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| St. John's High School (Shrewsbury, Massachusetts) | |
|---|---|
| Name | St. John's High School |
| Motto | "In Hoc Signo Vinces", ("In This Sign You Will Conquer") |
| Established | 1894 |
| Type | Private, College-prep |
| Religious affiliation | Xaverian Brothers |
| President | Alex Zequeira |
| Principal | Andrea P. Mulrain |
| City | Shrewsbury |
| State | Massachusetts |
| Country | United States |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Colors | Green and Gold |
| Nickname | Pioneers |
| Conference | Catholic Conference |
| Website | www.stjohnshigh.org |
St. John's High School (Shrewsbury, Massachusetts) is a private, college-preparatory school for young men, operated by the Xaverian Brothers in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester. Founded in the late 19th century, the school has grown from its origins in Worcester to become one of the largest Catholic schools in New England, known for its rigorous academic program and competitive athletics. Its motto, "In Hoc Signo Vinces," reflects a tradition of striving for excellence in all endeavors.
The school was founded in 1894 by the Xaverian Brothers on Temple Street in Worcester, initially serving as both a day school and a boarding school. In 1954, under the leadership of Brother Luke, the institution relocated to its current expansive campus in neighboring Shrewsbury to accommodate growing enrollment. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the school expanded its facilities significantly, constructing new academic buildings, a chapel, and athletic complexes. This growth solidified its reputation within the Catholic school network of New England and the broader Archdiocese of Boston.
The curriculum is a comprehensive college-prep program featuring over 20 Advanced Placement courses across disciplines including STEM, humanities, and classical languages. All students engage in a four-year theology program and a mandatory computer science sequence. The school maintains a strong emphasis on service-learning, requiring over 100 hours of community service for graduation. Students consistently achieve high scores on the SAT and ACT, with a majority matriculating to Ivy League institutions, the University of Massachusetts system, and other prestigious NCAA Division I universities.
The 100-acre suburban campus in Shrewsbury features the iconic Coes Pond and a blend of historic and modern architecture. Central facilities include the Dinan Family Campus Center, the Harrington Learning Commons, and the Xaverian Brothers Spiritual Life Center. Athletic venues are extensive, including the Pioneer Field stadium complex, the Coaches Pavilion gymnasium, and multiple practice fields for soccer, lacrosse, and baseball. Recent renovations have upgraded science laboratories, performing arts spaces, and the main academic building to support 21st-century learning.
Competing as the Pioneers in the Catholic Conference, the school fields teams in over 15 MIAA sports. Its football program has won multiple state Super Bowl championships, while the basketball and ice hockey teams are perennial contenders for state championship titles. The swimming and diving and track and field programs have also produced numerous individual state champions and All-American athletes. Rivalries with schools like Boston College High School and Catholic Memorial School are highlights of the annual schedule.
Alumni have achieved prominence in diverse fields such as politics, professional sports, and entertainment. In government, notable figures include former Massachusetts Governor Paul Cellucci and United States Congressman Joseph D. Early. The school has produced several NFL players, including Rich Ohrnberger and John Aloisi. In media, alumni include ESPN sportscaster Mike Tirico and actor Tommy Dewey. Other distinguished graduates encompass business leaders like TJX Companies CEO Ernie Herrman and United States Air Force Major General Francis X. Taylor.