Xavier University Preparatory School

    XAVIER UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL, 5116 Magazine St., New Orleans – Xavier University Preparatory School is a Catholic, college preparatory school founded by St. Katharine Drexel, S.B.S., and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Louisiana State Department of Education.
    Xavier Prep – or “The Prep,” as the high school is fondly called in the New Orleans community – is open to female students in grades 7 through 12. The school leadership is provided by new principal Cheryllyn Branche; assistant principals Jacob Owens and Latricia Baham; and president Joseph E. Peychaud Jr.
    At Xavier Prep students are given individual attention in a well-disciplined environment that has promoted academic excellence and Christian moral values for more than 97 years.
    Xavier Prep’s outstanding academic program has received national recognition from the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., in the book by William Bennett, “James Madison High School.” The “Prep” was named twice as a United States Exemplary Secondary School of Excellence. Last year the graduating seniors received $2.1 million in academic and athletic scholarships to attend colleges and universities nationwide.
    The majority of Xavier Prep’s teachers are certified, and 90 percent have master’s degrees.
    The foreign language department boasts one of the most successful programs in the state. Each year, The Prep’s foreign language students take the National Latin, Spanish and/or French exams and receive superior ratings.
    In 2008, Xavier Prep underwent evaluation for accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Laurie Harper, Quality Assurance Team chairwoman, remarked that Xavier Prep is a “pearl in the oyster of New Orleans.”
    Xavier Prep offers core curriculum courses, honors and Advanced Placement (AP) opportunities. In addition to band, chorus, theater and art, Xavier Prep’s fine arts program also offers piano for four years. The program instructs students on how to play classical and jazz music.
    The academic program includes several concurrent options. The concurrent admissions program allows students to participate in dual enrollment at Xavier Prep and local colleges or universities. Eligible students may attend university classes at Xavier University, Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans and Delgado Community College and earn up to nine hours of college credit by the end of their senior year. Selected students can also enroll in the New Orleans Center of Creative Arts (NOCCA). The concurrent program affords students a wide range of educational experiences. There is no additional tuition required to participate in this program.
    Xavier Prep educates a diverse group of young women from a wide range of religious, intellectual, social and economic backgrounds. Students receive the services of two full-time guidance counselors and a campus minister. In order to cultivate self-esteem and encourage students to improve their local and global communities, Xavier Prep’s students are required to give of their time and talents to various community projects each year.
    The faculty, staff and students participate in liturgies, retreats and fund-raising events for charities, feed the hungry programs and other community activities. The school bases its philosophy on the belief that the total educational program nurtures and challenges the student, each of whom has unique gifts and talents. The focus of the program is to develop Christian young ladies by the harmonious blending of their spiritual, moral, intellectual, emotional and physical strengths.
    Xavier Prep continues to prepare students to live with purpose, compassion, dignity and responsibility. This includes preparation for a variety of post-secondary and career options. A strong sense of community service and the cultivation of leadership provide an integrated means of fulfilling this mission.