St. Philip Catholic Central High School

St. Philip Catholic Central High School, located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo, is a Roman Catholic high school in Battle Creek, Michigan. Enrollment is around 163.

History

In 1863, the St. Philip Parish Committee purchased a one room red frame building, formerly used as the first Quaker Meeting House, at a public auction for $1,200. This building was located between where the current church and rectory lie.

This original one room frame building was eventually moved to the back of the purchased property and converted to a school, wherein the first Catholic education classes held in Battle Creek were taught—originally in 1880 by a lay teacher—later by Dominican Sisters. This building was replaced by a modest five room brick structure, and then in 1909 an elementary school was built behind the church. Necessary demolition of this structure took place in the fall of 2005.

Construction of St. Philip High School was begun in 1917, its first graduating class being the class of 5 students in 1922. In l956, a $500,000 addition to the high school created twenty classrooms, a regulation gym with a seating capacity for 1350 people, and a locker room for both boys and girls—allowing girls, for the first time, to have physical education classes.

Except for improvements that have been made to keep the facility as safe and efficient as its structure allows, the 1956 facility remains.

The high school’s athletic field was acquired in 1939 and named Walsh Field in honor of Monsignor Walsh, under whose pastorate the property was acquired; and in 1948 the graduating class of 1951 sponsored the building of the outdoor Grotto which was dedicated to Our Lady of the Lourdes. Both Walsh Field and the Grotto remain integral inclusions of St Philip hub.^[1]

The Curriculum

The curriculum at St. Philip Catholic Central High School surpasses national standards and state requirements. Students graduate with 24 academic credits, accomplished through courses offering four to five years of English, Theology, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Foreign Language.

Additionally, electives are available in Fine Arts, Computer Technology, Physical Education, and Choral & Instrumental music.

In the fall of 2006, used Apple laptop computers were issued to each incoming freshman. The school began issuing iPads instead of laptops beginning in the fall of 2012.

Sports

The Fighting Tigers compete in Class D, Division 8 of the MHSAA. The school offers the following sports: Baseball, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Football, Men's Golf, Men's Track, Women's Track, Volleyball, Men's and Women's Swimming with Battle Creek Central, and Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, and Men's Soccer with Calhoun Christian.

St. Philip's is associated with the South Central Athletic Association (SCAA) beginning with the school year of (2009), transferring out of the Saint Joe Valley.

The most recent Class D state Titles came in Girls' Cross Country (2006), and Volleyball (2007-W, 2007-F, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013). Over the years they have won 23 state titles, 13 state runners-up, 58 regional crowns, and 77 district championships.Ava Strenge has also won^[2] a cross country title in 2014.

Noted alumni

• Don Kent, American professional wrestler
• Mike Reilly, Major League Umpire
• Colin Andrews, Hand Model
• De'Angelo Van Syckle, Legend
• Thomas Prebish, Surgeon

References

External links

• Official School website