Servite High School


title: "Servite High School" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["boys'-schools-in-california", "educational-institutions-established-in-1958", "catholic-secondary-schools-in-california", "catholic-preparatory-schools-in-california", "roman-catholic-diocese-of-orange", "servite-schools", "high-schools-in-anaheim,-california", "1958-establishments-in-california"] topic_path: "society/education" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servite_High_School" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox school"]

FieldValue
nameServite High School
imageServite High School Anaheim CA logo.jpg
imagesize150px
location1952 West La Palma Avenue
cityAnaheim
countyOrange County
stateCalifornia
zipcode92801
countryUSA
coordinates
typePrivate, All-Boys
mottoLatin**:** Credo ut Intelligam
religionRoman Catholic, Servites Order (OSM)
established1958
ceeb050-088
presidentStephen Walswick
principalNancy Windisch
grades912
genderBoys
enrollment751
enrollment_as_of2023–2024
avg_class_size21
ratio16:1
campus size15 acre
campus typeSuburban
colorsBlack, white and gold

| | song | Salve Regina | | conference | CIF Southern Section Trinity League | | mascot | Friar | | team_name | Friars | | rival | Mater Dei | | accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges | | newspaper | The Spokesman | | yearbook | The Story | | tuition | $20,945 (2025–26) | | website | | ::

| name = Servite High School | image = Servite High School Anaheim CA logo.jpg | imagesize = 150px | caption = | location = 1952 West La Palma Avenue | city = Anaheim | county = Orange County | state = California | zipcode = 92801 | country = USA | coordinates = | type = Private, All-Boys | motto = Latin**:** Credo ut Intelligam English**:** * I believe so I may understand* | religion = Roman Catholic, Servites Order (OSM) | established = 1958 | ceeb = 050-088 | president = Stephen Walswick | principal = Nancy Windisch | grades = 912 | gender = Boys | enrollment = 751 | enrollment_as_of = 2023–2024 | avg_class_size = 21 | ratio = 16:1 | campus size = 15 acre | campus type = Suburban | colors = Black, white and gold

| song = Salve Regina | conference = CIF Southern Section Trinity League | mascot = Friar | team_name = Friars | rival = Mater Dei | accreditation = Western Association of Schools and Colleges | newspaper = The Spokesman | yearbook = The Story | tuition = $20,945 (2025–26) | website = | picture =

Servite High School is a private, Catholic, all-boys college preparatory high school in Anaheim, California founded in 1958.

As of 2023, it enrolled 751 students and had nearly 10,000 alumni. While located within the Diocese of Orange, it is not a diocesan school; it is operated independently by the Order of Servants of Mary (OSM), also known as the Servite Order, after whom the school is named.

The schools is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA). In prep sports, it competes in the Trinity League of the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section (CIF SS). Its mascot is the Friar and its colors are black and white, trimmed with gold.

Academics

Servite's curriculum is designed so that its graduates meet entrance requirements for the University of California or California State University systems. The core curriculum including classes in English, fine arts, world languages, health and physical education, mathematics, theology, science, and social studies. Courses are designated as "College Preparatory," "Honors Placement," or "Advanced Placement" depending on their level of intellectual intensity.

The school's educational philosophy reflects the Catholic concept of formation, i.e. discovering and becoming the person God has intended one to be. The school motto Credo ut Intelligam ("I believe so I may understand") illustrates the emphasis the school places on developing leaders who are faith-filled men of God.

Since 2007, the student body has been grouped into eight student-led communities called "Priories," named after St. Philip Benizi and each of the Seven Holy Founders, and 48 smaller student-led homeroom communities. Each week, a block period is dedicated to student-led leadership activities. Additionally, students must perform 100 hours of "Christian service" over four years in order to graduate.

