SALESIANUM SCHOOL Wilmington, Delaware PRESIDENT Start Date
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SALESIANUM SCHOOL Wilmington, Delaware PRESIDENT Start Date: July 1, 2021 salesianum.org Mission Salesianum School educates and develops the whole person based on the teaching of Saint Francis de Sales, whose spirituality can be summarized in “Live Jesus.” As an independent Catholic secondary school founded by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales in 1903, Salesianum challenges young men through dynamic college preparatory and extracurricular programs to live as Salesian Gentlemen devoted to faith, community, and service. OVERVIEW Since 1903, Salesianum School has been educating young men in the example of Saint Francis de Sales whose mission is to simply “Live Jesus.” This Roman Catholic, independent high school empowers its students to live this mission with patience, gentleness, and humility in all that they do—whether in the classroom, playing a sport, participating in the performing or fine arts, or engaging in extracurricular clubs or activities. A Salesianum education is based on the belief that every person matters, that every present moment is an opportunity for growth, and that each of us is blessed with gifts given to make a difference. Daily interactions between students form a welcoming environment—a brotherhood that begins in high school and continues well beyond. As a school that practices educating the whole person, Salesianum develops students intellectually, physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually in a school culture defined by the Salesian tradition. They grow to embrace the Gospel challenge to serve a world in need by cultivating and generously sharing their gifts and talents as Salesian gentlemen committed to others. After ten years of exceptional leadership, current President Brendan Kennealey ‘94 announced his intentions to pursue other opportunities and will be departing the campus in June 2021. Brendan is the first lay leader in the school’s history. Brendan and his team have done an extraordinary job building on the powerful Salesian mission and values and creating a nationally recognized Catholic school for boys. The school is now positioned for a new period of growth and renewal and seeks a faith-filled, visionary leader who will work with the Principal and leadership team in taking this fine school to the next level. CARNEYSANDOE.COM 2 Fast Facts Founded: 1903 Total students: 930 Non-Catholic students: 21% Total faculty: 65 Faculty with advanced degrees: 72% Student/teacher ratio: 13:1 Financial aid budget: $2.2M Students receiving financial aid: 36% SCHOOL HISTORY In January 1903, three French-speaking Oblate priests established The French School as a secondary school for boys to minister to Wilmington’s growing immigrant and industrial base. By the fall of 1903, the school’s early name had already been dropped in favor of Salesianum—the House of Sales. By 1907, four graduates became the first Salesian Gentlemen, forging a pathway that subsequently has been followed by more than 17,000 alumni, who live in all 50 states, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. While so much has changed throughout its more than 115-year history, Salesianum is always at its best when it reflects the virtues those first three Oblates rooted at the school’s founding. Always willing to take risks, legendary Oblate priests who succeeded them have ensured Salesianum best serves its students and its city. Whether being the first school in Delaware to racially integrate in 1950, moving to the current property in 1957, or welcoming waves of Cuban immigrants in the early 1960s, Salesianum has a rich history of demonstrating what it means to Live Jesus. While the school has grown and evolved to ensure that today’s Salesian Gentlemen are well-prepared for an increasingly complex world, the halls of Salesianum remain fueled by a spirit of brotherhood and focused on the gift of learning together in the present moment. Most importantly, Salesianum remains a reflection of the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, “The Gentleman Saint,” whose spirit of optimism, hope, and confidence in God’s love prompts students to please God by doing everything— big or small—enthusiastically and well. CARNEYSANDOE.COM 3 THE SCHOOL Salesianum School is run independently within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington and is operated by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Students represent four states—Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania—and come from a vibrant mix of different economic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. The school actively supports diversity and inclusion as essential to its mission of social justice. Salesianum’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is an essential component of its Catholic and Salesian identity and is inextricably linked to its mission of social justice. While proud of its history being the first school in Delaware to integrate in 1950, the school also recognizes that coming together was only a beginning. Exposing students, faculty, and staff to a wide range of ideas, experiences, and cultures; examining preconceptions; and exploring different ways of thinking enrich the learning experience and reflect the school’s mission to Live Jesus. Preparing graduates for lives of faith and service in a diverse world is at the heart of the school’s educational mission to form students as Salesian Gentlemen. ACADEMICS The Salesianum approach to academics is centered on the six pillars of Salesian Spirituality: Optimism, Liberty of Spirit, Gentle Strength, Little Virtues, Spiritual Friendship, and a Universal Call to Holiness. As its mission statement clearly states, the spiritual health of the community is vital to students’ educational success. The school believes that students reach their potential when high school is not reduced to a checklist of requirements; but rather, when a focus is placed on community, relationships, and a sense of belonging. CARNEYSANDOE.COM 4 College Acceptances The following is a partial list of college acceptances from the Classes of 2016 through 2020: Brown University Boston College Carnegie Mellon Columbia University Cornell University Davidson College De Sales University Duke University Emory University Georgia Tech Georgetown University George Washington University Hampton University Haverford College Howard University The school offers a challenging college preparatory Lehigh University curriculum, including many Advanced Placement options. Michigan State University All students take classes in English, math, science, social Morehouse College studies, world languages (French, Spanish, Mandarin, New York University Latin, and American Sign Language), religious studies, Northeastern University physical education, and arts and innovation. Northwestern University Oberlin College Importantly, Salesianum recognizes that not all students Rice University learn in the same way. In 2009, Salesianum established the Gardner Center (aka the Brisson Center) to assist Stanford University students with learning differences so that they too can Tufts University achieve their full academic potential. United States Air Force Academy United States Military Academy Religious education classes focus on forming young men United States Naval Academy into Salesian Gentlemen who embody and embrace the University of California Los Angeles Salesian values of compassion, humility, service, and University of Chicago brotherhood, and who lead their lives committed to others. University of Notre Dame Formalized instruction in religious studies includes courses University of Pennsylvania in religious philosophy and sacred scripture, as well as courses aimed at the application of faith to everyday life, University of Southern California such as morality, Christian lifestyles and death/dying. University of Virginia Vassar College A unique aspect of the curriculum is the Arts and Innovation Villanova University program, a dynamic, diverse, and evolving program Wake Forest University of studies that embraces the importance of traditional Washington University in St. Louis music and arts, while also offering the latest education Yale University in business, product development, performance, design, CARNEYSANDOE.COM 5 production, computer sciences, and media communications. Courses cover topics including audio production, entrepreneurship, technical theater, music history, improv comedy, and more. Salesianum’s college preparatory education and rigorous academic experience allows students to maximize their four-year college options upon graduation. THE ARTS The school is home to award-winning music and fine arts programs that continue to enlighten young minds and theater productions that inspire souls. Salesianum School Theater has gained a reputation for excellence in the performing arts with audiences enjoying at least three mainstage productions each year. Productions, which include students from sister schools, Padua and Ursuline Academies, range from classical to cutting edge, ancient to avant-garde. Performance seasons take a cross-curricular approach and directly related to, and reflect, the school’s annual theme. Salesianum has had a music program since the opening of the school in 1903, and a marching band since the 1940’s, making one of the longest-running programs in the State of Delaware. The marching band plays an important role in Salesianum’s legendary school spirit and is comprised of Salesianum students along with students from Padua and Ursuline Academies. The band is active during the football season and develops a spectacular new field show each year. Additionally, the band