Catholic Memorial High School (Waukesha, Wisconsin)
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| Motto | Caritas in Omnibus |
|---|---|
| Established | 1949 |
| Type | Private High School |
| President | Fr. Paul Hartmann, '84[1] |
| Principal | Dr. Mark Schmitt |
| Students | 739 (2006-2007) |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Location | Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA |
| Colors | royal blue and gold |
| Mascot | Crusader |
| Yearbook | 'The Knight' |
| Website | Website |
Catholic Memorial High School is a coeducational Catholic high school in Waukesha, Wisconsin established in 1949 and a member of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) as well as the National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC).
Catholic Memorial commonly has graduates attend the most prestigious universities in the United States. In addition nearly 100% of graduates attend Universities on a yearly basis. CMH is also nationally known for the school's success in academic decathlons (winning the 2001 National Championship in Division II) and girl's soccer (ranked number one in the nation by NSCAA/adidas® in 2000).
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[edit] History
Catholic Memorial High School was founded out of the dream of visionaries in the Waukesha County area. In the early 1920s, St. Joseph's Parish raised funds of $10,000 for a future high school. Their goal of providing a high quality Catholic education for the area's youth remained strong and unwavering--not even the great Depression could shake their determination.
This fervent hope became reality in 1949 when CMH opened its doors as a parochial school for St. Joseph Parish in Waukesha. Ninety-seven freshmen started attending classes in September of that year. The school was named in gratitude as a memorial to the 23 young men of St. Joseph's who gave their lives for their country in WWII. Later, the dedication of the school was extended to include all graduates of Catholic Memorial who have died in service to their country. When the doors of the school opened, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity of Manitowoc were here and opened their hearts to the community. For more than 50 years, CMH relied on their constant service, tremendous presence, and considerable care. The Sisters left CMH in June of 2002.
The growth and vitality of CMH soon resulted in the school's serving as the first home of a new parish in Waukesha, St. Mary's. The parish even held its first Masses at CMH. During the first ten years of its existence, enrollment at CMH grew to more than 500 (the stated capacity of the original building). In 1959, it became an Archdiocesan Catholic high school for the parishes of Waukesha County. An addition was completed for use beginning in September 1961 which included more classrooms, a cafeteria, and the first gym. Six years later, the chapel, library, and theater were added. These two projects spoke to all the needs of the developing student: spiritual, academic, physical, and social. Phase I of another addition was completed in 1991. This new wing at the southwest corner of the building houses science, art, math, and foreign language facilities. In 1993, a gift from a will make by Stephen Weber more than 40 years earlier was given to the school. [This gift remains the school's largest donation. Subsequently, the original 1961 gym was named to honor Stephen's mother, Julia Weber.] Phase II was started in 1997 and completed in 1998. This included the new InPro Athletic Center, named after the company of a generous donor. This phase also included needed repairs on the original building, two computer labs, and a renovated theater. During this effort, the theater's stage was named "The Grasch Family Stage," in gratitude for a generous gift.
Throughout its history, the school's mission of educating the whole person has remained constant and unshakable. CMH provides young people with an academically strong education, a firm Catholic foundation, and an awareness of their own self-worth and that of others.
[edit] International Baccalaureate Program
CMH has also achieved academic success with its International Baccalaureate (or IB) program, which is only offered to juniors and seniors. This program is the most widely recognized pre-university educational program in the world and is looked highly upon by universities for its rigor. The program was introduced in 2005. In 2007, 29 seniors received the International Baccalaureate Diploma. In addition, many other students received International Baccalaureate certificates. The IB program helps develop critical thinking, time management, organizational skills, writing skills, interdisciplinary study, and speaking skills. In addition, all UW-system schools-and most other schools-accept IB scores for credit. Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays may be used for college applications and scholarship applications, and the service component of the program deepens the extracurricular experience of each student.
