Xavier High School (New York City) - History

History

Xavier challenges students and teaches students to think critically and to live a life "for others." Though tuition has risen in recent years, a substantial percentage of the cost for each student's education is covered by donations from alumni.

Xavier has maintained its Jesuit and academic traditions despite significant changes during its history. Service in the JROTC unit, which began at the school in 1884 and became mandatory in 1935, was declared optional in 1971. In 2004, Xavier announced the appointment of Dr. Joseph Gerics as the first lay headmaster in the school's history, following former headmaster Fr. David S. Ciancimino's appointment as Socius to the Jesuit Provincial for the New York Province. In 2006, Mr. Michael LiVigni replaced Dr. Gerics as the school's second lay headmaster.

The Ignatian identity of the school has been affected by the declining number of Jesuits at the school. Xavier's lay faculty have consistently renewed themselves to the mission of Ignatian Spirituality, contributing to an increase in the number of students able to intelligently articulate the school's mission.

On June 25, 2007, Father Daniel J. Gatti, S.J. '59, announced the end of his unprecedented 12-year term as Xavier's 32nd President. On Friday, January 4, 2008, the Board of Trustees announced that Francis J. Morison '58 was elected as interim president. He was to assume office on August 1, 2008, but, due to health concerns, was unable to assume the presidency. Morison died in February 2010. With the permission of his superiors, Fr. Gatti was allowed to remain in the office of president. On June 17, 2009, the Board of Trustees announced that John R. Raslowsky II would succeed Fr. Gatti. Mr. Raslowsky assumed office on July 1 of that year.