Woodside Priory School
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Woodside Priory School, commonly known as the Priory, is an independent, coeducational, Roman Catholic, college preparatory, day and boarding school in the Benedictine tradition located in Portola Valley, California in the United States. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco. Its current head of school is Tim Molak. Al Zappelli is the director of admissions. Brian Schlaak is the Dean of Academics, Scott Parker is the Dean of Students, and Kathy Hume is the Dean of the Middle School.
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[edit] History
The Priory was founded in 1957 by a group of seven Hungarian Benedictine Monks from Saint Martin's Archabbey in Pannonhalma, Hungary. The early history of the Priory's founding has been outlined in the book, "Beginnings" written by Father Egon Javor, OSB. In 1974, the monks affiliated with Saint Anselm College and Abbey in Manchester, New Hampshire. The school began on an 18 acre ranch and over the years has expanded significantly to the point where the campus now encompasses some 50 acres. Originally the school was comprised entirely of all-male boarders, but over the years the ratio of boarders to day students changed to the point where today the boarding school accounts for a smaller percentage of the high school student body. In the early 1990s, the school began admitting females to the day program, with the first coed senior class graduating in 1995. The Priory's boarding program was expanded to include girls in 2003.
In 2005, the Priory announced plans for a major construction project on campus, in order to commemorate the school's 50th anniversary. The plans include a new library, performing arts center, and a new student center. Construction on the new Performing Arts Center began in the summer of 2006. The new Performing Arts Center was dedicated on Founders Day, November 11, 2007.
The school has had connections to numerous local celebrities in the Bay Area over the years, including singer Bing Crosby, recent Priory graduate and Grammy nominated jazz pianist, Taylor Eigsti, and former professional football player Steve Young.
[edit] Academics, Athletics, and the Arts
Currently the enrollment of the Priory is 350 students spanning grades 6-12. The major population of the student body is from the Bay Area; however, international students hail from 16 countries as far as South Korea, China, Taiwan, India, Hungary, Germany, Puerto Rico and Australia.
The Priory fields competitive teams in track and field, basketball, soccer, volleyball, cross country, swimming, golf, baseball and tennis. In 2000, the girls' volleyball won the state championship for Division V, and finished second the following year. The school competes in Central Coast Section (CCS) post-season competition.
The Priory has supported a number of club and groups over the years, including the Associated Student Body, of which senior Max Magnuson is currently president. The school's newspaper, originally begun in 1960, is still published today as the Last Minute Press. For a brief period in 2001, an alternate humor newspaper, entitled Lord Pantherton's News Soup, was published. Other clubs include a robotics team, Model United Nations, Literary Magazine, among others.
In the area of Performing Arts, the Priory has an active drama and theater group, an orchestra and choir.
[edit] Recent News
The 2007-2008 marks the Priory's 50th year as a school, and a variety of events are being held to celebrate this golden jubilee. The first event of the year will be a Blessing of the new Performing Arts Center on September 18th. The following Sunday, September 23rd, the Priory community of students, faculty, parents and alumni will celebrate with the annual Family Picnic. Tours of the new PAC, Student Center and Library will be available. A formal opening of the PAC will be held on Sunday, October 14th with a performance by Priory alumnus, Taylor Eigsti. On Founders Day, Sunday November 11th, the plaza in front of the PAC will be dedicated in honor of Father Egon, OSB, the founder and the first Benedictine Prior for Woodside Priory. For on-going events during the Golden Jubilee Year, contact the Events Office at 650-851-8221.
The Assistant Head of School and Dean of Students John Erkman died on April 2, 2007, at the age of 59.
