Archbishop Stepinac High School is an American all-boys' Roman Catholic high school in White Plains, New York.
It was operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York until the 2009–2010 school year, when it became independent of the archdiocese.
It was founded in 1948 and named after Aloysius Stepinac, who was the Archbishop of Zagreb in Croatia (which was then part of Yugoslavia).
In 1952, Stepinac was appointed a cardinal by Pope Pius XII. Stepinac was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1998.
History The school opened in 1948 with a capacity of 1,360 students. It began with freshman and sophomore years and reached its full complement in 1950.
The school was established after fundraising by the Catholic parishes of Westchester County, under the leadership of Francis Cardinal Spellman, the Archbishop of New York, and the archdiocese's educational officials.
The initial purpose of the school was to establish a full educational program with a diversity of subject choices, leading to a well-rounded student. In addition to the college preparatory program, it offered a general course for boys who wanted to finish their education with high school and enter a trade.
Boys were taught by an all-male faculty, almost entirely religious in makeup. In its earliest years, the administration of the school was mostly in the hands of priests of the Illinois-based Viatorian order, aided by some New York archdiocesan priests assisted by religious brothers and an occasional layman. All were under the supervision of the principal, Msgr. Joseph Krug.
Fr. John O'Keefe, the school's president from 1992 to 2004, was permanently removed from ministry in 2016 because of allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. O'Keefe's suspension was announced in a December 16, 2015, letter to parishioners from New York's archbishop, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who called the allegation "credible".
Demographics Race The high school is 8.5% Asian, 12.5% Black, 14% Hispanic, 60% White and 5% other.
Program
The school's administration and faculty is a mix of priests and lay men and women.
The school draws its students predominantly from Westchester County and has evolved into a college-preparatory school.
The school offers a college-preparatory program, an honors program offering 22 AP classes, and starting in the 2016–2017 school year, an honors academy designed to give students a head start in their respective field.
The school uses a library of digital textbooks that can be accessed by students on a variety of devices and is vastly less expensive than buying individual textbooks.
Athletics Football
In 2017, Stepinac was voted as one of the top-15 most-dominant New York high school football programs since 2006. The Crusaders were the New York State Catholic Champions in 2015, 2017 and 2018. In 2017, the school finished ranked number five in the tri-state area, number one in New York State and number 160 in the nation by MaxPreps.
2015 On November 28, 2015, defeated Saint Francis High School of Buffalo 42–28 at Grand Island High School to win their first state championship. The victory marked the end of a 12-game undefeated season.
2017
Stepinac won the 2017 Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) New York State Football Championship.
2018
Stepinac won the 2018 Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) New York State Football Championship for the second consecutive year by defeating St. Francis of Buffalo.
Basketball
Stepinac's basketball team won a state championship in 2018. Stepinac's basketball team won the New York Archdiocese Championship in 2020.
Lacrosse
Won the CHSAA AA State Championship in 2024.
Drama Club The school's auditorium is named after Edward Bowes, the host of the Major Bowes Amateur Hour. The theatre hosts programs including the Annual Alumni Theatre, Annual Talent Show, the Fall Dramas, and the Spring Musicals.
Notable alumni
Archbishop Stepinac High School alumni include: Lou Albanoformer professional wrestler and manager Alan Aldaactor Billy Collins poet; former U.S. Poet Laureate Marty Conlonformer NBA center Ajani Corneliuscollege football player for the Oregon Ducks, formerly for the Rhode Island Rams Ted DaryllsongwriterNorman Druker and Mick Patrick, "Chip Taylor Interviewed", Spectropop. Retrieved 31 July 2021 R. J. Davis (class of 2020)basketball player Owen FlanaganJames B. Duke Professor of Philosophy, Duke University Boogie Fland (class of 2024)college basketball player for the Florida Gators Joe Garagiola Jr.general manager, Arizona DiamondbacksInterview with Garagiola, mlb.com; accessed September 13, 2015. AJ Griffin (class of 2021)basketball player Alan Griffinbasketball player Gavin HeslopNFL player Bob Hyland (class of 1963)former NFL guard Malcolm KoonceNFL player, Las Vegas Raiders Ray Montgomerybaseball player; executive coach, California Angels Eric Ogboguformer NFL linebacker Erik Palladinoactor Joel Sorianoprofessional basketball player Nicholas SpringerWheelchair Rugby player - Paralympic Champion & 2 time World Champion "did not graduate" Nicholas TartaglionePrisoner, cell mate of Jeffery Epstein Brian Sweeney (class of 1992)baseball player; coach, Cleveland Indians(Note: May need to click "View More Bio Info+" to see some information.) Chip Taylorsongwriter Jordan Tucker (transferred)basketball player Barry Voightgeologist Jon Voightactor Chris Watson (born 1975)basketball player Trill WilliamsNFL player, Miami Dolphins Kevin Zralywine educator
References
External links
, the school's official website Stepinac Baseball Website Stepinac Basketball Website Stepinac Football Website Stepinac Hockey Website Stepinac Lacrosse Website