Mission Statement

Xavier High School endeavors to prepare students for the 21st century who will be persons of competence, conscience, and compassion. As a Catholic, college preparatory school for boys, Xavier accomplishes this goal in the context of a multicultural, urban community dedicated to learning, faith, and service. 

Under the direction of boards of trustees and members, Xavier is sponsored by the Society of Jesus whose members work in collaboration with men and women who share the Ignatian vision of education. This community maintains an atmosphere in which there is mutual development of all concerned as fully human persons. Our inspiration comes directly from the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the charism of the Ignatian tradition of forming "men and women for others." Cura personalis, the personal care of every individual, is a fundamental characteristic of that same tradition. 

As Xavier celebrates 150 years of service to the greater New York metropolitan area, our philosophy is focused for us by one of our seniors in an address to the entire school: 

We remember our past with pride and look to our future with expectation. Creating "men and women for others" is the driving force behind all that we do at Xavier. We strive to live as Jesus did, for God and others. St. Ignatius Loyola taught that true balance can be achieved only by combining individuality with the aims and spirit of the whole. This is what has been handed down to us, and this is what we commit ourselves to hand on to those who come after us. 

Goals

A. Community

"Community" implies a shared vision that unites all participants. It goes beyond the mere sharing of time and space, and addresses the feeling of belonging, the experience of family. The Xavier family is diverse in culture, generations, and functions. It includes not only faculty and students, but also parents, alumni, and administration. Each has various levels of involvement in support of the experience of school. Each brings a richly diverse background, the new immigrant and he long established, the believer and non-believer, all learning and teaching. 

The community shares a sense of cura personalis which stretches the individual to recognize and realize personal giftedness shared in the service of others. We celebrate the richness of each individual while acknowledging the obligation to share those gifts with others. 

1.      We provide opportunities for the community to work, play, and pray together in order to strengthen mutual interaction and respect. 

2.      We foster an atmosphere of faith and awareness of the value of all people through liturgies, reconciliation services, and retreats in which each is invited to participate to the fullest.

3.      We respect cultural differences by fostering different clubs open to all, while focusing on a specific part of the whole community. 

4.      We celebrate talents and achievements with awards and assemblies, teams and activities. Adults as well as students are invited to display their varied talents.

5.      To support cura personalis, a system of advisors, counselors, retreat directors, a social worker, and a chaplain works with parents to provide individual contact and a safe haven for students.

6.      With an eye to the 21st century, Xavier provides technology and integrates it into the learning experience.

7.      Through cooperation on a province and national level, we seek to cooperate with the 45 Jesuit high schools throughout the county in sharing and adapting the Ignatian vision.

8.      We invite our alumni to continue their involvement in the school through the newsletter, reunions, and ongoing support.

B. Learning

Learning goes beyond the attainment of educational objectives in the cognitive, affective, creative, physical, and social domains. Learning looks to the integration of experience within the person. The Ignatian paradigm considers the context, reflects on experience to determine action, and then evaluates the whole. 

1.      We recognize various learning styles and incorporate varied teaching methods in order to engage the student as an active learner. 

2.      We offer college preparatory courses based on clearly stated objectives and sequential learning experiences. 

3.      We sensitize the community to individual ethics and morality in the context of the Catholic tradition with respect for the rights of each as an individual.

4.      We accept the responsibility of the whole staff to represent the Ignatian philosophy and to be men and women for others. 

5.      We provide a system of academic, personal, and spiritual guidance to assist each student's development and growth.

6.      We provide a wide variety of co-curricular activities aimed at uniting the community and developing diverse talents.

7.      We provide structured opportunities to serve and reflect on the value of service.

8.      We harness the available technology to enhance the experience of learning and provide the skills for life-long learning.

9.      We provide for the continuing development of the adult members of the community.

C. Faith

Xavier High School is a faith community founded on belief in God as expressed through Catholic teaching and practice. We are persons of conscience who foster in adults and students alike, a strong moral sense which flows from our determination to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

1.      We address the spiritual dimension of students and adults, as well as their growth in the physical, intellectual, and social areas of life. Students of all faiths participate in religion courses and religious services as a way to enhancing their own spirituality. 

2.      We provide time and space for retreats aimed at growth in personal spirituality. We gather as a community at liturgies which celebrate major feast days and important occasions throughout the school year. We provide an opportunity for daily Mass. We begin the school day as well as many individual classes with prayer.

3.      Faculty and students are involved as facilitators of retreats as well as participants.

4.      We provide four years of instruction in religious education and the moral values which flow from our faith commitment.

5.      Our Campus Ministry Office works full-time to sponsor, coordinate, and evaluate the religious activities of the school.

D. Service

Xavier High School is a community characterized by compassionate service. We are aware of an respond to the social issues which arise in our urban environment as well as within our school. 

1.      Students engage in service-oriented activities such as Big Brothers, Peer Tutoring, National Honor Society, and Students Against Substance Abuse. 

2.      Sophomores engage in community service work as part of their religious education curriculum. Juniors do research on community service agencies. Seniors perform 72 hours of community service and participate in a series of reflection sessions as a prerequisite for graduation.

3.      Our Guidance Department addresses issues of social consciousness, and we employ the services of a full-time Social Worker for referral of family or other issues. 

4.      Our religious education curriculum emphasizes the need for all to live out their faith in their daily lives as "men and women for others."