Archbishop Stepinac High School - History

History

Archbishop Stepinac High School opened in 1948 with a capacity of 1,360 students. It began with freshman and sophomore years and reached its full complement in 1950. The school was established subsequent to fundraising by the Catholic parishes of Westchester County, under the leadership of Cardinal Francis Spellman (Archbishop of New York) and the educational officials of the Archdiocese. The initial purpose of the school was to establish a full educational program with a diversity of subject choices leading to a well-rounded student. In addition to the college preparatory program it offered a general course for boys who wanted to finish their education with high school and enter a trade. Boys were taught by an all-male faculty, almost entirely religious in makeup. In its early years the administration of the school was in the hands of diocesan priests, assisted by religious brothers and an occasional layman. Students from the school were used as extras in the 1972 film Child's Play directed by Sidney Lumet.