Canisius High School Today
18
hen Jesuit values go in, he stand outs.
Canisius High School students and alumni share a special
fraternity as men for others – men who embody the Jesuit
tradition of academic achievement, spiritual strength, and a
desire to make a difference in the world.
As the school embarks on its 144th year, a look at
today’s Canisius High School students shows that this
transformational education is stronger than ever. A unique
combination of dedicated administration, faculty and staff,
supportive alumni, and distinct educational programs is
the source of that strength. This issue of
Canisius High School
Today
presents an ideal opportunity to reflect on what
differentiates our school from others in Western New York
and what that means for the future...of the students, the
school, and the community.
The Jesuit foundation
As a member of the Jesuit Secondary Education Association
(JSEA), Canisius High School joins 45 other Jesuit high
schools in the United States in sustaining its Ignatian vision
and mission of educational excellence in the formation of
young men. Every aspect of the Canisius experience centers
on five central traits that a Jesuit education aims to instill so
that upon graduation, students are:
Open to growth
Intellectually competent
Religious
Loving
Committed to justice
According to the JSEA, these five general categories sum up
the many aspects of life most in accord with living a full
adult life as a disciple of Christ in today’s world.
“Jesuits understand that in the act of
learning, the mind and heart must be equal
participants,”
explains Fr. Joseph Costantino,
S.J., president.
“Because God infuses all of
creation – and creation is good –we help
every Canisius student understand his innate
goodness. That’s very different from other
schools that simply educate students to be
successful. We always seek to educate the
whole person.”
The Canisius Grad at Grad
The JSEA guidelines include The Profile of the Graduate at
Graduation, a concept that spells out how the student should
possess the five desired characteristics of a Jesuit education
by the time the student graduates. According to principal
Timothy Fitzgerald, Canisius hasmade a deeper commitment
to the Graduate at Graduation idea. The Canisius program,
often shortened to Grad at Grad, offers a more formalized
process that engages the student in meaningful service that
comes with a great deal of individual responsibility.
“Our program gives the student an opportunity
for a very serious level of reflection on how
they spend their four years at Canisius
as men for others,”
Mr. Fitzgerald explains.
“There are components of Grad at Grad during
every grade from freshman through senior,
including retreats and service opportunities.
It is very hands-on and formalized
culminating in senior year when the
soon-to-be graduate must do a presentation
on their Canisius experience.”
The CHS Graduate at
Graduation
