Aquinas High School (California)

Aquinas High School
Address
2772 Sterling Avenue
San Bernardino, California, (San Bernardino County) 92404
Coordinates 34°8′32″N 117°14′39″W / 34.14222°N 117.24417°W / 34.14222; -117.24417Coordinates: 34°8′32″N 117°14′39″W / 34.14222°N 117.24417°W / 34.14222; -117.24417
Information
Type Private, Coeducational
Motto Lux et Veritas
(Light and Truth)
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established 1955
Superintendent Mrs. Patricia Vesley
CEEB code 052772
President Dr. Jim Brennan
Principal Mr. Chris Barrows
Grades 9-12
Enrollment 400-450 (average)
Student to teacher ratio 18:1
Campus Suburban/City
Campus size 28 acres (110,000 m2)
Color(s) Navy Blue, White and Grey             
Athletics conference Ambassador League
Sports Football, boys' and girls' cross country, cheer, girls' volleyball, boys' and girls' tennis, wrestling, boys' and girls' basketball, boys' and girls' soccer, swimming, golf, baseball, softball, boys' and girls' track
Mascot Falcon
Team name Falcons
Rival Notre Dame (Riverside)
Accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Western Catholic Education Association[1]
Average SAT scores Class of 2015 - 1810
Average ACT scores Class of 2015 - 28
Newspaper The Falconer
Yearbook The Summa
Tuition $6,950 (2015-2016)
Admissions Director Mr. Ron Simmons
Athletic Director Mr. Chris Ybarra
Average college acceptance rate ~100%
Website http://www.aquinashs.net

Aquinas High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in San Bernardino, California, United States. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino.

Background

Aquinas was established in 1955 as Aquinas Hall, an all-boys high school. Aquinas Hall and St. Bernadines High School (all-girls) merged in 1971 to form a coeducational high school, Aquinas High School.

In the 2005-2006 school year facility upgrades began. In the spring of 2006 the football field was refurbished, bringing in a new playing surface and lighting. A new fence, entry walls, student drop-off area, and landscaping were completed in 2006. This was followed by the construction of the Fr. Devine Tennis Center. This facility provided Aquinas with six lit courts for their league champion Lady Falcon tennis team. Other improvements include the remodeling of the Bill Lemman Baseball Complex, the Lady Falcon softball field, the renovation of the quad area, and remodels of most of the restrooms on campus.

The 2011-2012 school year saw the dedication of the Rezek Student Center and the Matich Science Center. Both facilities allow students the use of technology to enhance their educational experience.[2]

The 2012-2013 school marked a dramatic renovation to the gymnasium and surrounding areas. A landscaping wall was constructed around the north and east side of the gym allowing for a new landscaped entry way. This entry is accessed through the Jim Ragan Parent Patio. The patio serves as a new entrance to the athletic facilities as well as providing a sitting area for parents, students and visitors. Adjacent to the parent patio is a new outdoor basketball court that allows students to play before, during and after school. This court also serves as a practice court for the junior varsity teams. Inside the gym, new motorized bleachers were installed along with a new sound system and a 20 ft projection screen and projector.

The Summer of 2013 saw the completion of The San Manuel Track. A state of the art all-weather synthetic track surface located in Reisch Stadium.

In the fall of 2014, thanks to the generosity of the Knights of Columbus, Aquinas dedicated a completely remodeled St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel The new pews in the chapel now seat approximately 60 students. Also included in the remodel was an altar, flooring, lighting, stained glass, entry doors and extensive woodwork throughout. A new exterior facade was also constructed. That same year in December, Aquinas dedicated the Warden Barrows Prayer Garden. This prayer garden located on the north side of campus was donated by the family of Principal Chris Barrows in memory of his late father. The garden features a Stations of the Cross prayer walk.

In preparation for the school's 60th anniversary several new projects began to come fruition. In August 2015 The Scafiddi Family Amphitheater was completed and blessed by Bishop Barnes. The amphitheater seats over 450 students and can be used for a myriad of activities from mass and assemblies to classes and theater productions. The amphitheater proved to be immediately useful during the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year. At this time the gymnasium was undergoing a major renovation causing the school to lose the only place on campus where the entire student body could gather. Thanks to the generosity of the Scafiddi Family the amphitheater provided a new gathering place for the Falcon community. The first phase of the gymnasium renovation was completed in mid-October. This first phase consisted of entirely new locker rooms, football and coaches offices, gym floor, additional bleachers, lighting, air conditioning and interior and exterior doors. During the 2015 Homecoming game the gymnasium was officially renamed The Gogo-Aquinas Gymnasium in honor of the generosity of the Gogo family.

Also new for the 2015-2016 school year was an additional state-of the-art science lab constructed within The Matich Science Center.

Academics

Aquinas offers 17 AP courses and 8 honors courses. Aquinas consistently graduates nearly 100% of its students with nearly all 100% of these students being accepted to some of the best colleges and universities across the country. Aquinas also currently offers 4 pre-professional programs, The Aquinas Healthcare Academy, The Aquinas Law Academy, The Aquinas Engineering Academy, and The Aquinas Performing Arts Academy. These programs offer students a four-year course of study which includes certain academic courses and internships at St. Bernadine Hospital, various law and engineering offices located throughout downtown San Bernardino.

In the fall of 2015 Aquinas was recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for its comprehensive use of iPad and technology in the classroom and within the curriculum.

Athletics

Since the inception of the Falcon sports program Aquinas has maintained a consistent level of success, in particular in boys' basketball, football, boys' soccer, and baseball teams. Aquinas athletic teams have won over 100 league championships, 5 CIF championships, and 2 state championships.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ WASC-ACS. "WASC-Accrediting Commission for Schools". Retrieved 2009-06-05.
  2. ↑ AHS. "School History". Retrieved 2007-05-11.
  3. ↑ DeArmond, Michelle, Kimberly Trone and Jose Arballo Jr.Timeline of Pachecos political and legal career, The Press Enterprise, January 5, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  4. ↑ Springer, Steve (June 9, 1989). "TAKING A FLING : Former CS Northridge Quarterback Chris Parker Earns a Shot With the Rams After Stops in Two Foreign Leagues". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
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