Salpointe Catholic High School

Admissions decisions are made on the basis of information provided on several application forms, recommendations, transcripts, and a personal interview.[5]

The admissions process starts in the fall of each year,[6] before a student intends to enroll at Salpointe. Several important admissions-related events are held at Salpointe including Open House[7] and Step Up Day.[8]

Transfer and mid-year applications are accepted for consideration throughout the year.[9]

The administration of the school consists of nine members headed by the President. Answering to the President are the Principal, Director of Operations, the Director of Athletics, the Director of Campus Ministry, the Assistant Principal for Faculty Development and Supervision, Assistant Principal for Student Services, the Director of Counseling and the Director of Advancement.[10]

The Board of Members consists of the members of the Provincial Council of the Society of Mount Carmel of Illinois (the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province of the Carmelite Order). Members serve for a term of three years.

The purpose, philosophy, and mission of Salpointe Catholic are the responsibility of the Board of Members. They also select and terminate the president of the school and the slate of candidates for principal. Certain financial measures require the approval of the Board of Members as well as any changes to the Articles of Incorporation and changes in the bylaws.[11]

The Board of Directors is a committee of up to 18 members serving as the policy-making body for the school. Membership consists of up to four representatives of the Carmelite community and at least 10 members of the community at large. As trustees for the Carmelite Order, this board oversees the administration of the school, makes policies affecting all areas of school operations, oversees its financial well-being, and plans extensively for the future.[12]

Salpointe offers a four-year program with seven classes per year for all students. Salpointe curriculum requirements for the class of 2022 included four credits in English, four credits in Mathematics, four credits in Theology, three credits in Science, three credits in Social Studies, two credits in the same World Language, half a credit in Exercise Science, one credit in Fine Arts, a half credit Technology, and four credits in electives. Twenty-six credits are required to graduate.[13] The student/teacher ratio is 15:1. The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools named Salpointe the first college preparatory school in Southern Arizona in 1987 because of its cumulative college prep curriculum. Salpointe was the third school in the state to receive this classification following Brophy and Xavier High Schools in Phoenix.[14][15] The school is also certified by the Western Catholic Educational Association.

A selection of students from Salpointe's graduating class of 2015

All courses are college-preparatory. Humanities, Advanced Placement and honors courses are offered. Salpointe has a high school to college conversion rate of 95%. 245 students in the Class of 2015 were admitted to 175 colleges, universities and military academies. 80% matriculated to four-year institutions, 15% matriculated to two-year institutions and 5% selected military service or work. 56% of seniors participated in varsity athletics and all 24 athletic teams averaged a 3.5 GPA or higher.[14][16]

The Humanities program is a challenging two-year program offered to highly motivated students, featuring Advanced Placement and Honors courses. Established in 1978, the program provides an integrated, interdisciplinary, multi-cultural approach needed by students to actively take part in their communities and a complex global universe. Students in the Humanities program are required to partake in the Humanities Project, a culmination of coursework across all classes. All final placements in Humanities require department approval. This program fulfills English, History, Theology and Fine Arts requirements for graduation.[17]

Salpointe's Robotics Class as part of their STEM Center

In 2015, Salpointe opened their Cracchiolo Family Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Center. The 8,000 square-foot building was part of a $12 million capital campaign that also funded a new athletics complex and student center. The STEM center focuses on engineering, robotics and biotechnology and includes a 3D printer, a biomedical lab, classrooms and outdoor work spaces.[18] Salpointe's STEM program is one of the first integrated STEM high school curricula in Southern Arizona.[19]

As of 2016, the courses offered in the STEM program include Engineering 102, Engineering Fundamentals, Intermediate Robotics, Mechanical Engineering and Design, Advanced Robotics, Biotechnology, and Environmental Engineering.[19]

In addition to widely notable athletics, Salpointe's drama department is recognized by the Arizona State Thespian Board, and has been invited to perform school productions on the "main stage" at the Arizona State Thespian festival.[20] In 2012, Salpointe was the first-ever Southern Arizona school to receive state selection of a one-act performance to be performed at a national level.[21]

