Xavier High School is an American independent university-preparatory high school for boys run by the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus, in the Chelsea neighborhood of the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York.
Named for St. Francis Xavier (1506–1552), it was founded by John Larkin in 1847 as the College of St. Francis Xavier and also known as St. Francis Xavier College.
History The school was founded in 1847 by John Larkin, a professor at St. John's College in Rosehill Manor, then in Westchester County, now a part of the Borough of the Bronx, and which later became Fordham University. It taught boys from the age of eight to twenty-one. The Regents of the University of the State of New York chartered Xavier in 1861.
A military-training unit began at the school in 1886 under the direction of the National Guard, and membership became mandatory in 1892. Five years later, collegiate and secondary studies were separated into different departments, and the college-level department was closed in 1912. The student regiment became a Junior ROTC unit in 1935, and the school was declared a military institute in 1968, offering four years of military science and training which would be recognized upon enrollment in any branch of the United States military. Participation in military studies was declared optional in 1971.
The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools since 1927.Xavier High School , Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
In 2008, Xavier High School announced that then President Daniel James Gatti would be retiring. Gatti's retirement was pushed back until the end of the 2009 school year. He was succeeded by Hoboken School Superintendent, Jack Raslowsky, the school's 33rd president and the first time in history that the position would be held by a lay person. Upon ascending to the role, Raslowsky oversaw a development operation that leading to a significant physical expansion of the Xavier High School campus.Baldwin, Carly (June 2009). "Hoboken School Superintendent Resigns". NJ News. Retrieved October 11, 2021.Xavier High School.
In March 2021, Xavier High School announced that following a nationwide search, Kim Smith, vice president of Boston College High School, was chosen to take over as headmaster starting July 1. Smith, who would be replacing Headmaster Michael LiVigni, was to become the first female headmaster in the over 170-year history of the school."NYC's Xavier HS Names 1st Female Headmaster in Its 174-Year History". NBC News (March 9, 2021). Retrieved March 13, 2021. Before the 2026-2027 school year, Headmaster Kim Smith ceased being headmaster. Long time teacher, Edward Young, was selected as Interim Headmaster.
Demographics As of 2023–24, the school had an enrollment of 924 students, with 67.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.7:1.
The school's student body was 57.6% White, 16.2% Hispanic, 8.0% Asian, 6.7% Black, 0.1% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 11.4% two or more races.
Academics
The school offers courses under the categories of religion, English, history, modern and classical languages, mathematics, science, fine arts, computer science and technology, military science, health and physical education, and a guidance department program.
Xavier's courses prepare students to embrace the five goals of the Profile of a Graduate of a Jesuit School at Graduation (the "Grad at Grad"). These goals—being open to growth, intellectually competent, religious, loving, and committed to doing justice—are the foundation of Xavier's curriculum and prepare students to live a life of competence, conscience, and compassion.
Athletics
Xavier, a Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) member, houses teams including baseball, basketball, bowling, cross-country, football, fencing, golf, hockey, indoor/outdoor track and field, rugby, soccer, lacrosse, swimming and diving, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling. Other extracurricular activities include boxing club, choir, speech and debate, chess team, anime, film, science fiction, and skiing /snowboard clubs, school newspaper, The Review, drama productions, UNICEF Club, and the Blue Knight Jazz Band. The Blue Knight Band won best trombone section at the 2010 Villanova University Big Band Festival.
Xavier's current mascot is a knight, and all of its athletic teams are referred to as the Knights. However, for many years, the teams were called the Cadets, a reflection of Xavier's military program, while a terrier was used as a mascot. After a variety of replacements, including the 1980s Bruins, the nickname of the Knights was decided upon in the early 1990s and has been official since.
Football The Xavier Football program began in the late 19th century. It has a continued rivalry with the Bronx's Fordham Preparatory School. The two schools compete in an annual "Turkey Bowl", the oldest high school football rivalry in New York City. Their very first game against one another took place in the late 19th century when the game was called off due to darkness, ending in a tie. Many of these football matches were played at Manhattan's famed Polo Grounds, until its demolition.
Rugby Rugby is a popular sport at Xavier. Rugby has varsity status, and fields four teams with over 125 players."USA's Mike Petri says tier two rugby needs more games against elite teams", ESPN, October 12, 2015. Xavier has fielded one of the top rugby teams in the United States since the club's founding in 1976.Xavier Rugby , Xavier High School. Accessed November 30, 2007.
Track The Freshman Track and Field team won the indoor and outdoor 2009 CHSAA Intersectional Championships, the first time in team history. In 2010, the team defended their outdoor victory as sophomores. The Track and Field team competed in the Nationals track meet in Greensboro, North Carolina and finished fifth in both the 4 by 100 and 4 by 200 meter relay, earning Emerging Elite Metals. In 2024, the team made history as the first NYC-based team to qualify for the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN), an invitational high school cross country race in Portland, Oregon. The Knights secured their spot after a second-place finish at the New York State Federation meet and winning the 2024 Catholic League championship.