History

In 1957, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles invited the Servites to open a school. The school opened the following fall under principal Fr. Maurice Gillespie, OSM, who had previously served at St. Philip Basilica High School (closed 1970) in Chicago. As the academic buildings were not yet completed, some classes were taught at nearby St. Philip Benizi Elementary School, also operated by the Servites. The priory also being under construction, the priests lived on the second floor of the main building. The main building was officially dedicated by Cardinal McIntyre on February 12, 1959, the feast day of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order.

From early on the school developed a strong athletic tradition. Its inaugural football team, fielded in 1960 and consisting of all sophomores and juniors, was CIF Southern Section co-champion in the Small Schools division. Head football coach George Dena created Servite's Hut Drill in 1961, a choreographed formation drill performed at the start and end of every football game, and one of the school's most noted football traditions. The same year, Servite joined the newly formed Angelus League with other Catholic schools in Los Angeles and Orange Counties; Mater Dei in Santa Ana would become its principal football rival.

Major campus expansions include a gym and aquatics facilities (in 1967), theater (1977), new classrooms (1984), and new science and library facility (1998). Servite's wrestling room was also a recent addition to the school on the campus' priory lawn (2006). In 2016 and 2017, the school constructed a new baseball complex, practice fields, weight pavilion, and new aquatics complex.

In 2017, the new $5.7 million aquatics facility opened and was dedicated to Fr. Kevin Fitzpatrick, who had worked at the school from 1970 to 1992 as swim and water polo coach as well as an algebra and religion teacher. After the passage of California AB 218, which gave a three-year window to file allegations of child sexual abuse beyond the statute of limitations, a former student brought suit in 2022 against the school claiming Fitzpatrick had abused him repeatedly. Lawsuits from other former students followed, and in July 2022 the school removed his name from the aquatics center.

Admissions

Admission to Servite is based on academic aptitude and leadership potential as assessed through 7th and 8th grade academic transcripts, standardized test and entrance exam scores, separate parent and student interviews, and letters of recommendation.

Base tuition for the 2023–24 school year of $19,995 could be offset by discounts. Servite also offers need-based financial aid and merit scholarships; over half of students receive financial aid in some form.

Sister schools

Servite's sister school is Rosary Academy, Fullerton, an all-girls Catholic institution. It also had a similar relationship with Cornelia Connelly High School in Anaheim before it closed in 2020.

Servite also has exchange programs with Servite schools around the world including Collège Notre-Dame des Servites (Ayer's Cliff, Quebec), Servite College (Perth, Western Australia), Blanche de Castille (Villemomble, France), Marian High School (Omaha, Nebraska), San Pelligrino (Misano, Italy), and Mary Star of the Sea (Zululand, South Africa).

Athletics

Servite currently competes in the Trinity League in 13 CIF sports:

  • Fall: cross country, football, water polo
  • Winter: basketball, soccer, wrestling
  • Spring: baseball, golf, lacrosse, swim, tennis, track & field, volleyball

Additionally, ice hockey and rugby are offered on a non-CIF, club sport basis, and all athletes are supported by sports medicine and strength and conditioning staff.

Servite's historic football rival is Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, having played every year since 1961. In 2018, MaxPreps rated it the 22nd greatest high school rivalry in the United States, and "the best rivalry in the toughest league in the nation." In some years, there has been enough interest in the football game for it to be played at Angel Stadium.

State championships

  • Football: 1982, 2009, 2023
  • Track & Field: 2025
  • Basketball: 1990
  • Golf: 2011
  • Cross Country: 2004
  • Soccer: 2015, 2020, 2022, 2024

