Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (BJPS) is a private college-preparatory school founded by the Jesuits and located on the northwest side of Indianapolis. It is a part of the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus and geographically located within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis. However, the school is not operated by the archdiocese of Indianapolis.[4]
| Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
2801 West 86th Street , 46268-1925 United States | |
| Coordinates | 39°54′37″N 86°12′35″W / 39.91028°N 86.20972°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private Roman Catholic college-preparatory school |
| Motto | Men and Women for Others[1] |
| Religious affiliation(s) | |
| Patron saint(s) | St. Jean de Brébeuf |
| Established | 1962 |
| President | Bill Verbryke |
| Principal | Greg VanSlambrook |
| Teaching staff | 73.1 (FTE)[2] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Enrollment | 873 (2022-23)[2] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 11.2:1[2] |
| Campus size | 65 acres |
| Color(s) | Maroon and Gold |
| Athletics conference | Circle City Conference |
| Mascot | Braves |
| Rival | St. Theodore Guerin High School |
| Accreditation | North Central Association of Colleges and Schools[3] |
| Publication |
|
| Newspaper | The Arrow |
| Yearbook | Totem |
| Website | brebeuf |
History
The school was the dream of Fr. William Schmidt, SJ. Ordained on June 16, 1943, at the Jesuit training center West Baden College, Fr. Schmidt returned to Indiana 16 years later to organize a Jesuit high school in Indianapolis. The school was formally established in 1962. The city and the Society of Jesus would both provide for Brebeuf Jesuit during its early years.
In 2019, Charles C. Thompson, the Archbishop of Indianapolis, stated that the school would no longer be entitled to identify as Catholic, because administrators disobeyed him when renewing the contract of a teacher in a same-sex marriage.[4] On September 23 of the same year, the Holy See temporarily suspended Thompson's decree.[5]
Demographics
The demographic breakdown of the 816 students enrolled for the 2020–2021 school year was:[6]
- Native American/Alaskan – 0%
- Hawaiian/Pacific islanders – 0.2%
- Asian - 4.4%
- Black/African American – 15.4%
- Hispanic – 6.4%
- White – 66.2%
- Multiracial – 7.4%
Of the above demographic, 0.5% of students have disabilities.
The graduations rates are some of the highest in the state, boasting 99.5% of students in attendance graduating within four years, with 80% of those earning honors.[7]
The student to teacher ratio is 11:1 as of 2020.[8]
Athletics
The school has 29 athletic teams, ranging from cross country to the newest addition, men's volleyball. In 2009, Brebeuf Jesuit completed construction of the $7 million Mark G. Kite Wellness Center.[9] The 42,000-square-foot (3,900 m2) facility houses two weight rooms, three locker rooms, team meeting rooms, training room, gym, and athletic offices.[10]
- 2000 boys' basketball state champs (3A)[11]
- 2004, 2007 girls' basketball state champs (3A)[11]
- 2010, 2011 boys' golf state champs[11]
- 2006 girls' golf state champs[11]
- 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984 girls' tennis state champs[11]
- 2003, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2021 girls' volleyball state champs[11]
- 1991 boys' hockey state champs (1A), 2001 boys' hockey state champs (2A), 2013 boys' hockey state champs (4A)
- 2021, 2022 boys' soccer state champs (2A)
- 2015 girls' soccer state champs (2A)[11]
Notable alumni
- J. Murray Clark (1975) – Former Indiana State Senator and former Chair of the Indiana Republican Party[12]
- Fred Glass (1977) – Indiana University Athletic Director and former partner at Baker and Daniels.[13]
- Radley Haddad (2008) - Baseball coach[14]
- Alan Henderson (1991) – Retired basketball player[15]
- Jay Higgins (2020) - Linebacker for the Iowa Hawkeyes[16]
- Christopher L. Hodapp (1977) – Author and filmmaker[17]
- Jim Hogshire (1976) – Author[18]
- James Marten (2002) – Retired American football player.[19]
- Ta'Shia Phillips (2007) – Retired basketball player [20]
- Kevin Sumlin (1982) – Football coach[21]
- John Daniel Tinder (1968) – Former Federal judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (2007–2015)[22]
- Jon Toth (2012) – NFL player
- Rasheed Newson (1997) – Author and TV producer[23]