Serra Catholic High School

Serra Catholic High School is a private, college preparatory, Roman Catholic high school in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Serra Catholic High School
Address
200 Hershey Drive

McKeesport
,
(Allegheny County)
,
Pennsylvania
15132

United States
Coordinates40°19′32″N 79°49′27″W
Information
TypePrivate, Coeducational
MottoAmor a Dios
(Love of God)
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic;
Franciscan
Established1961
CEEB code392495
PrincipalTimothy J. Chirdon
Grades9–12
Enrollment335[1] (2013)
Color(s)Maroon and Gold         
MascotEagle
Team nameEagles
AccreditationMiddle States Association of Colleges and Schools[2]
Tuition$8,200 (2013-2014)[3]
Admissions DirectorLori Lyons
Athletic DirectorWilliam Cleary
Websitewww.serrahs.org

History

Serra Catholic was established in September 1961 as an all-boys school by the Order of Friars Minor of the Province of the Immaculate Conception in New York City. The Order of Friars Minor of the Province of the Immaculate Conception led the school from 1961 until 1995, when the Franciscans Third Order Regular assumed the leadership role. The Third Order of Saint Francis led the school until 2004.

The school moved into its current building in 1963 and is named after St. Junípero Serra. The school was originally all-boys, becoming coeducational in 1972, when Serra Catholic High School merged with Mon Yough Catholic High School. [4]

Academics

Serra Catholic offers a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum for all students. All courses are assigned a level, which determines how the grade is included in the student’s GPA, QPA, or both. The levels include Level 1 (academic course with support), Level 3 (academic course), Level 5 (honors level course), Level 7 (college credit course), and Level 8 (non-academic course). [5]

The students at Serra Catholic participate in a variety of testing programs throughout their high school career. Incoming ninth grade students take the STS High School Placement Test, which helps determine the best courses to fit their academic needs. Students in both ninth and tenth grades take the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills during the school year. Students in tenth and eleventh grades prepare for the SAT exams by taking the Practice Scholastic Aptitude Test. By twelfth grade, 100% of students take the SAT exam and 15% of students take the ACT exam.[6]

Serra Catholic is accredited through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.[7] In addition, in September 2012, the school became a recipient of the Catholic High School Honor Roll, by the Cardinal Newman Society.[8] As such, Serra is listed as one of the Top 50 Catholic High Schools in the United States.[9]

College in High School (CHS) Program

Serra Catholic offers a wide variety of college-level courses for students through four local colleges and universities. A total of 70 College In High School Credits are available.[10] Many students are able to earn 24 college credits or more prior to graduation. Some students enter college with advanced standing as sophomores, based upon the college courses successfully completed at Serra. In addition to the college and university courses offered, two partnering schools, Seton Hill University and Saint Vincent College, have written agreements with Serra Catholic to guarantee that Serra Catholic students will be accepted into their colleges, if various academic criteria is met.[11]

Activities

Activities and clubs are offered for Serra Catholic students. Most activities and clubs meet one time per month during the school day, but some programs conduct meetings and participate in activities outside of school.

In addition to activities and clubs, Serra Catholic also hosts annual events. These include a Walk-a-Thon to support local organizations, a powderpuff football game, formal and informal dances, the March for Life in Washington, D.C., a talent show, a spring musical, and a summer trip to assist the needy in the Appalachian Mountains.[12]

Athletics

Serra Catholic offers a variety of all-boys, all-girls, and co-ed sports, most of which compete in the Class AA WPIAL bracket. (Boys Basketball is a WPIAL AA team and Hockey is part of the WPIHL.)

Fall Sports
  • Soccer (Boys & Girls)
  • Football (Boys)
  • Volleyball (Girls)
  • Golf (Co-Ed)
  • Cheerleading (Girls)
  • Cross Country (Co-Ed)

Winter Sports
  • Hockey (Boys)
  • Bowling (Co-Ed)
  • Swimming (Boys & Girls)
  • Basketball (Boys & Girls)

Spring Sports
  • Baseball (Boys)
  • Softball (Girls)
  • Track & Field (Boys & Girls)

Serra Catholic’s sports teams have won many championships over the past several years, including PIAA State Championships, WPIAL Championships, and Section Championships.

Technology

During the 2012-2013 academic year, Serra Catholic instituted a 1:1 Google Chromebook program for all students. In addition, the school has implemented Google Apps for Education, enabling students, faculty, and staff to utilize Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, and Google Sites.

All Serra Catholic teachers are provided with a laptop that they can use during their classes and at home. Around 70% of the school’s classrooms are also equipped with interactive whiteboards, which the teachers use throughout their classes.

Alma mater

The youth of Serra proudly fly

From out this hallowed eagles’ nest.
Their colors wave forever high,
For God and country ever blest.
Amor a Dios ever be,
The star that guides their destiny,
All hail to Alma Mater, aye!
May she stand with all that's best.

Notes and references
  1. "School Profile". Serra Catholic High School. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  2. MSA-CSS. "MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools". Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  3. "Current Tuition and Financial Aid". Serra Catholic High School. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  4. "History". Serra Catholic High School. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  5. "School Profile". Serra Catholic High School. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  6. "School Profile". Serra Catholic High School. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  7. "Accreditation". Serra Catholic High School. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  8. "2012 Catholic High School Honor Roll". Cardinal Newman Society. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  9. "Serra Catholic Honor Roll Press Release". Serra Catholic High School. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  10. "College in High School Opportunities". Serra Catholic High School. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  11. "2012-2013 CHS Program". Serra Catholic High School. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  12. "Activities/Clubs". Serra Catholic High School. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
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