Catholic Memorial High School (Waukesha, Wisconsin)

Infobox Secondary school
name = Catholic Memorial High School

motto = "Caritas in Omnibus
established = 1949
type = Private Catholic High School
grades = 9-12
students = 775
faculty = 80
city = Waukesha
state = Wisconsin
country = USA
oversight = Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee
principal = Dr. Mark Schmitt
president = Very Reverend Paul Hartmann
mascot = Crusader
colors = Royal Blue and Gold
wiaa conference = Classic 8 Conference
yearbook = "The Knight"
newspaper =
website = [http://www.catholicmemorial.net Website]

Catholic Memorial High School (or CMH) is a coeducational Catholic high school in Waukesha, Wisconsin established in 1949 and a member of the National Catholic Educational Association.

History

Catholic Memorial High School was founded out of the dream of visionaries in the Waukesha County area. In the early 1920s, St. Joseph's Parish raised funds of $10,000 for a future high school. Their goal of providing a high quality Catholic education for the area's youth remained strong and unwavering--not even the great Depression could shake their determination.

This fervent hope became reality in 1949 when CMH opened its doors as a parochial school for St. Joseph Parish in Waukesha. Ninety-seven freshmen started attending classes in September of that year.The Sisters left CMH in June 2002.

During the first ten years of its existence, enrollment at CMH grew to more than 500 (the stated capacity of the original building). In 1959, it became an Archdiocesan high school for the parishes of Waukesha County. An addition was completed for use which included more classrooms, a cafeteria, and the first gym. A gift from a will made by Stephen Weber more than 40 years earlier was given to the school. [This gift remains the school's largest donation. Subsequently, the original 1961 gym was named to honor Stephen's mother, Julia Weber.] This phase also included needed repairs on the original building, two computer labs, and a renovated theater. During this effort, the theater's stage was named "The Grasch Family Stage," in gratitude for a generous gift.

Throughout its history, the school's Catholic mission of educating the whole person has remained constant and unshakable. CMH provides young people with an academically strong education and an awareness of their own self-worth and that of others.

International Baccalaureate Program

CMH has also achieved academic success with its International Baccalaureate (or IB) program, which is only offered to juniors and seniors. This program is the most widely recognized pre-university educational program in the world and is looked highly upon by universities for its rigor. The program was introduced in 2005. In 2007, 29 seniors received the International Baccalaureate Diploma. In addition, many other students received International Baccalaureate certificates. The IB program helps develop critical thinking, time management, organizational skills, writing skills, interdisciplinary study, and speaking skills. In addition, all UW-system schools-and most other schools-accept IB scores for credit. Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays may be used for college applications and scholarship applications, and the service component of the program deepens the extracurricular experience of each student.

The International Baccalaureate program is designed to serve the learning needs of all students. IB promotes classes that are inclusive and receptive to many different learning styles.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma program is a credential that students earn after successfully completing assessments in six curricular areas, writing an extended essay, completing the Theory of Knowledge assessments, and many other tasks which render them with no life. Students who achieve at least 24 total points out of the 45 available points in assessment will be awarded an IB Diploma. The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) component is an interdisciplinary requirement intended to stimulate critical reflection on knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom. TOK is taken by seniors.

Catholic Memorial has made great efforts to make the IB Diploma available to all students and picks up the student's expenses for pursuing an IB Diploma (approximately $700) with funds from corporations and foundations interested in supporting the highest level of academic achievement. The Class of 2007 had great success in the IB program. Many say that it was a great experience and prepared them well for college.

Athletics

The name "Crusaders" was first used for Catholic Memorial students by a former sports editor of "The Waukesha Freeman". The definition, "those who fight for a just cause," The title of the yearbook, The Knight, is related to the Crusader name.

Catholic Memorial is a member of the Classic 8 Conference.

Catholic Memorial offers baseball, basketball, cross country, downhill ski racing, fencing, football, golf, hockey, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and poms.

This year's Catholic Memorial boys downhill ski racing team placed 4th overall at state this year, 4th at conference, and will have an even stronger team next year. The girls team also qualified for the conference race.

In June 2007, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal rated Catholic Memorial's athletic program as being the second best in the Milwaukee area.

In 2000 Girls' Varsity Soccer won the National Championship and Coach John Burke was named National Girls' High School Coach of the Year. Star Player Leslie Osborne (Class of '01) went on to play for the USA Women's World Cup team, and eventually ended up scoring on her own goal. Matt Katula, also a 2000 alumnus, is a NFL player with the Baltimore Ravens.

Bill Affeldt (Class of '58) was a star 50m sprinter for Carroll College. and over the years succeeded to the top of the 50m hall of fame

Jennifer Bennett (Class of '89) was one of the head referees for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.

In 1988, Jerry Schumacher (Class of '88) went on to continue his success in cross country and track at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Now, he is currently coaching the Badgers through what is perhaps the most dominant era by one school in Big Ten cross country history. As a badger, he was a three-time All-American and three-time All-Big Ten selection in cross country and track at Wisconsin from 1988-1993 and helped the Badgers to three consecutive Big Ten Championships in cross country and three top-10 NCAA finishes. UW finished second, third and ninth while Schumacher was a member of the team. At the NCAA Championships in 2005, Schumacher led the Badgers to the 2005 NCAA cross country title.

Coach William Young, the school's Varsity Football Coach, has won the most games of any coach in the Classic 8 Conference.

Extra-Curriculars

The school also offers many extra-curriculars. They include: Business Club, Pro-Life Club, Darfur Relief Project, Drama, Forensics, Math League, Science Bowl, National Honor Society, Peer Mentors, Latin Club, Rosary Club, Rugby, Student Council, Service Club, Student Ambassadors, Operation Michael (Homelessness Awareness), S.E.A.S., Newspaper.

External links
* [http://www.catholicmemorial.net/ School Site]
* [http://www.cmh2000.com/ Year 2000 Alumni]