In 2013, Salpointe's drama students, with their production Cash on Delivery, were invited to perform in front of thousands of their peers at the State Thespian Festival, under the direction of Dana Milne, the school's Director of Fine Arts.[22]

Salpointe also has a band and orchestra, which have, on multiple occasions, been featured on a local Tucson, Arizona-based news station, for their weekly "wake up call".[23] In 2016, one of Salpointe's brass musicians, Alexander Melnychuck, was included as part of the GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session and GRAMMY in the Schools Media Team.[24]

The Instrumental Music program has undergone changes since 2019 with the coming of a new director, Jim Howell, Salpointe alumnus of 1991. The ensembles available to students include Jazz Band, a zero hour course dedicated to the history behind jazz as well as playing pieces from throughout the history of jazz, and learning fundamental jazz theorems. Drum Line, a class dedicated to the playing of marching-style drums that coincides with the Lancer Marching Band. In Drum Line, students learn drum rudiments, as well cadences in preparation for athletic events and assemblies. Concert Band, where students can learn music history and play exciting and challenging arrangements in the traditional concert-ensemble style. Orchestra, where students can play any of the traditional orchestral instruments and delve into the history behind each piece. Marching Band, an after school class period where students play their instruments to support the Salpointe sport teams, learn fundamentals of marching, and compete against other schools in Southern Arizona, all whilst excelling through and showcasing their musical talents. All performing music courses offered at Salpointe offer units in music theory, scale theory, and complex understandings of rhythm.

in 2019, Salpointe implemented the Aspire Capital Project, an 11-million-dollar fundraising campaign with focuses on academics, arts, and athletics.

The new Stearns Center for the Arts features the Ginny L. Clements Dance Studio, Czarina and Humberto S. Lopez Visual Arts Rooms;,Pocono Music Room, Foundation Choir Room, Stevens Art Gallery, Carmelite Plaza, and the Helena S. Corcoran Theater.

The renovation of four multipurpose learning spaces and two digital educational classrooms also took place, including the Tim and Jane Garigan Room 411, Mike and Gracie Quiroz Marum Room 424 and Ashton Expansion of the STEM Patio.

The renovation of existing facilities meets the needs of 85% of Lancers who participate in extracurricular activities: Kalil Family Gymnasium including the Pat Sniezek Wall of Champions and Rev. Msgr. John Lyons Bistro, Stevens Strength and Conditioning Center, Michael Geddes Wrestling Facility, Alumni Hall, as well as installation of lights on the baseball, softball and track fields.[25]

(sung to the melody of the Notre Dame Victory March)[27]

We're going to tell you something tonight,

About the team that you're going to fight,

We're the Lancers, Salpointe High,

If we don't win we're willing to try!

Out on the field we're ready to fight (FIGHT!)

We're going to fight with full force and might (MIGHT!)

Win or lose we'll stick together,

Onward to victory!

Lancers, Lancers, Let's Take State!

Under the guidance of the Carmelites, Salpointe has developed an active campus ministry. Students are encouraged to attend a number of retreats throughout their time at Salpointe, culminating in the Kairos retreat experience during their junior or senior year.[28] Students at Salpointe also attend periodic all-school mass, worshipping the Holy Trinity under the direction of the school chaplain, Fr. Emanuel Franco Gomez O. Carm.

In addition to routine academic counseling and schedule management, the school counselors are actively engaged in helping students mature in their decision-making, values clarification, and interpersonal relationships.[29] Salpointe's Counseling and Guidance Department has undertaken a number of novel initiatives in recent years such as the Community of Concern[30] program. The Community of Concern committee sponsors annual forums to inform parents about medical, legal, criminal and social aspects of drug and alcohol abuse.[31]

Salpointe has implemented an anonymous tip-line to report suspected drug use.[32] The school has also established a mandatory drug testing program to screen every student at least one time during the school year for drug use.[33]