Jesuit High School is a private Roman Catholic college-preparatory school for boys in grades eight through twelve. It is located in the Mid-City neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana, and is operated by the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits).

The school was founded in 1847 as the College of the Immaculate Conception. In 1911, the school became a separate secondary institution when the college division relocated and later developed into Loyola University New Orleans. Jesuit High School was moved to a new location in 1926.

History

Founding and early history

The College of the Immaculate Conception was founded in 1847 and opened in 1849. It functioned as both a secondary school and a college. It was located in the Faubourg Sainte Marie neighborhood of New Orleans (now the New Orleans Central Business District), near the French Quarter. The opening of the school was delayed by the 1849 yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans. The school's founder, Jean Baptiste Maisunabe, S.J., succumbed to the disease and was succeeded by John Cambiaso, S.J., who helped oversee the construction and development of the Church of the Immaculate Conception which still stands at the site of the original campus.

Move to Carrollton & Banks

In 1911, the high school and college divisions were split. The college division (now Loyola University New Orleans) relocated to St. Charles Avenue. The Jesuit High School remained on Baronne Street until 1926, when it was moved to its current location at 4133 Banks Street in Mid-City.

Several additions and renovations have been made to the campus since 1926. In 1953, a wing was added along Palmyra Street, which included an auditorium, the Chapel of the North American Martyrs, a cafeteria, a library, several classrooms, and a band room. In 1957, a gym and recreation center were built across Banks Street to support athletic teams and physical education programs. Further renovations were made to the school after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

After Hurricane Maria impacted Puerto Rico in 2017, Jesuit hosted students from Colegio San Ignacio in Puerto Rico.

The mascot is a blue jay posed with its fists raised, designed by cartoonist Walt Kelly. A contest among students was held to name the mascot in 1954, with the name "Jayson" chosen by the editors of the school paper.

The school’s colors are blue and white, traditionally associated with the Virgin Mary in Catholic symbolism. Student athletes wear a white sweater with a blue letter "J" on it and were referred to as the "Blue J's"—hence the eventual selection of the mascot. As with many Jesuit schools, the school's motto is Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam ("For the Greater Glory of God"). He was succeeded by Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. In November 2016, Fr. Chris Fronk, S.J. assumed office as the school's president. In January 2020, Fr. Chris Fronk, S.J., stepped down as school president. Fr. John Brown, S.J. became the next president in 2020.

The principal in 2023 was Jeremy Reuther.

History of sexual abuse

There have been several instances of child sexual abuse at the school. Multiple lawsuits have alleged sexual abuse by priests, employees, and administrators associated with the school, including incidents reported to have occurred on campus. The Jesuit order confirmed that at least fourteen priests assigned to Jesuit High were accused of sexual abuse.

The school has paid undisclosed settlements to victims and their families. In 2019, a lawsuit against the school's administration accused the school of knowingly hiring a convicted pedophile as head janitor in the 1980s.

In 2018, Jesuit High School president Fr. Chris Fronk, S.J. said he was "horrified" by the sexual abuse at the school dating back to the "disgusting time in our history" of the 1970s.

Notable alumni

In a 1978 article in The Atlantic, James K. Glassman wrote that "practically every white Orleanian of note went to Jesuit." Some notable alumni are:

In chronological order:

  • Larry Gilbert (Class of 1910), MLB player (Boston Braves)
  • Felix Edward Hebert (Class of 1920), U.S. Congressman (1940–1976)
  • Robert B. Landry (Class of 1927), United States military officer
  • Hap Glaudi
  • Clyde F. Bel, Jr. (Class of 1951), businessman and state representative for Orleans Parish, 1964–1972 and 1975–1980
  • John R. Bourgeois (Class of 1951), served as the 25th director of The President’s Own Marine Band for 17 years.
  • Marv Breeding (Class of 1952), MLB player (Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators, Los Angeles Dodgers)
  • John Favalora (Class of 1954), Archbishop of Miami, Florida (1994–2010)
  • John Volz (Class of 1954), attorney for United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
  • Fred LeBlanc (Class of 1981), drummer and singer in rock band Cowboy Mouth
  • Will Clark (Class of 1982), Major League Baseball player, 6-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner
  • Fred Weller (Class of 1984), Broadway and television actor
  • Harry Connick, Jr. (Class of 1985), musician, recording artist, actor and television personality
  • Michael Smith (Class of 1989), former NFL wide receiver
  • Jay Duplass (Class of 1991), filmmaker
  • Cameron Henry (Class of 1992), business analyst and Louisiana state legislator
  • Patrick Mullins (Class of 2010), professional soccer player
  • Kyle Keller, (Class of 2011), MLB player, currently (Miami Marlins)
  • Deion Jones (Class of 2012), linebacker for LSU,
  • Tanner Lee (Class of 2013), quarterback for Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Foster Moreau (Class of 2015), tight end for LSU, selected in the fourth round (137th pick overall) in the 2019 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders

Notable students (attended but did not graduate)

  • Edward Douglass White (Class of 1865), Chief Justice of the United States
  • Alois "Al" Hirt ‘39, trumpeter and entertainer
  • Stephen Stills, guitar player with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

See also

  • List of Jesuit secondary schools in the United States

References

  • Jesuit High School website
  • Blue Jays vs. Tigers
  • Tour with Harry Connick