Mount Saint Charles Academy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Motto | Excelsior |
|---|---|
| Established | September 14, 1924 |
| Type | Parochial |
| Affiliation | Brothers of the Sacred Heart |
| President | Br. Robert R. Croteau, SC |
| Principal | Herve Richer |
| Students | 1000 (est) |
| Grades | 7-12 |
| Location | 800 Logee Street, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, United States |
| Oversight | Diocese of Providence |
| Accreditation | New England Association of Schools and Colleges |
| Campus | Suburban, 22 acres |
| Colors | Scarlet, Navy, and White |
| Mascot | Mounties |
| Yearbook | Excelsior |
| Newspaper | The Hilltopper |
| Website | www.mountsaintcharles.com |
Mount Saint Charles Academy is a private Catholic high school located in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence.
Contents |
[edit] History
The school was founded by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in 1924 in Woonsocket, which was a vibrant mill city during the Industrial Revolution and pre-World War II period. The school was originally an all male facility serving both commuters and boarders. The school quickly grew and expanded. Of particular note was the 1963 construction of the Brother Adelard ice hockey arena.
In the 1970s, the school was changed to a co-educational day school, serving students from grades 7-12. The school has twice been awarded the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, in 1993 and 2000. In the year 2000, a state of the art Performing Arts Center / Gymnasium was opened. In 2002 and 2003, all of the science labs were renovated. Another renovation project took place in the summer of 2007, which included two classrooms, the computer lab, server room, and tutoring center.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Bryan Berard, ice hockey player
- Brian Boucher, ice hockey player
- Ed Bradley, American journalist, 60 Minutes co-host (attended MSC)
- Keith Carney, ice hockey player
- Steven Dumaine, Principal Tubist, National Symphony Orchestra
- Jeff Jillson, ice hockey player
- Brian Lawton, ice hockey player
- Erik Per Sullivan, actor (left as sophomore)
- Mathieu Schneider, ice hockey player
- Garth Snow, ice hockey player
- Ben Mondor, Owner of Boston Red Sox AAA affiliate Pawtucket Red Sox
[edit] Sports
The school is perhaps best known for its ice hockey program, which is considered to be one of the best in the eastern United States[1]. The school captured the Rhode Island Class A State Hockey Championship each year from 1978 until 2003 and then again in 2008. . Over the years, a total of 19 alumni have been drafted by the NHL, a remarkable accomplishment for a small school in Rhode Island. Brian Lawton and Bryan Berard were drafted 1st overall in the NHL Entry Draft.
The current coach, Normand "Bill" Belisle, has a record of 806 wins, 129 losses, and 32 ties. There is also a book on the team called "Pride on the Mount: More Than A Game" by John Gillooly.
The school also won back to back Division II state titles in soccer 2004 and 2005.
Baseball has become the current elite sport at the school. With a regular season record of 20-1 in 2007, the varsity team captured its first Northern Division regular season championship since 1973. Unluckily though, the team suffered injuries in the playoffs to a few of its starters and were eliminated in the state quarterfinals.
In 2006, a documentary was created called "Ice Kings," which encompases the material covered in the book with insights from alumni and Coach Belisle.
Boys Volleyball has become another one of the Mounties' elite sports. The Mounties won back-to-back Division II State Championships in 2001 and 2002. Mount was quickly moved to Division I, but struggled for a few seasons. In 2007 the boys were moved back to Division II and continued their winning ways. In 2008 the boys were DII North Co-Division Champions with Scituate. Later the two Co-Champions met in the state finals where the Mounties retook the state crown winning 3-1.
[edit] Fine Arts
The school's renowned fine arts department includes Music, Art, and Theater/Drama departments. Organizations within these include the junior and senior bands, wind ensemble, junior and senior jazz bands, string ensemble, junior and senior chorus, junior drama club and class, senior drama club and class, and a junior and senior dance club. Each year the school holds a Fine Arts Day and a Meet the Fine Arts Department Night, where over 500 students can show their talents through singing, dancing, and their creativity. The music department also makes a week-long trip to Ireland every four years to F.C.J. Secondary School in Bunclody, County Wexford. The last trip was in April of 2007. On the off years, other trips are taken, such as the Toronto Music Festival. The Senior High Drama Club produces a play every year at the local Stadium Theatre.
[edit] Fine Arts Summer Camp
The school also provides a co-educational summer day program consisting of various classes in the fine arts. The program totals two weeks and is run by Mr. John Guevremont and Mr. Marc Blanchette. Assisting are counselors from the school, who are seniors, and counselors-in-training (CITs) of the school's junior class. Various local fine arts teachers are hired from around the area. The camp has two levels: the Intermediate, for children in grades four to six, and Secondary programs, for children in grades seven to ten.
