Peninsula Catholic High School


Peninsula Catholic High School is a college preparatory regional school of the Diocese of Richmond located in Newport News, Virginia, which offers grades 8 through 12.
It is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association and is accredited byAdvancED.

History

Peninsula Catholic High School was founded in 1903 as St. Vincent de Paul School for girls by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth with the help of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fortune Ryan, who donated significant funds and the original school building in downtown Newport News; it became co-educational in 1929 when the Xaverian Brothers closed their school for boys. It was renamed Peninsula Catholic High school in 1966 by Bishop Russell, in the belief that the name should reflect all supporting parishes. The school opened a new facility in the fall of 1995 on Harpersville Road. In 2015 a $2.1 million athletic complex was completed. Since the 1984-85 school year, Peninsula Catholic has been under lay administration.

Demographics

65% of Peninsula Catholic students are Catholic. There is a 30% minority enrollment.

Alma mater

The Peninsula Catholic Alma Mater is set to the tune "Annie Lisle" a popular 1857 Ballad by H. S. Thompson. The tune is one of the most popular "alma mater tunes" and has been adopted by many Schools, Colleges and Universities as settings for their alma maters, including The College of William and Mary, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Cornell University.
The Lyrics of the Alma Mater:

Hail to thee our Alma Mater,

Praise for blue and white,

Ever loyal to Peninsula Catholic,

Onward in the Fight.



Faith and Courage is our motto,

Ever it shall be,

We, the Students of Peninsula Catholic,

Strive for Victory.



Faith in Jesus, spread by spirit,

Bringing light through deed.

Strength through valor, truth and honor,

Serving those in need.

Weekend programs

The Newport News Japanese School, a weekend Japanese school, holds its classes at Peninsula Catholic.

Notable alumni