This is a blog to share with others my experiences at Xavier College Preparatory and to show what a great school it really is through the eyes of an Alumni. This will help those looking for a good high school, especially those people who have just moved to Arizona. I would encourage people to visit the school in order to get a greater appreciation for what is has to offer.
Xavier College Preparatory was founded Phoenix, Arizona in 1943 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
"Girls' schools provide an environment that not only is good in and of itself, but that in its redefinition of competitiveness and collaboration, of autonomy and connectedness, presents a model that other schools do well to emulate." Dr. David Riesman, Harvard University
When people are trying to send their teenage daughters to a high school, they want to make sure she is getting the best education there is, in order to build a bright future for her. Xavier College Preparatory is a school that can do just that by giving young women knowledge, integrity, and skills that will help them throughout society. Xavier College Preparatory is an all girls, Roman Catholic High School, that greatly prepares students for the future and the real world. I think many parents would find that sending their daughter to Xavier College Preparatory would be a great decision.
The criteria that I chose to base Xavier College Preparatory off of was the people who attend and are affiliated with the school, the faith, the education and discipline enforced, and the large amount of activities and sports offered. All of these criterion are important characteristics to consider when looking for a good school to visit and consider attending.
The criteria that I chose to base Xavier College Preparatory off of was the people who attend and are affiliated with the school, the faith, the education and discipline enforced, and the large amount of activities and sports offered. All of these criterion are important characteristics to consider when looking for a good school to visit and consider attending.
MY EXPERIENCE:
My name is Tiffany Aja and in the Fall of 2007, I began my high school experience at Xavier College Preparatory. I was extremely nervous because I had no idea what to expect of high school. I was not only afraid of entering high school, but entering an all girl high school. It was so overwhelming walking into school the first day having to face a ton of girls, new teachers who I didn’t know, and a ton of new rules. Once I finished my first day of high school I went home feeling happy about my new school and excited about the different experiences that I was about to encounter.
I knew that my parents sent me to Xavier for a reason and that reason was because it was one of the best schools in the nation and many people had good things to say about it. Walking around the campus you see a ton of girls in their Xavier skirts, shirts, and the occasional sweatshirt (when it wasn’t scorching hot out). Every girl’s shirt must be tucked in or else you could get in trouble by a teacher. At lunch time there were girls all over campus eating their lunches as there was no cafeteria.
Xavier recently expanded a lot and built a brand new cafeteria and many more classrooms. They expanded parking and even added their own sports field. With the expansion it leaves for a lot more space for everyone and it makes Xavier look even nicer.
I knew that my parents sent me to Xavier for a reason and that reason was because it was one of the best schools in the nation and many people had good things to say about it. Walking around the campus you see a ton of girls in their Xavier skirts, shirts, and the occasional sweatshirt (when it wasn’t scorching hot out). Every girl’s shirt must be tucked in or else you could get in trouble by a teacher. At lunch time there were girls all over campus eating their lunches as there was no cafeteria.
Xavier recently expanded a lot and built a brand new cafeteria and many more classrooms. They expanded parking and even added their own sports field. With the expansion it leaves for a lot more space for everyone and it makes Xavier look even nicer.
PEOPLE/FAITH:
Xavier College Preparatory allowed for me to make sisterly bonds with many young women. I had been able to make many new friends who had the same interests and beliefs that I grew up knowing my whole life. Being part of a Catholic community made it easy for everyone to be open about their faith, whether they were Catholic or not. I was able to learn a lot more about my faith and was able to talk about many things that I would not have been able to if I went to a public school. In the beginning of each class we started off with a prayer or reflection. In each class we were able to relate something that we were learning about to our faith and openly talk about it. It helped me to grow as a person and really learn to understand what being a Catholic really meant. Xavier allowed for me to learn a lot about myself as a woman, a Catholic, and as a person of society. I not only learned about myself, but I learned a lot about my classmates and got to know some girls that I never thought I would on a more deeper level. This made me appreciate all the girls I went to school with.
This photo above displays a great bond between a number of girls that have learned and grown together over the years.
EDUCATION/DISCIPLINE:
Although Xavier had a ton of rules, sometimes extremely ridiculous, it taught me discipline and taught me a lot about boundaries and limits. I think that all of the rules made me a more respectful woman and without them I could be running wild and not listening to anything anyone told me. Some of the rules consisted of always having your shirt tucked in, only wearing pink/red shades of nail polish, not being able to lay in the grass, and only having one ear piercing, etc.
I was not only taught discipline, but I was able to learn a lot in the many classes that Xavier College Preparatory had to offer. They had a wide range of courses that they had to offer from Sciences and Social Studies to Music and Theater Arts. In all of these classes you were guaranteed to learn a lot about each subject and topic that was supposed to be covered. The teachers were highly qualified to teach the subjects they specialized in and most of these administrators hold a Masters Degree or higher. These teachers provide an environment that encourages you to learn and drive for excellence. I was able to choose from a wide range of classes that would keep my interest and make sure that I would succeed.
One of my classmates named Jill Wynn, National Honor Society President, stated that, “The best part of Xavier is the teachers. You know you are getting the best education when you are surrounded by students who care about learning, and teachers who are passionate and have faith in their students. This environment inspires the drive for excellence that characterizes every student in, and out, of the classroom” ("Xavier college preparatory," 2012).
SPORTS/ACTIVITIES:
Xavier College Preparatory is not only known for its great discipline, excelling education, and fine arts but for its amazing athletics. When I was going to Xavier sports was a huge deal for everyone. The sports ranged from volleyball and basketball to tennis and soccer. Everyone would always support all of our very competitive and dedicated athletes. The energy and support that the entire school and community gave was amazing. This is a big factor for many students as a lot of women want to be athletes. I myself did not play any sports because I felt that they were too competitive for me to handle, but I always went to sporting events in order to support my friends and school.
Although I was not on any athletic team, there were still plenty of ways for me to get involved. Xavier offers so many clubs and activities for people of all interests. I myself was part of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Recycling Club, and many more. They have a wide range of activities to participate in and great ways for everyone to stay involved. There are not only ways for the students to get involved, but the parents as well.
This photo above shows Xavier’s Theater program in action
In order to get more information on Xavier College Preparatory you can visit their website at:
http://www.xcp.org/page.aspx?pid=315
Xavier College Preparatory 4710 North Fifth Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85012 | P. 602.277.3772 F. 602.279.1346
Xavier College Preparatory 4710 North Fifth Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85012 | P. 602.277.3772 F. 602.279.1346
REFERENCE: Xavier college preparatory roman catholic high school. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.xcp.org/page.aspx?pid=315