Other sports In 1859 the College of St. Francis Xavier and St. John's College (now Fordham University) played the first collegiate level baseball game, featuring the new nine-man team style of play. Fordham won the game 33–11.For 150 Years, Fordham Baseball’s Tradition of WinningThe New York Times, April 6, 2009, p D7
Xavier High School's JV Soccer team won the CHSAA Intersectional Championship in 2008 and 2009.
Buildings
In 2016, the school acquired space inside a 25-story building, 35 West 15th Street, to house Fernandez-Duminuco Hall, occupying of space in the basement and six floors. The other floors house condominiums, and both the school campus and the condominiums have separate entrances.
The building has allowed for the expansion of the arts at Xavier. The expansion includes a new band room, music practice rooms, small ensemble room, recording studio, theater, and STEAM classroom, which houses an expanded computer science and technology department, and a student activities space.
Notable people
Alumni Dave Anderson (1929–2018, class of 1947) – writer, The New York Times; authorSolomon, George. "About Dave Anderson" . Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism. Retrieved November 29, 2017. "Dave Anderson, 85, was born in Troy, N.Y., moving with his family as a boy to Brooklyn, N.Y. and graduating from Xavier High School in Manhattan in 1947." Vincent M. Battle, (b. 1940, class of 1958) – former United States Ambassador to Lebanon John D. Caemmerer (1928–1982, class of 1946) – lawyer; politician who served in the New York (Senate)"John Caemmerer, Chairman Of State Senate Transit Panel". The New York Times. February 8, 1982. Retrieved November 29, 2017. "Mr. Caemmerer, who was born in Brooklyn, grew up in suburban East Williston. It was there, the burly Mr. Caemmerer once said, that he came to appreciate mass-transit needs as a student commuting to Xavier High School in Manhattan." Jerry Capeci – former organized crime reporter, New York Daily News; writer Charles J. Carroll (1882–1942, class of 1905) – lawyer; politician
Arthur D. Cashin Jr. (Mar, 1941 - Dec, 2024, class of 1949) Floor manager NYSE, philanthropist
John T. Clancy (1903–1985, class of 1921) – lawyer; politician; and surrogate judge from QueensWaggoner, Walter H. "John T. Clancy, 82, Ex-Borough Chief". The New York Times. May 17, 1985. Retrieved November 29, 2017. "Mr. Clancy was born in Long Island City, the son of Patrick J. Clancy, a grocer, and Mary Clancy, both natives of Limerick, Ireland. He attended public schools in Long Island City and St. Francis Xavier High School in Manhattan and then graduated from Fordham University Law School." Donald Cook (1934–1967, class of 1952) – colonel, U.S. Marine Corps; recipient, Medal of Honor"Colonel Donald Cook Square". , New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved November 27, 2007. Vincent Cooke (1936–2017, class of 1954) – president, Canisius College (1993–2010) John R. Countryman (class of 1950) – United States Ambassador to Oman (1981–1985) William H. Crain – Congressman from Texas Brigadier General Ruben Cubero (b. 1939, class of 1957) – first Hispanic dean of the faculty, United States Air Force Academy Major General Anthony Cucolo (b. 1957, class of 1975) – 49th commandant, United States Army War College John M. Culkin (b. 1932, class of 1950) – media scholar and critic; educator; writer; and consultant Albert del Rosario (b. 1939, class of 1957) – Philippine Ambassador to the United States; Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Sylvester A. Dineen (1898–1950) – schoolteacher and politician Hugh Aloysius Drum – lieutenant-general, United States Army George Dzundza (b. 1945, class of 1963) – film and television actor (Law and Order) Brad Ferguson (b. 1953, class of 1970) – author; journalist Joseph F. Finnegan – director, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Servicevia Associated Press. "Joseph F. Finnegan, Ex-Director Of U.S. Mediation Service, Dies; Lawyer Held Federal Post From 1955 to 1961, Then Headed State Board". The New York Times. February 13, 1964. Retrieved July 9, 2009. Douglas Fowley – film and television actor Michael Gargiulo (b. 1959, class of 1977) – Emmy Award-winning television personality (anchor, Today in New York) Sonny Grosso – film and television producer Ernest E. L. Hammer (1884–1970) – lawyer; politician; and judge Jerramiah Healy (b. 1950, class of 1968) – mayor, Jersey City, New Jersey Colin Jost (class of 2000) - SNL writer and weekend update anchor; husband of Scarlett Johansson George Kaftan (class of 1945) – basketball player, NBA and NCAA; recipient, 1947 MOP award Michael Keane (b. 1961, class of 1979) – Nuffield Professor of Economics, University of Oxford Seamus Kelly (b. 1991, class of 2009) – outside center, United States national rugby union team Robert Kibbee (died 1982) – chancellor, City University of New York Thomas A. Ledwith (class of 1856) – lawyer; politician, New York City, New York Dudley Field Malone – defense attorney, Scopes "Monkey" Trial; Collector of Customs, Port of New York (1913); Third Assistant Secretary of State, Woodrow Wilson Administration Joseph O. Mauborgne (class of 1901) – major general, U.S. Army; portrait artist; cryptanalyst; head, Signal Corps Cornelius Augustine McGlennon – representative for ; mayor, East Newark, New Jersey"Cornelius Augustine McGlennon". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved October 2, 2007.