The International Baccalaureate program is designed to serve the learning needs of all students. IB promotes classes that are inclusive and receptive to many different learning styles. The requirements for success are rigorous yet achievable. Of course by "achievable" we mean don't even try unless you plan to live in a cave of studying for two years. Only the best survive.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma program is a credential that students earn after successfully completing assessments in six curricular areas, writing an extended essay, completing the Theory of Knowledge assessments, and many other impossible tasks. These tasks include capturing a Chutland Unicorn, slaying a wild Hungarian Horntail with a spoon, and finding the Holy Grail. Students who achieve at least 24 total points out of the 45 available points in assessment will be awarded an IB Diploma. This means that students who achieve 23 points or fewer do not receive the diploma, and have basically wasted the last 2 years of their lives. These failures are then forced into hand to hand combat with a wild Hippopotomus in the Catholic Memorial swimming pool on the fourth floor. There is a 17% survival rate for students in this death match. To ensure there are always Hippopotomi available, the administration has made a trade agreement with the government of Djibouti, allowing for their surplus of Hippopotomi to be shipped to Catholic Memorial.
The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) component is an interdisciplinary requirement intended to stimulate critical reflection on knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom. TOK is taken by seniors.
Tɨhe IB program helps develop critical thinking, time management, organizational skills, writing skills, interdisciplinary study, and speaking skills. In addition, all UW-system schools-and most other schools-accept IB scores for credit. Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays may be used for college applications and scholarship applications, and the service component of the program deepens the extracurricular experience of each student.
Catholic Memorial has made great efforts to make the IB Diploma available to all students and picks up the student's expenses for pursuing an IB Diploma (approximately $700) with funds from corporations and foundations interested in supporting the highest level of academic achievement.
The Class of 2007 had great success in the IB program. Many say that it was a great experience and prepared them well for college.
[edit] Athletics
The name "Crusaders" was first used for Catholic Memorial students by a former sports editor of The Waukesha Freeman. The definition, "those who fight for a just cause," fits with the school's dedication as a living memorial. The name continues to be used for Catholic Memorial's teams. The title of the yearbook, The Knight, is related to the Crusader name.
Catholic Memorial is a member of the Classic 8 Conference.
Catholic Memorial offers baseball, basketball, cross country, downhill ski racing, fencing, football, golf, hockey, rugby (girls and boys),soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, and poms.
In June of 2007, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel rated Catholic Memorial's athletic program as being the second best in the Milwaukee area.[citation needed]
In 2000 Girls' Varsity Soccer won the National Championship and Coach John Burke was named National Girls' High School Coach of the Year. Star Player Leslie Osborne (Class of '01) went on to play for the USA Women's World Cup team.
Matt Katula, also a 2000 alumnus, is a NFL player with the Baltimore Ravens.
Jennifer Bennett (Class of '89) was one of the head referees for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.
In 1988, Jerry Schumacher (Class of '88) went on to continue his success in cross country and track at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Now, he is currently coaching the Badgers through what is perhaps the most dominant era by one school in Big Ten cross country history. As a badger, he was a three-time All-American and three-time All-Big Ten selection in cross country and track at Wisconsin from 1988-1993 and helped the Badgers to three consecutive Big Ten Championships in cross country and three top-10 NCAA finishes. UW finished second, third and ninth while Schumacher was a member of the team. At the NCAA Championships in 2005, Schumacher led the Badgers to the 2005 NCAA cross country title.
Coach William "CY" Young, the school's Varsity Football Coach, has won the most games of any coach in the Classic 8 Conference.[2]
[edit] Extra-Curriculars
The school also offers many extra-curriculars. They include: Pro-Life Club, Darfur Relief Project, Drama, Forensics, Math League, Science Bowl, National Honor Society, Peer Mentors, Latin Club, Rosary Club, Rugby (boys and girls), Student Council, Service Club, Student Ambassadors, Operation Michael (Homelessness Awareness), S.E.A.S., Newspaper, and Ultimate Frisbee.
[edit] Notable Alumni
Very Rev. Paul Hartmann,'84: President of Catholic Memorial High School (2008-present); Judicial Vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee[3]
Michael E. Hartmann, '86: Director of Research and Evaluation of The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation in Milwaukee; author of The Philanthropy Roundtable's best selling book Helping People to Help Themselves: A Guide for Donors; frequent guest star on Fox's hit action drama, 24, as Kiefer Sutherland's stunt double for his character, Jack Bauer; #1
Brad Beyer, '92: Actor
[edit] References
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