With classes in Mandarin, overseas trips to China and France, bus transportation for commuters and individualized fitness instruction that includes salsa and tai chi, new students at St. Genevieve High School quickly come to realize things are a bit different at this Panorama City campus.
A recent daylong pep rally celebrating 157 incoming freshmen that featured singing, dance routines, speeches and a pancake breakfast served by upper classmen sealed the deal.
A decade ago, St. Genevieve, too, was on the precipice before officials set about changing the nature of the school with fresh ideas that are now being replicated by other Catholic campuses. The school is well-known for its character-education curriculum instituted by Principal Daniel Horn, but it is also gaining recognition for a theater arts program that puts on two full orchestra plays each year.
And though 10 years ago only about 35 percent of St. Genevieve graduates went to college, last year’s college enrollment was 100 percent, with 65 percent of students entering four-year universities.
The school this year had a waiting list for its freshman class and saw overall enrollment increase 13 percent from last year, with a current enrollment of 565 students. It is the only school in the Los Angeles Archdiocese with a bus system, picking up students from four areas in Los Angeles, including one stop near Daniel Murphy Catholic High School, an urban campus that closed at the end of May because of financial and enrollment pressures.
Discussion Starters
1.) Frequently, by giving people more privileges, they take advantage of them. Why do you think providing more opportunities and greater freedoms seems to be working at this Catholic high school?
2.) Principal Daniel Horn took risks in order to steer this school in a different direction. What are the circumstances of which you would have to be assured before you would be willing to take a risk, or before a risk seemed like a wise choice?
3.) Has anyone ever risked anything for your sake or granted you privileges beyond your expectations? How did that make you feel? What have you been willing to do in return for those who demonstrate their belief in you?
