Archbishop Shaw High School

    ARCHBISHOP SHAW HIGH SCHOOL, 1000 Barataria Blvd., Marrero – Archbishop Shaw High School, celebrating completion of its 50th academic year, offers excellence in Catholic education to the young men of the West Bank. Founded in 1962 and administered by the Salesians of St. John Bosco, the school offers a comprehensive religious and youth ministry program, challenging academics and award-winning sports and activities at its spacious 72-acre campus, conveniently located off the West Bank Expressway in Marrero.
    Seven Salesian priests and brothers live on campus, including the school’s director, principal, youth ministry coordinator and technology coordinator. These men animate the school with a spirit of reason, religion and loving-kindness according to the educational methods of St. John Bosco, who gave primary importance to the relationship between the educator and the young person.
    Archbishop Shaw has a distinct family atmosphere where students feel comfortable and welcome, knowing they are part of a community that cares for them. The school is large enough to offer a wide variety of activities and academic opportunities, yet small enough that students can be known individually.
    Archbishop Shaw is the only boys’ Catholic high school on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish. Its course offerings are college-preparatory and go beyond state minimums. All students are required to take a course of studies that meets the entry requirements of four-year Louisiana institutions of higher learning. Students are required to take seven units a year for each of the four years they are enrolled. Capable students may schedule a complement of honors courses within most disciplines. Eligible students can also take Advanced Placement and college-credit courses. The class of 2012, which consisted of 105 graduates, earned more than $2 million in college scholarships.
    In light of the school’s Salesian philosophy, the educational program is committed to the development of the total person: spiritual, academic, social, moral and physical. Archbishop Shaw follows a rotating block schedule of seven classes. The timetable also provides for a daily, independent-study period that can be used for such activities as visiting the library, attending tutoring or meeting with school clubs and organizations.
    Archbishop Shaw’s campus is fully wireless, and all students, administration and faculty participate in a one-to-one iPad tablet program. All classrooms have SMART Boards, and teachers post grades weekly on Edline, an educational web portal.
    Archbishop Shaw offers students a wide variety of award-winning clubs, sports and activities. Last year, the cross country team won the state championship, and the baseball, bowling, wrestling and golf teams were district champions. The football and basketball teams were playoff qualifiers, and the youth ministry, Key and Respect-Life clubs are always active. One of the 2012 seniors was named a WWL A+ Athlete, and several students were named LHSAA Academic All-State athletes. Numerous honors were given to the Quiz Bowl Team at the regional, state and national levels, with several Regional Science Fair winners doing Archbishop Shaw proud.
    Students in each grade have a service requirement. An annual highlight is the selection of 20 students to represent the school at two Salesian Leadership Retreats in New York City, where participants learn, share, pray and grow with representatives from other Salesian schools in the eastern United States.
    An active school requires up-to-date facilities. Recent projects include the refurbishment of the gymnasium lobby; new bleachers, lighting, and court graphics in the gymnasium itself; three renovated science labs; top-of-the-line widescreen monitors for the library computers; a new baseball field house and renovated baseball stadium; a new flag pole; and a religious and spiritual area with benches and a walkway under 20 of our 100-year-old oak trees.
    Welcoming students back for the 2012-13 school year are Salesian Father Louis Molinelli, director/president; Salesian Father Louis Konopelski, principal; Salesian Brother Gerald Meegan, coordinator of youth ministry; and Salesian Father Thomas McGahee, technology coordinator. Other members of the administrative team are Christopher Collins, assistant principal of academics; Mark Williams, dean of students; Cheryl Reine, guidance director; Thomas Alef, athletics/activities director; John Corb, finance director; and Matthew Ducote, admissions director.
    Archbishop Shaw provides a quality, Salesian education on the West Bank. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school lives up to its motto: “Excelsior … ever striving, ever achieving.”