Ignatian Scholars Program Welcomes New Academic Year With Revamped Curriculum

The Ignatian Scholars Program counts among its ranks some of the best and brightest of Xavier High School. This selective program accepts entering freshmen who have excelled academically in middle school, scored in the highest percentiles on their standardized exams and on the Xavier Scholarship Exam, and have submitted a qualifying application with excellent recommendations. Students who elect to participate continue through their sophomore year, and throughout they engage in a wealth of academic and cultural enrichment activities, from nights at the New York City Ballet to tours of the Rare Book Room of the legendary Strand Book Store. 

This year, Mr. Patrick Mahon ’04, Director of the Ignatian Scholars Program, has revamped the program’s curriculum and requirements to further encourage continued learning and growth. Participating freshmen and sophomores are now required to attend a minimum of two field trips throughout the academic year, as well as two Xavier alumni discussion panels held exclusively for Ignatian Scholars. In addition, members must compose a reflection paper for each event they attend. As a replacement for attending the field trip or discussion panel, students may elect to conduct an independent study, to examine a topic of his choosing in considerable depth, which would be then presented to his peers. The purpose of this, Mr. Mahon believes, is “to challenge the Ignatian Scholars not just in the classroom, but from an extracurricular component. Through this, students will be well-equipped to develop a love of learning and foster an atmosphere of continued intellectual development.”

The Ignatian Scholars had their first alumni discussion panel of the year on October 14. The first speaker of the discussion series was Xavier alumnus Mr. Karol Kurzatkowski ’06, who, having recently graduated from law school, now works as a tax attorney for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. Mr. Kurzatkowski fondly reminisced about his time at Xavier and how his coursework and extracurricular activities primed him for future success. Their next discussion will be held in January, led by Mr. Stephen Winter ’04, the vice president of commercial leasings for Related Companies. Their first field trip, meanwhile, will be to the New York Historical Society on Veterans Day for an exhibit entitled “New York and the Civil War.”

Freshman Marc-Anthony Maquiling ’18 is an Ignatian Scholar who attended the first discussion panel and also plans to attend the New York Historical Society trip along with his peers. Only a month into his time at Xavier, he has already seen the benefits of the new pgoram. “The discussion panel gave a terrific insight into how Xavier changes peoples’ lives and builds a foundation for the future,” Marc said. “I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year, holds.”  

For more information on the Ignatian Scholars Program, please consult the below brochure, visit the Xavier admissions website, or contact the Admissions Office at Admissions@xavierhs.org.