Notable alumni

References

References

  1. "2023–2024 School Profile". Servite High School.
  2. WASC-ACS. "Servite High School". WASC-Accrediting Commission for Schools.
  3. "Alumni". Servite High School.
  4. "Graduation Requirements". Servite High School.
  5. "History". Servite High School.
  6. Carter, Jim. (Fall 2015). "New Facilities for Our Faith-Filled Leaders".
  7. Mickadeit, Frank. (May 8, 2012). "Class of '62 launched Servite". The Orange County Register.
  8. Spears, Justin. (November 21, 2021). "Manu in the middle: Servite HS linebacker, prep teammates hope to jump-start Wildcats program". Arizona Daily Star.
  9. Foster, Chris. (May 20, 1992). "Gone but Not Forgotten: Angelus League, Disbanding After 31 Years, Has More Than Its Share of Memories". Los Angeles Times.
  10. "Servite High School: Campus Map/Tour".
  11. (August 30, 2017). "Servite High School celebrates grand opening of Father Kevin Fitzpatrick Aquatic Center". Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
  12. Hernandez, Salvador. (December 8, 2022). "New allegations of sexual abuse against a Servite High School priest surface in court".
  13. Reid, Scott. (September 22, 2022). "Four more former Servite students allege Fitzpatrick sexually assaulted them". The Orange County Register.
  14. "Application Process". Servite High School.
  15. "Tuition & Financial Information - Servite High School".
  16. Askeland, Kevin. (November 15, 2018). "Top 25 greatest high school football rivalries".
  17. Sondheimer, Eric. (October 18, 2021). "How good is Servite football? We'll find out Saturday against Mater Dei". The Los Angeles Times.
  18. (October 23, 2023). "Servite Friars vs. Mater Dei Monarchs". MaxPreps.
  19. "Championships". Servite High School.
  20. Carlson, Karlie. (January 3, 2020). "USD Toreros: Michael Bandy '16 Becomes A 2x All-American". Servite High School.
  21. Osterman, David. (1993-01-26). "High School Lessons Carry Pros Through Careers - Discipline, Appreciation Recalled Most Often". [[Orange County Register]].
  22. (1997-08-25). "Panthers Cut Greene, Sign Turnbull". [[Long Beach Press-Telegram]].
  23. Smith, Sarah. (1985-07-31). "Steve Buechele of Servite High Is Trying to Replace a Legend at Third Base for Texas, So It's No Wonder He Finds Himself in a Hot Spot". [[Los Angeles Times]].
  24. "Official Site of United States District Court, Eastern District of California".
  25. "Official Site of the San Francisco 49ers - TE Roster".
  26. Hamilton, Tom. (1992-10-03). "A.J. Gass Powers Servite Past Edison, 28-6". [[Los Angeles Times]].
  27. "Mason Graham - Football".
  28. Zupke, Curtis. (2007-07-16). "Dodgers display rare power - Kent, Kemp both homer and the team bangs out 10 hits". [[The Orange County Register]].
  29. "TRAVIS JONSEN". [[Montana State University]].
  30. [http://www.nfl.com/players/ryankalil/profile?id=KAL275632 Ryan Kalil bio]
  31. "Servite High School website".
  32. (10 October 2021). "Arizona Wildcats land Anaheim Servite LB Jacob Manu for 2022".
  33. Sondheimer, Eric. (May 19, 2019). "Servite freshman Tetairoa McMillan is making an impression".
  34. "Michael A. Rice, Rhode Island General Assembly". Our Campaigns.
  35. DiGiovanna, Mike. (1994-05-07). "No Minor Mania Robertson Plays in Shawdow of Birmingham's Most Famous Baron". [[Los Angeles Times]].
  36. "Turk Schonert".
  37. Johnson, Chris. (July 18, 2014). "Equanimeous St. Brown: Meet college football's most interesting recruit".
  38. Terry, Mike. (1996-10-11). "Live and Learn; Servite's Volelrs Hopes to Teach Mater Dei a Lesson This Time". [[Los Angeles Times]].
  39. Terry, Mike. (1997-08-10). "Former Angel Finds Baseball Salvation at Dana Hills; High school: Pitching coach Mike Witt enjoys teaching Dolphin players more about the game". [[Los Angeles Times]].

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boys'-schools-in-californiaeducational-institutions-established-in-1958catholic-secondary-schools-in-californiacatholic-preparatory-schools-in-californiaroman-catholic-diocese-of-orangeservite-schoolshigh-schools-in-anaheim,-california1958-establishments-in-california