Bishop Ireton High School is a Roman Catholic high school located in Alexandria, Virginia. The school was founded in 1964 by the Oblates of St. Francis DeSales, and named in honor of Peter Leo Ireton, Bishop of Richmond from 1945 to 1958. The school originally admitted only male students. Bishop Ireton, more commonly known as "BI" or simply "Ireton", became coeducational in 1990 after the closing of sister school, St. Mary's Academy. In 2008, the Oblates withdrew their presence from Ireton and the school is now solely managed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington.
Video Bishop Ireton High School
Administration
The school is administered by a Head of School, who is supported by the Principal. Other members of the Administrative team include: the Chaplin/Director of Campus Ministry, the Senior Director of Institutional Advancement, the Director of Operations, the Director of Athletics, and the Director of Finance. The Principal is also supported by two Assistant Principals, one for Academics and another for Student Life.
Maps Bishop Ireton High School
Student Council Association (SCA)
The Student Council is organized in the following manner:
Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors are elected by their classmates and two upperclassmen (Juniors or Seniors) are elected as student body President and one Vice President. The class officers are organized as follows:
- One President and three or four officers for each class
The SCA meets once a week and plans important events, such as Homecoming Week, Adopt a Family, Dress Out Day Fundraisers, the Winter Ball, and the Lenten Service Drive. These students also have a role in graduation, having the privilege of going first and carrying flags and gonfalons.
Academics
The Academic Department offers three levels: CP (College Preparatory), HN (Honors), and AP (Advanced Placement).
· The school offers 22 Advanced Placement courses and 41 honors courses and two dual enrollment courses with Northern Virginia Community College
· More than 80% of Bishop Ireton faculty has advanced degrees
· The school's unique advisory program matches students and teachers in partnerships for all four years at Ireton
· For students who need personalized support,BI's Academic Enrichment Program helps students reach their potential
· Nine Ireton students have been appointed to U.S. Service Academies the last two years
· The Class of 2017 received $20 million in scholarships to colleges and universities and 100% of the class was accepted to college.
Athletics
Bishop Ireton competes in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference which is home to schools such as Gonzaga College High School, St. John's College High School and DeMatha Catholic High School although the school plays an independent football schedule. The school has had many student athletes go on to attend college on athletic scholarship. Ireton has several noteworthy rivals, including:
- Paul VI Catholic High School
- Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School
- Gonzaga College High School
Among the many sports played at Ireton are football, field hockey, cheerleading, cross country, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, track and field, wrestling, ice hockey, golf, swimming & diving, volleyball, soccer, tennis, softball, rowing, water polo, and indoor track. Almost 9 out of every 10 students at Ireton will have been engaged in an athletic activity at least once in their high school career.
School Spirit
Bishop Ireton's mascot is the Cardinal and students have a tremendous amount of school spirit. Besides our National Championship Cheerleaders, the Cardinal Crazies organize students around a theme for particular athletic events for important sporting events throughout the school year!
Fine and Performing Arts
Music
The Bishop Ireton Music Department offers students the opportunity to explore their passion for music. The school offers a variety of musical groups including: the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz and String Ensembles, Guitar Performers, and the Choir. In 2016, our Symphonic Wind Ensemble and members of our Concert Choir played in the Concert Hall of the Kennedy Center. Each year over Spring Break, the Wind Ensemble has the honor of performing internationally. Recent trips have taken the group to France, Spain, Italy, and Germany. The 2018 tour will take the Wind Ensemble back to France. Past performance venues for Bishop Ireton Chamber Ensembles have included the White House, French Embassy, National Building Museum, Lee Fendall House, and the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. Bishop Ireton's Music Department is led by Dr. Randall Eyles who is supported by Mr. Dan Kosko.
Theater
Bishop Ireton Theatre Arts' award-winning program stages two mainstage shows each season; one play and one musical. In addition, the student-run Bishop Ireton Drama Club holds many events throughout the year including a trip to New York. Hundreds of students have passed through Ireton's drama program and many students are currently enrolled in acting, stage crafts, and costuming classes. Other drama events include the annual Evening of the Arts where student-directed one acts are displayed. Bishop Ireton's Garwood Whaley Auditorium is home to the Bishop Ireton theatre program. The 783-seat space is a fully equipped theatrical venue that plays host to many other functions within the school. During the 2017-18 school year, after several years away from Bishop Ireton's stage, Theater teacher Joanna Henry returned as the Director of Theater Arts and she will direct and produce the two main stage productions this year.
Student Life
Students are provided leadership activities, opportunities to pursue their passions and all of the fun that high school provides. Each year celebrations include, Spirit Week, Homecoming, Feast Week, Winter Ball and Junior and Senior Prom. Additionally, as a school we are engaged in service to our local community, national and international partners. Student's participate in monthly Dress-out-days, regular retreats and class competitions. Our Student leaders plan retreats, school prayer services, organize tutoring for their peers and volunteer in the community.
Clubs
Almost every Bishop Ireton student participates in at least one of the nearly 60 clubs on campus. If students don't find one that inspires them, they can find an adviser, submit a proposal and start one of their own. Recently formed clubs include the Maker and Tinker Club, the Coding Club, Girls who Code, and the Fishing Club.
Dances
- Homecoming Dance
- Winter Ball (A semi-formal dance, in which all proceeds benefit Bishop Ireton's sister school in Haiti, Louverture-Cleary)
- Prom (Juniors and Seniors are invited)
Senior All Nite Grad Party
Events normally include swimming, laser tag, blackjack, races, obstacle courses, karaoke, and prizes. It is generally not over until 5:30 AM the following morning.
Notable alumni
- Jon Carroll, Grammy Award Winning Songwriter and Performer (Starland Vocal Band).
- Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters and Nirvana (attended freshman and part of sophomore years)
- Bob McDonnell, former Governor of Virginia
- Jake Odmark, professional actor on Broadway
- Charlie Raphael, former professional soccer player.
- Andrew Rodriguez, winner of the 2011 Campbell Trophy, given annually to the top scholar-athlete in NCAA Division 1 football
- Morakinyo Williams, professional basketball
- Chris Adler, drummer from band Lamb of God (band)
References
External links
- Official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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