Type Private, Coeducational Established 1964 Principal Mary Harkins Phone +1 215-672-5050 Colors Black, Green, Gold | Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic President Gary Zimmaro Tuition 6,200 USD Mascot Viking | |
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Motto Coronam Fidelitas Merebit
(Faithfulness Merits the Crown) Address 655 York Rd, Warminster, PA 18974, USA Similar Archbishop Ryan High School, La Salle College High Sch, Bishop McDevitt High Sch, William Tennent High Sch, Lansdale Catholic High Sch | ||
Archbishop Wood Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The school was built in 1964 in Warminster Township in Bucks County.
Contents
School Seal and Motto
The school seal is in the shape of a shield bearing a cross with green ivy and a gold crown superimposed. The symbolism of the seal and free translation of the motto:
Fidelity (the ivy) to Christian principles (the cross) will merit for students and the graduate the crown of everlasting life. Emblazoned below the shield is the school motto: "Coronam Fidelitas Merebit", meaning "Faithfulness Merits The Crown".
History
Archbishop Wood was founded and built in 1964 in Warminster Township, Pennsylvania as two separate but essentially identical buildings. Named after Philadelphia's 19th century Archbishop James Frederick Bryan Wood, the school was originally divided into Archbishop Wood High School For Boys and Archbishop Wood High School For Girls.
Though the original blueprints for the school included an auditorium to be built in the space between the separate buildings, budgetary constraints forced plans for the auditorium to be scrapped. By 1987, funding for the auditorium had been secured thanks to donations by the Archbishop Wood Alumni Association. The Sophia A. Friedman Auditorium was completed by 1989, coinciding with the joining of the two schools into Archbishop Wood Catholic High School, wherein the school became co-educational and the two buildings were united by means of the auditorium.
Academics
Archbishop Wood Catholic High School is well known throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for its excellence in academics. The school currently offers eleven Advanced Placement classes, and over 98% of students take the SATs each year. 75% of the graduating class attend a four-year college, while 19% attend a two-year college. Students of color make up less than 3% of the student population. Graduates frequently gain acceptance into some of the most prestigious schools nationwide, including Ivy League and Patriot League schools as well as service academies, and are awarded over $18 million in scholarships yearly.
Student life
Archbishop Wood's mascot is the Viking. Students participate in a variety of co- and extracurricular activities from athletics to academic programs to student-run activities. The students of Archbishop Wood provide fantastic support for their sports teams and are often referred to as the "Warminster Wackies." The Warminster Wackies are usually led by one or two devoted student leaders each year.
A total of fifty classroom teachers are employed, with around a 1:20 teacher-to-student ratio.
The Viking Voice (Newspaper)
The Viking Voice is Archbishop Wood's student newspaper. When the school was founded in 1965, the student newspaper was split into two divisions, one for the boys' school and another for the girls'. The newspaper was called "Crossroads" and "Wood Winds", respectively. When the two buildings were united and Archbishop Wood made co-educational in 1989, the newspaper was rechristened "The Viking Voice".
Individuals within the school have maintained an extensive physical archive of the newspapers dating back to 1967. In 2006, various alumni began a project to digitize the archives to preserve them for posterity. The digital archives can be accessed here. Though efforts have been made to enhance the standing of the newspaper, there has historically been little financial or institutional support for an expanded, comprehensive student-run newspaper infrastructure.
The Viking (Yearbook)
Prior to the school becoming co-educational, the boys' school yearbook was titled "Woodsman", and the girls' yearbook was titled "Embers."
Performing Arts Department
Archbishop Wood's performing arts department is widely recognized for its professionalism and talent. Two theatre productions are presented each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Performances consistently sell out in advance, performing for over 3,000 audience members as well as over 2,000 elementary school students in the week leading up to the performance weekend.
The Marching Unit was disbanded in 2013 due to lack of interest, and the focus shifted towards concert ensembles within the department. While active, the unit competed at the highest level of its class, most recently winning the 2011 Cavalcade of Bands Independence A Championship in Hershey, PA, and the 2010 Tournament of Bands All Chapter Championship (Group 2A) in Hershey, PA. Recent awards also include a USSBA All-State Championship in 2001, USSBA PA State Championships in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2005, and a Cavalcade of Bands Championship in 2007. The Indoor Percussion Ensemble and Color Guard shared in the Marching Unit's success, winning several TIA championships over the past ten years.
Student Council
The Student Council consists of a president, three vice presidents, two executive board members from each graduating class, and a representative from each homeroom.
Athletics
Archbishop Wood has a proud athletic tradition with numerous Philadelphia Catholic League Champions.
The Championship teams are:
Football: 2011 State Championship
The Archbishop Wood Vikings beat Harrisburg's Bishop McDevitt Crusaders 52-0 in the 2011 PIAA AAA State Championship game at Hersheypark Stadium. The 52-0 victory was the largest margin of victory ever in a PIAA state championship game and the second most points ever scored in a state championship game. Archbishop Wood rushed for 343 yards, The team and finished the season ranked #17 in the nation by Sports Illustrated.