SCHOOL NEWS ARTICLE - December 2003
by Gina Rushing, President, St. Anthony College Preparatory High School
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARS RECRUITED
THROUGH NEW PROGRAM AT ST. ANTHONY
COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL
Students in the top 10% of their 8th grade class can qualify for a new scholarship program being offered by St. Anthony College Preparatory High School which supports academic excellence.
Students entering the high school next Fall who meet the requirements will receive tuition support though a new scholarship program made possible by grants received from the Bill Hannon Foundation and the Rudolph J. and Daphne A. Munzer Foundation. This program enables the high school, founded in 1920 by St. Anthony Parish, to reach out to top area students and continue providing a strong, college prep, Catholic high school education to students, grades 9 through 12, in the Long Beach area.
The “Monsignor Gualderon Academic Excellence Scholarship Program” is named in memory of Monsignor Ernest Gualderon, long-time Pastor at St. Anthony Parish and Schools, who died in October, 2003. Monsignor Gualderon was a strong supporter and advocate for both of St. Anthony Catholic Schools -- the elementary school, located at 5th and Alamitos, serving students from Kindergarten through 8th grade, and the high school, with a campus headquartered at 7th and Olive Avenue in downtown Long Beach.
With the appointment of new Principal Roberta Swann-Ruiz in July, 2004, as the new academic leader of the high school, St. Anthony is once again moving forward to re-establish itself as a leader in Catholic education in the Long Beach community. The high school provides a classic, co-educational high school experience for its students which focuses on academic excellence, Christian service, and development of the whole person.
With 95% of St. Anthony’s graduates going on to college, our goal is to ensure that students are prepared to succeed at the college of their choice. The curriculum includes AP and Honors Courses, as well as general, college prep curriculum.
St. Anthony’s campus provides a safe, nurturing environment that enables the formation of a close “Community of Saints” where every child is known and individual contribution is supported and encouraged. Class sizes are small, with a 15-1 student/teacher ratio, and there are many opportunities to excel and form life-long friendships. Campus ministry, community outreach, and leadership development are integrated into the curriculum, and the high school offers a full range of sports and extra-curricular activities to its students.
The campus spans several blocks, with classrooms, administrative offices and cafeteria/theater located between 6th and 7th Streets on Olive Avenue, and an outstanding gymnasium facility which is continually featured in films and television. The athletic field is located at Clark and Del Amo, with transportation service provided on the St. Anthony College Preparatory High School Bus.
The high school is accepting applications for the second semester of the 2004-2005 school year, as well as for Fall 2005. For more information about St. Anthony College Preparatory High School, and to learn more about how you can qualify for the Monsignor Gualderon Academic Excellence Scholarship Program, please contact the Registrar at 562-435-4496.