Xavier University Preparatory School

Xavier University Preparatory School
Xavier Prep
Xavier Prep in 2008
Address
Map
5116 Magazine Street

New Orleans
,
Louisiana
70115

United States
Coordinates29°55′13″N 90°6′37″W / 29.92028°N 90.11028°W / 29.92028; -90.11028
Information
School typePrivate, All-Girls
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established1915
FounderSt. Katharine Drexel
StatusClosed
Closed2013
PresidentJoseph Peychaud Jr.
PrincipalCheryllyn Branche
ChaplainRamona Ragas
Grades7–12
Age range12-18
Average class size25
LanguageSpanish, Latin
Hours in school day8
Color(s)Gold, White and Black    
Song"In the Crescent Bend"
AthleticsBasketball, Volleyball, Cross Country, Softball, Flag Football (seniors only)
MascotYellow Jackets
Team nameYellow Jackets
RivalSt. Mary's Cougars
AccreditationSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools[1]
Tuition$5,750
Athletic DirectorDon McGhee, Coach Lawrence
Websitewww.xavierprep.com

Xavier University Preparatory School was a private, Catholic high school in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament founded, owned and operated the school, having opened it in 1915 as what would eventually become Xavier University of Louisiana.[2]

Andrew Vanacore of The Times Picayune wrote in 2013 that "Xavier Prep has evolved over nearly a century into a symbol of achievement for girls from the city's black middle class."[3] The school closed that same year, later reopened as St. Katharine Drexel Preparatory School.

History

Xavier Prep was established in 1915 by Saint Katharine Drexel; its first president was a Josephite priest.[2] It was originally intended to be a revival of Southern University, which had recently relocated from Uptown New Orleans to Baton Rouge due to racist opposition to an HBCU being in the neighborhood.

The school would eventually change its name officially to Xavier, and in 1925 became Xavier University of Louisiana. The university would relocate to its current location in Gert Town while the high school remained uptown.

The school was historically for black children only during educational segregation in the United States. It was coeducational until 1970, when it became an all girls' school.[3] It opened to all races as a result of desegregation circa 1970.

It was closed in 2013.[2] Alumni then purchased the school building and reopened it as St. Katharine Drexel Preparatory School the same year.

According to Vanacore, the word "sisterhood" was used to describe the school community and its former students.[3]

Athletics

Championships

Football championships (4) State Championships: 1936, 1937, 1940, 1941

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. ^ SACS-CASI. "SACS-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement". Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
  2. ^ a b c Eggler, Bruce (2013-02-21). "Xavier Prep in New Orleans to close at end of current academic year". The Times Picayune. Retrieved 2015-10-03.
  3. ^ a b c Vanacore, Andrew (2013-02-21). "Xavier Prep community, in shock, fears loss of a 'sisterhood'". The Times Picayune. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  4. ^ Columbus, Danae; Columnist, Opinion. "Viewpoint: Nuns at Xavier Prep set Judge Piper Griffin on her path". Uptown Messenger. Retrieved 2020-09-21.


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