzaganc.org . March 21, 2019.
  22. News: July 14, 1922 . Dr. Geale to Succeed Dr. Conniff at Gonzaga: Pastor of Holy Trinity, Georgetown, to Be Replaced by Dr. Smith, of Philadelphia. . 7 . The Washington Post.
  23. News: October 12, 1927 . New Chief Selected At Gonzaga College . 20 . The Washington Post.
  24. News: September 26, 1932 . New St. Aloysius' Pastor Appointed: Rev. Lawrence J. Kelly Succeeds Father Fitzpatrick in Post. . The Washington Post.
  25. News: August 1, 1938 . Father Wiesel Is Appointed to Head Gonzaga: Succeeds Rev. L.J. Kelly, Who Goes to Jesuit Seminary. . The Washington Post.
  26. October 1, 1944 . News from the Field . live . Jesuit Educational Quarterly . VII . 2 . 125–127 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191127152813/https://jesuitonlinelibrary.bc.edu/?a=d&d=jeq19441001-01.2.12&dliv=none&st=1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- . November 27, 2019 . November 27, 2019.
  27. Book: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Affairs . 1968 . Washington, D.C. . November 27, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191127160519/https://books.google.com/books?id=eLb4O3Z8OCkC&pg=PA439 . November 27, 2019 . live.
  28. News: January 19, 2019 . Father Novotny, Baltimore native, left mark on Jesuit education . . live . November 27, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191127053140/https://www.archbalt.org/father-novotny-baltimore-native-left-mark-on-jesuit-education/ . November 27, 2019.
  29. Spring 2011 . Rev. Stephen Planning, S.J., Named Thirty-Sixth President of Gonzaga . The Good News from Nineteen Eye Street . 2–3 . November 27, 2019 . issuu.
  30. News: Former Head of Loyola Dies. March 24, 1951. The Baltimore Sun. January 30, 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200130195517/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40505907/obituary_for_joseph_a_canning_aged_68/. January 30, 2020. 6.
  31. Web site: History of WJU - 1960's . Wheeling Jesuit University . 15 February 2020 . August 5, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190805045332/https://www.wju.edu/about/history/1960s.html . dead .
  32. News: Goundrey . Mary . Fitzgerald, 82, Dies Of Heart Failure . The Hoya . March 23, 2004.
  33. Web site: His teaching swelled the waters of learning. Colman McCarthy. 5 July 2016. The National Catholic Reporter Publishing Co. .
  34. News: Fr. O'Leary Takes Post as President of Georgetown U. . November 28, 1935 . The Catholic Transcript. October 7, 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190917163152/https://thecatholicnewsarchive.org/?a=d&d=CTR19351128-01.2.10. September 17, 2019 . 26 . XXXVIII . 1, 5 . Conspicuous among the special guests was the Rev. Laurence J. Kelly, S.J., president of Gonzaga College in Washington, which is Father O'Leary's alma mater..
  35. News: Brown . DeNeen . For Michael Bobbitt, all the world is a stage for children's theater . The Washington Post . April 29, 2011.
  36. News: Kelly . John . Gonzaga College High's 116-year-old theater gets a long-overdue renovation . The Washington Post . April 16, 2012.
  37. News: Washington's Owen Danoff performs on his biggest stage yet: 'The Voice' . The Washington Post . Andrea Sachs . April 20, 2016 . April 20, 2016 .
  38. News: Falconer . Daniel . Demetrius Grosse exclusive interview: talks Banshee, personal life & more . Female First . 15 April 2014.
  39. News: Emily Heil . Elizabeth Brotherton . Heard on the Hill: And It's Not Even Spring . Roll Call . September 12, 2008 . Hallisay graduated from Gonzaga College High School in 1996 and spent summers toiling on Capitol Hill..
  40. News: John Heard, actor who played an absent-minded father in 'Home Alone,' dies at 71 . The Washington Post . July 23, 2017.
  41. News: Riess . Mike . Johnson Bademosi thankful for opportunities football has given him . ESPN . December 9, 2017.
  42. News: Barr . Josh . Gonzaga All-Met guard Nate Britt to announce college choice Tuesday . The Washington Post . November 25, 2011.
  43. Web site: Mike Banner . MLSsoccer.com . Major League Soccer . 14 February 2020.
  44. News: Davis . Craig . Md. native Cloherty eyes title with Colts . The Baltimore Sun . February 5, 2020.
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  46. News: Kolenich . Eric . Benedictine names Churchwell its new basketball coach . Richmond Times-Dispatch . June 20, 2012.
  47. Web site: Smith . Cam . Olu Fashanu, 4-star OL, commits to Penn State . USA Today . June 3, 2019 . 5 November 2022.
  48. News: Parker . Brandon . NFL draft: Gonzaga alum A.J. Francis works to catch league's attention . The Washington Post . April 22, 2013.
  49. News: UVa Lacrosse: Family Affair for Gladings . Virginia Sports . April 18, 2014.
  50. News: Rohrbach . Ben . D.C. Boys Soccer POY: Ian Harkes . ESPN . February 22, 2012.
  51. News: Bracken . Matt . ADVERTISEMENT Big game forged Haynos' path to pros . The Baltimore Sun . February 20, 2008 . "Traditionally, Gonzaga had a strong record of producing Division I football players. The program has even sent a few to the NFL, most notably Roman Oben, a 12-year veteran and member of the 2002 Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, former Notre Dame standout and NFL wide receiver Malcolm Johnson and most recently, ex-Terps defensive back and current Houston Texans safety Curome Cox.".
  52. News: Greenya . John . Black Man on a White Field . The Washington Post Magazine . February 1, 2004.
  53. News: Martin . Kimberly A. . Redskins add depth to QB room, bring former Gonzaga star Kevin Hogan home . The Washington Post . April 6, 2018.
  54. News: Halley . Jim . Villlanova hero Kris Jenkins' high school coach has seen that shot before . USA Today . April 5, 2016.
  55. News: Ratcliffe . Jerry . UVA FOOTBALL: Johnson makes commitment . Charlottesville Daily Progress . July 12, 2007.
  56. News: Gearan . John W. . Calling Patriot Place . Holy Cross Magazine . 4 . Fall 2010. 44 .
  57. News: Wilbon . Michael . Oben's History Lesson . The Washington Post . January 23, 2003.
  58. News: McClain . Buzz . Auto king Paul Sheehy is bringing a professional rugby team to the region . Northern Virginia Magazine . August 23, 2019.
  59. News: Sell . Dave . Sluby Decides to Trade Basketball for Books . The Washington Post . October 1, 1985.
  60. News: Huff . Donald . John Thompson III: Son Breaks Through at Gonzaga . The Washington Post . March 10, 1983.
  61. Web site: Tyler Thornton - Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development - Staff Directory . Howard University Athletics . en.
  62. Web site: The Honorable Jack Farley to Serve as Keynote Speaker at 70th Annual Father-Son Communion Breakfast . Gonzaga College High School. April 2019.
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  65. News: Conroy . Pat . Indelible Memories Of Gonzaga . The Washington Post . December 26, 2002.
  66. News: Ferdin . Pamela . A Historian's Embellished Life . The Washington Post . June 23, 2001.
  67. News: Kurtz . Howard . Post Columnist Dies in Wreck Near Baghdad . The Washington Post . April 5, 2003.
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