Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

Holy Cross Academy (New Jersey)

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Type
  
Private, parochial

Established
  
1957

Faculty
  
52.8 (on FTE basis)

Phone
  
+1 856-461-5400

Colors
  
Grey, White, Maroon

Religious affiliation(s)
  
Roman Catholic

Principal
  
Dennis Guida

Tuition
  
11,140 USD (2014–2015)

Number of students
  
566 (2013–2014)

Holy Cross Academy (New Jersey)

Assoc. principals
  
Carla Chiarelli Michael Fynan

Address
  
5035 US-130, Riverside, NJ 08075, USA

Profiles

Holy Cross Academy (formerly Holy Cross High School) is a four-year Catholic high school serving students in ninth through twelfth grades, located in Delran Township, New Jersey, United States. The school is the only Roman Catholic high school in Burlington County. Holy Cross has been fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Secondary Schools since 1984. The school is run under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton.

Contents

Occupying a 78-acre (0.32 km2) campus, it has a variety of co-curricular activities, including about 40 sports teams in 23 athletic programs and 50 clubs, for students to participate in. Tuition for the 2014-15 school year is $11,140. As of the 2013-14 school year, the school had an enrollment of 566 students and 52.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.7:1.

The student population is from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. 99% of the school's graduates go onto two and four-year colleges and universities.

The school underwent a $3.5 million renovation in 2005. A renovated Gerald Finsen Media Center was built during the 2005-06 school year.

Extracurricular activities

About 96% of the student body is involved in some type of extracurricular activity.

In 2006, Holy Cross created a new, redesigned Dance Team program with a custom dance studio that was completed that summer. Holy Cross features three annual drama events: a fall play, a Christmas production, and a spring musical. The 2008-09 lineup included Noises Off in October 2008, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, in December 2008 and a spring musical that runs in April.

An entire week of games and activities lead up to the big game and the homecoming dance. "Spirit Week" draws alumni, friends, family, and the curious in general.

Holy Cross' student government format is a Student Council and is open to anyone in the student body who wishes to be involved. While the Student Council Executive Board (SCEB) has a president and other positions, it takes ideas and opinions from anyone regardless of rank. The board is responsible for many of the year's events, including formal dances, homecoming activities, etc.

Athletics

The Holy Cross Lancers compete in the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL), which includes public and non-public high schools covering Burlington County, Mercer County and Ocean County in Central Jersey, and operates under the supervision of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).

In 2007, the field hockey team won the Central Jersey, Group I state sectional championship with a 2-1 win over Haddonfield Memorial High School in the tournament final.

The 2007 boys soccer team won the South B state sectional championship with a 1-0 win over Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in the tournament final.

In 2007 the Holy Cross football team, won the Non-Public Group II state championship with a 17-0 win over Gloucester Catholic High School in the tournament final.

During the 2007-08 sports season, Holy Cross sports teams won a total of six state championships.

A team representing Holy Cross High School competes in the South Jersey High School Ice Hockey League. In 2007, the Lancers Ice Hockey team won the S.J.H.S.H.L. Championship defeating Cherry Hill High School West, the school's first ice hockey championship since 1993.

In 2008 the boys spring track team won the Patriot Division championship, the South Jersey Non-Public B championship, and the Non-Public B state championship for the first time in program history.

In 2008, the girls spring track team won the Patriot Division championship, the South Jersey Non-Public B championship, and the Non-Public B state championship for their first state title since 1991.

In 2008, the Holy Cross football team, won the Non-Public Group II state championship with a 7-0 win over Hudson Catholic High School.

Faculty

Core members of the school's faculty include:

  • Dennis M. Guida, Principal
  • Carla Chiarelli, Associate Principal for Curriculum and Instructional Development
  • Michael Fynan, Associate Principal for Business Administration
  • Controversy

    Former principal Joseph Lemme pleaded guilty in December 2007 to the theft of $400,000 from the school for his personal use and was sentenced to five years in prison as part of a plea bargain.

    Notable alumni

  • Mark Adamo (born 1962), composer and librettist with New York City Opera.
  • Lance Bangs (born 1972, class of 1990), filmmaker, known for the Jackass movies as well as The Lazarus Effect.
  • Avon Cobourne (born 1979), CFL player for the Montreal Alouettes.
  • Phil Costa (born 1987), NFL player for the Dallas Cowboys.
  • Anthony Giacchino (born 1969), filmmaker and producer.
  • Michael Giacchino (born 1967), composer and Academy Award winner for Up.
  • Stephen Kasprzyk (born 1982, class of 2000), rower who competed in the Men's eight event at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
  • Michelle Kosinski (born 1974), NBC News Emmy-award winning foreign correspondent, based in London.
  • Dennis Landolt (born 1986), football player for the New York Jets.
  • Todd Lehmann, basketball player.
  • Wali Lundy (born 1983), running back for the Houston Texans.
  • Gregg Murphy (born 1971), sportscaster on Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.
  • Jerry Penacoli (born 1956), correspondent on Extra.
  • Gervase Peterson (born 1969), contestant on Survivor: Borneo.
  • John "JR" Rickert (born 1970), sports agent for NFL, MLB, and NBA players.
  • Keith Saunders (born 1984), linebacker who has played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
  • Scott Semptimphelter (born 1972), football player.
  • Mark Zagunis (born 1993; class of 2011), professional baseball player.
  • Jeff Zaun (born 1971), former professional soccer player who played at Holy Cross for three seasons before transferring out for his senior year.
  • References

    Holy Cross Academy (New Jersey) Wikipedia