Archbishop Curley High School

Early History

The school is named for Michael Joseph Curley, the tenth Archbishop of Baltimore and first Archbishop of Washington. It opened in September 1961 with a class of 420 freshmen, and was dedicated on April 17, 1962, by Cardinal Lawrence Shehan.

The building was designed by local architect Edward H. Glidden and is located on a 33-acre (130,000 m²) campus on the northeast edge of the City of Baltimore.

The first Head of School was Fr. Aloysius Balcerak, OFM Conv., who welcomed the first students to Curley as their Principal. The school's first graduating class matriculated in 1965.

Growth and Development

Archbishop Curley High School celebrated its 25th Anniversary during the 1985-1986 school year under principal Fr. Gregory Hartmayer (later Bishop of Savannah). During that year, a smaller wing was added onto the building to house the instrumental music department facilities, including a concert practice room. Additional athletic facilities were added in an adjacent wing, including the weight room and wrestling room.

In 1994, the school welcomed its first Head of School to also be an alumnus. Fr. Donald Grzymski, OFM Conv. graduated from Curley in 1970 and returned now to serve as principal. Fr. Grzymski's tenure as principal is most notable for transitioning the school to a president-principal model, where he would continue on as Head of School in the role of the Curley's first president. Under the leadership of Fr. Grzymski, the school undertook its first capital campaign, "Endowing Our Tradition," with the funds benefiting Curley's endowment. By 1996, Fr. Michael Martin, OFM Conv. '79 had joined Grzymski in the Administration as the school's principal.

By the year 2000, a shift had begun to take place among the faculty and staff. Three notable educators who had served since 1962 all retired after over 30 years each. As Mr. E. Patrick Maloney, Mr. Richard "Coach" Patry, and eventually Mr. Albert E. Frank all departed the school, a new trend was beginning to emerge. Alumni were increasingly returning to teach and work at their alma mater. By the dawn of the 21st Century, the school boasted over a dozen men who had come home to serve Curley again, both in leadership offices and in the classroom.

21st Century Expansion

At the start of the 21st century, with the endowment secured, the campus grounds were revamped with new fencing, a concession stand, and a new bowl stadium with terraced seating. After the completion of the Bowl project, Grzymski stepped down as president and Martin was appointed to succeed him. Martin would in turn be replaced as principal by Mr. Barry Brownlee. Brownlee had previously served as assistant principal under Martin, and was the first lay principal in school history.

At the end of the 2004-2005 school year, the first phase of a major facilities renaissance was begun. The Friary was reconstructed to better reflect the number of religious living on the grounds and the balance of the space provided room for the relocation of the Lawrence Cardinal Shehan Library to the second floor, adjacent to the academic wing of the building. The space previously occupied by the Library was renovated to house a new Fitness Center, with expanded weight training and wrestling room space. A center for the full-time athletic trainer was also added.

A grant provided funds for a rehabilitation of the Auditorium seating and in the summer of 2005, further renovations funded by a capital campaign provided a new faculty dining room, a relocated bookstore, conference rooms and offices for the development director, athletic director and alumni association. The science labs, school roof, tennis courts, and student lockers were also rehabilitated.

Capital Campaign Improvements

Under the theme "In Giving We Receive," an aggressive capital campaign was launched in 2008 to generate funds for improvements to the campus in advance of the school's 50th anniversary in 2011.

In the summer of 2008, a second parking lot was added and the interior roads were renovated, reestablishing the Auditorium lobby as the main entrance of the school. An elevator, making the academic wing ADA accessible, was completed in the spring of 2009. The Auditorium was also temperature-controlled for air-conditioning and heat. Additional renovations have included the Gymnasium, Main Office, Auditorium Lobby, and the Guidance Office.

In May 2009, ground was broken on a $4 million complex, the Holthaus Center for the Fine Arts. The center is named for Gerard E. Holthaus '67, then-CEO of Algeco Scotsman International, who made a $1 million leadership gift to the building campaign. The new facility, completed in May 2010, houses choral and instrumental music practice rooms, as well as storage for Blackfriars' Theatre and space for the Visual Arts Department. Offices for student media and student activities round out the state-of-the-art complex.

Curley celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary during the 2010-2011 school year in honor of its founding in 1960 and its opening in 1961. The theme was "A Year of Jubilee." The capital campaign concluded, with future plans still including a new baseball field (made possible from a land swap with the City), artificial turf for all of the athletic fields, a Field House practice facility, and a second Gymnasium.

Leadership Transitions

After nine years as President, Fr. Michael Martin announced in November 2009 that he was stepping down at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 school year. His successor, nominated by the School Board and the Friars and confirmed by Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, is Fr. Joseph Benicewicz '78, OFM Conv.

After assisting Fr. Joe with the transition to the President's Office, Barry Brownlee announced his retirement as Principal. His successor was named as Mr. Philip Piercy. Concurrent to this announcement, Joseph DellaMonica, Vice-President of Finance and Curley's longest-tenured employee (43 years), also announced his retirement. With additional changes in both Assistant Principal offices and Campus Ministry, 2011-2012 marks the largest leadership transition in the school's history.

In July 2014, the Archdiocese announced that Fr. Joe and Mr. Piercy would not continue in their roles for the 2014-15 academic year.

Academics

There are three distinct academic programs available at Archbishop Curley High School. Mobility and flexibility between programs is a key value of the curricula.

The Franciscan Program

The honors curriculum offers a rigorous course of study for intellectually gifted students. Franciscan Scholars as a stand-alone program within the Franciscan track, achieve baccalaureate honors through a Capstone project as well as numerous Advanced Placement courses and electives.

The Cupertino Program

The college-preparatory curriculum offers development in 21st Century skills for students performing at or near grade-level ability. Emphasis is placed on an inquiry-based system of study that engages students across disciplines.

The Anthony Program

The adaptive learning curriculum offers support and remediation to student with diagnosed learning differences. Resources are provided to assist students of all ability levels achieve their fullest potential.

Campus Activities

The school boasts a large number of clubs and co-curricular activities (over 30) for students to participate in beyond the classroom. Intramural sports provide students an opportunity for informal recreation and competitive play throughout the school year. A comprehensive summer program for both recreation and academic enrichment is also offered annually.

Campus Ministry

Curley's Franciscan Youth Ministry program offers students opportunities for prayer, liturgy and fellowship; as well as a commitment to service, social justice, and community outreach.

Athletics

Archbishop Curley High School was a founding member of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA). After the disbanding of the Maryland Scholastic Association (MSA) in 1994, it was Fr. Robert Twele, then Curley's principal, who led the Committee to draft the new organization's constitution and its by-laws. Consequently, championships from 1961 to 1994 are from the MSA and championships from 1995 to the present are from the MIAA.

Connection with Franciscan Order

The School Board established by the Archbishop of Baltimore is responsible for the general operation and management of Archbishop Curley High School. There are currently four Franciscan friars on the full-time staff, with one other in-residence. In addition to the Franciscan Friars, the faculty also includes lay teachers.

Other Affiliations and Recognitions

The school is accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education and, through 2014, by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Beginning in 2010, all Archdiocese of Baltimore schools became accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This new accreditation will replace the MSA process.

The School Board received the Outstanding Board Award in 2007 from the National Catholic Educational Association.

Head of School

From 1961 until 1995, the Principal served as Head of School. Beginning in 1995 with its inception, and still today, the position of President serves as Head of School. The Principal still functions in the role of daily school management and as Chief Academic Officer, reporting to the President. A gallery of formal portraits featuring all the past Heads of School is on display in the Auditorium Lobby.

Current Administration

Notable alumni