Chaminade is a leader among the eighteen Marianist secondary schools in the United States. Our administrators and faculty play integral roles in promoting the Marianist charism through their participation in the national Marianist community. Here are just some of the ways in which Chaminade is a unique school:
Academic Excellence
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- Our student-teacher ratio is 10:1 and our average class size is 18 students.
- Chaminade has a highly qualified faculty with over 70% of our teachers holding graduate or Doctoral degrees.
- Our teachers average 19 years of experience with 12 of those years at Chaminade.
- More than 35 college credit courses are offered including 21 Advanced Placement courses.
- Curriculum is well-planned, challenging, diverse and age-appropriate.
Faith and Spiritual Development
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- Students are required to complete community service hours every year. Our students contributed over 27,000 hours during the 2008-09 school year.
- Students attend retreats annually including the Emmaus retreat junior year and the Kairos retreat senior year.
- Students take required theology classes every year with courses meeting both St. Louis Archdiocesan guidelines and National Catholic Educators Association (NCEA) guidelines.
- Students attend Mass frequently and say prayers at the beginning of every class.
- While over 80% of our students are Catholic, we accept students of all faiths.
Technology
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- Chaminade is the first St. Louis school to introduce laptop and wireless laptop learning.
- Chaminade is the first St. Louis school to operate a certified IBM Laptop Repair Center.
- Our website is designed to enhance communication between the school, parents and students.
Experiential Education
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- Exchange programs with schools in England and Australia help students experience foreign cultures.
- Academic expeditions to global locations such as France, Spain, Italy and Russia are available.
- Credit-based summer learning experience in the Rocky Mountains is offered annually.
- Academic tours to Washington, D.C. the Grand Tetons, a working Iowa farm, Chicago and other areas are held annually.
The House System
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- Chaminade is one of a few schools throughout the U.S. to implement a House System.
- It provides a group of significant adults, Mentor, Deans and House Counselor, who help in the formation of each student.
- The House System enhances school spirit and unity.
- It creates expectation of servant leadership for all students and helps to establish bonds among students of all ages.
Diversity
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- Our resident program hosts over 50 U.S. and international students and is the only Catholic school resident program in the area.
- Our day students reside in over 65 zip codes throughout the area.
- Chaminade was one of the first St. Louis Catholic schools to employ a full time Diversity Director.
- Almost 15% of our students are minority students.
Athletics
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- Chaminade offers 64 different teams in 17 different sports.
- Offering many teams allows most of our students to play two or three sports.
- While our students are required to take a physical education class, we do not require students to participate in athletics.
- Chaminade has won recent district, conference, regional or state titles in football, soccer, cross country, water polo, basketball, hockey, wrestling, track & field, golf, lacrosse, baseball, bowling, volleyball and tennis. Chaminade's basketball and volleyball teams are 2009 state champions.
- Athletic facilities include an all-weather track, football stadium, 2 gymnasiums, Olympic-sized indoor pool, 8 tennis courts, soccer complex, baseball diamonds and multiple practice fields.
Band Program
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- Attained superior (“I”) ratings consistently for the past 25 years at state and regional competitions.
- Over ten different ensembles offered including concert bands, jazz bands, jazz combos, percussion ensembles and pep band.
- Every band performs three concerts annually, in addition to performing at school assemblies and athletic events.
- Over 200 students participate in our music program with beginning level courses available to all students.
- Two full time instructors and percussion specialist teach band curriculum.
Theatrical Arts
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- Our middle school and high school produce full length plays twice per year.
- An all-school musical is produced at least once per academic year.
- Professional choreographers and music directors from the community assist and instruct students on productions.
- Full-time award winning Drama Director works professionally in the area as a director and actress.
- Students attend the MO State Thespian Conference and the International Fringe Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Facilities & Services
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- Our extensive 55-acre campus is located just one mile north of Highway 40 (I-64) on Lindbergh Blvd. in Creve Coeur.
- Our award-winning food service provides three meals daily for all students in our student dining room, Café Moe.
- Ancillary services include the Immaculate Conception Chapel, a snack bar, nurse’s office (full-time registered nurse on campus), bookstore, Campus Ministry Center, and multiple student organization offices.
Parents
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- Our Mothers’ Club provides extensive volunteer opportunities for involvement with events including a fashion show, mom-son service day, and other events.
- Our Fathers’ Club also provides volunteer opportunities for involvement with events including a golf tournament, father-son banquet, Christmas tree lot, and other activities.
- Parents volunteer for our annual auction which nets almost $250,000 for various programs.
- Parent clubs are very flexible with parents who work – volunteer for the activities you can attend.
Alumni
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- Over 6,000 students have graduated from Chaminade.
- Our graduates enter numerous fields ranging from medicine and law to education and business.
- Many of our graduates donate to our Annual Giving campaigns each year. These gifts help to improve the campus and to lower tuition.
- Our alumni help our students through service projects, leadership training, internships, coaching and other ways.
Financial Aid/Need-based Tuition Assistance
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- Over $1.4 million in need-based tuition assistance has been awarded for the 2008-2009 school year.
- Academic scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 are available with some scholarships being renewable.
- Almost 25% of our student body (over 200 students) receives need-based tuition assistance with grants ranging from $250 to over 50% of tuition.
- Extensive tuition assistance is available through scholarships, work-study, direct grants and student loan programs.
There are many more ways in which Chaminade is unique – call 314-692-6640 to schedule a family tour or shadow visit, or email admissions@chaminade-stl.com for more information!