Archbishop Stepinac High School Announces Latest Round of Campus-Wide Improvements

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - March 12, 2015 - PRLog -- Thanks to the ongoing generous support of its alumni, Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY, has completed another round of campus-wide improvements to help reinforce its position as one of the country’s 50 Top Catholic high schools and as a pioneer in integrating technology into the classroom to create a personalized blended learning environment.

Highlights of recent enhancements include:

·        A state-of-the-art seminar room with video conferencing capabilities, the space for which was carved out of the original Library. The new room is the result of Stepinac implementing the first-of-its-kind digital textbook library in 2013. “As we no longer needed as large a library as we formerly did, we decided to create yet another optimal learning space, complementary with the library, where students and instructors can gather in small groups for focused topic discussions using the latest technology,” explained Rev. Thomas Collins (Class of ’79), Stepinac’s President.

One of the uses of the video conferencing capability will be for Stepinac students to interface in real time with their counterparts in foreign countries as part of the school’s international outreach. Last year, Stepinac hosted a group of high school students from Asia to study and interact with their American counterparts.

Video conferencing will also enhance Stepinac’s communications with its core constituents.

·        Two new classrooms were constructed in the building’s lower level to help meet the needs of increased student enrollment which has spiked 53% over the past five years. Equipped with new lighting, flooring, furniture and technology, both were the result of converting existing spaces as follows: Two adjacent small classrooms were transformed into a larger classroom by removing the wall between them and re-configuring the classroom space. A similar construction approach was used to transform two adjacent storage rooms into a new learning space. One of the former storage rooms had been used to warehouse textbooks, a capability no longer needed as a result of the school going all digital.

·        A number of exterior improvements were undertaken including the creation of new student seating areas located at the rear of the school; installation of new sod, plantings and an underground sprinkler system; replacement and installation of new sidewalks and an upgrade of the exterior lighting. In addition, a new walkway, plantings and lighting were installed around the Our Lady statue.

Father Collins said that the latest improvements follow on the heels of major investments that the school has made over the past five years in its infrastructure to “help assure that we continue our 67-year year tradition of preparing young men for success at college and leadership roles.”

In addition to the all digital textbook library which became a model for the nation and around the world, Stepinac created a state-of-the-art computer lab and physics lab; a synthetic turf athletic complex as well as made significant enhancements to the school’s Major Bowes Theater and improvements of the building’s façade, parking lot and grounds.

Father Collins also noted that the school’s foresight in creating an advanced technological platform enabled Stepinac to provide students with a personalized blended learning environment that goes beyond using tablets and smart boards in the classroom. “It is the latest chapter in Stepinac’s proud tradition of providing young men with a second-to-none highly competitive academic and extracurricular program that prepares them for future success.”

He continued: “The bottom line is that these efforts have had a significant impact in strengthening the all boys’ school as a preeminent leader in secondary education.” He explained that in addition to the sharp increase in student enrollment since the  2009- 2009 school year, the percentage of prospective students indicating Stepinac was their first choice soared 74% over the same period.

“With a 100% college acceptance rate and many of our students being accepted by some of the country’s most prestigious colleges and universities, it is not surprising why Stepinac has become the preferred choice for parents and their children,” Father Colllins stated.

The catalyst that sparked Stepinac’s remarkable progress was the decision that the Archdiocese of New York made five years ago for 10 of its high schools including Stepinac to become independently chartered. In so doing, Stepinac became responsible for budgeting, fund raising, marketing and other governance functions associated with running a successful educational institution.

As part of its new independent status, Stepinac created a Board of Trustees comprising prominent alumni including and other leaders who have been committed to chart the school’s new future. In 2011, the Board appointed Father Collins as its ninth leader. Previously, he served as Stepinac’s Associate Dean of Students.

“The fierce loyalty and generous support of the school’s alumni have been the bedrock for Stepinac’s proud past and its bright future.”

About Archbishop Stepinac High School

The mission of Archbishop Stepinac High School is to offer young men of the Archdiocese of New York a highly competitive academic and extracurricular program that will prepare them for college and leadership roles. The faculty and staff accomplish these objectives by pursuing excellence and creating a supportive, disciplined atmosphere with a strong sense of camaraderie and Christian values that is unique to the Stepinac experience. For more information, visit www.Stepinac.org.