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Four local high schools among 50 best in nation
archived from: 2006-10-05
by: John Franko

Four Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh were recognized recently as being among the 50 best Catholic secondary schools in America by their selection to the Catholic High School Honor Roll.

Honored were Quigley Catholic in Baden, Oakland Catholic in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, St. Joseph in Natrona Heights and Aquinas Academy in Hampton Township. Nearly 1,300 schools were invited to apply to the Honor Roll that measures academic excellence, Catholic identity and civic education.

“This honor is a confirmation of the quality academic program that students receive in an environment of faith,” said Father Kris Stubna, secretary for education.

“I want to commend all those who contribute on a daily basis to the excellence in Catholic education that is a hallmark of these schools.”

The honor roll is an independent project of the Acton Institute, an international research and educational organization. It is produced in consultation with a national advisory board comprised of Catholic college presidents and noted Catholic scholars.

Quigley Catholic was named to the honor roll for the third time.

Dr. Madonna Helbling, principal, said that while Quigley Catholic offers a strong academic program, it never loses sight of its Catholic identity and its commitment to service orientation.

“The students focus on the fact that they just can’t learn to be Christians, they have to live it,” she said.

Helbling noted that her students are active in Habitat for Humanity projects and the school supports a strong economics curriculum. She said students have excelled in speech and debate, and the school has received national recognition for its mock trial program.

Quigley Catholic experienced an increase in enrollment of some 20 percent this year.

Leslie Mitros, head of school at Aquinas Academy, said the real reward of teaching at the school is watching students and graduates continue to achieve academically as they live out their Catholic faith.

“Our students work, pray and play hard,” she said. “They recognize the benefits of a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, and learn to integrate faith and reason in all that they do,” she said.

Mitros pointed out that this was reflected in a recent e-mail from a graduate who is now a University of Notre Dame student studying in Rome.

In it, the student wrote: “You may tell whoever is interested that I am one of the best in my apologetics class here because I did ALL of it in high school.”

Beverly Kaniecki, principal of St. Joseph, said the recognition confirms the school’s goals — to teach its students the characteristics of sanctity, justice, honor and scholarship to prepare them for life.

“The bottom line is that it’s the excellent, dedicated faculty, very supportive parents and diligent, conscientious students working together who create this tight-knit community of learners we call St. Joseph High School,” she said. “They are the ones to be commended and congratulated.”

Kaniecki said the school offers a strong college preparatory curriculum with as many as 35 credits by the time a student graduates. She noted that it dominates in National History Day competitions and has been first in the nation in documentary.

In addition, Kaniecki said St. Joseph has a strong pro-life group and its Student Ministry Council is a unique integration of student council and campus ministry.

At Oakland Catholic, strong civics education, enhanced by argumentation and communication classes, complements a solid core curriculum.

“We achieve the balance of academic excellence, varied extracurricular activities, meaningful leadership opportunities, rigorous athletic competition and the opportunity to develop lasting friendships,” said Dr. Maureen Marsteller, principal.

“We are grateful to the Catholic High School Honor Roll for this acknowledgment.”

The school’s mission and philosophy is to educate young women holistically, in an atmosphere where Gospel truths are the foundation. Spirituality pervades all aspects of student life and is exemplified through the students’ active participation in service projects.

“Through the campus ministry program and retreats during the year, each student has the opportunity to recognize and realize her unique potential,” Marsteller said.

Bishop Paul Bradley, diocesan administrator, said the recognition reflects outstanding educational achievement in an environment of faith.

“I congratulate all who have contributed to this success, especially the administrators, faculty, staff, students and their parents,” he said. “We commend all of those whose efforts make these schools centers of excellence in Catholic education.”

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