Damien High School is a private, all male Roman Catholic high school in La Verne, California named for Blessed Damien deVeuster of Molokai. The school had its first graduating class in 1963. Each of Damien's freshmen classes draws from an average of over 75 different elementary and junior high schools from Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

History

Holy Name Academy, a boarding high school for girls, located on Holt Avenue in Pomona, California, closed its doors in June 1949 . In September of that year, it was reopened by Monsignor English, pastor of St. Joseph Church, as a high school for both boys and girls of the parish and surrounding parishes. Newly staffed by the Felician Sisters, it was named “Pomona Catholic High School.” Despite the expanding population, it was able to provide Catholic education for the next ten years.

With the completion of the new Bonita High School in 1959 , the Bonita School District moved the public high school from their old campus on Bonita Avenue to their new location on D Street in La Verne. His Eminence James Francis Cardinal McIntrye purchased the old campus site, and in September 1959, the newly named “Pomona Catholic Boys High School” welcomed its first freshman class.

Classes were held in many of the buildings, which were as yet relics of the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s. By 1962 marked changes had begun to take place. In October of that year, a newly constructed wing was opened including eight classrooms and science labs. Spartan Stadium was also completed. During 1964 , many of the older buildings were demolished and the campus received a face-lift. Parking facilities were completed during 1965 , and early 1966 saw the completion of the priests’ residence. The 1970s and 1980s were also a time of growth for Damien, witnessing the completion of a new gymnasium, the four new classrooms of the 500 wing and, most recently, the Administration and Science building, which includes six new classrooms, two science labs, and entirely new administration offices. In 1995, a music room was added and a library renovation was also completed. In 1996, a new swimming pool and locker room were constructed. Six new tennis courts were also built near the priests’ residence and a new ticket/snack bar/rest room facility was built in Spartan Stadium. In 2008, the Spartan Stadium was renovated. It now includes a rubber running track and a field made of artificial turf.

In 1962, Pomona Catholic Boys' was accredited by the University of California for the maximum period of five years. In 1967, 1972, 1977, 1983, 1989, 1995, and 2001, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges granted accreditation to the school for the maximum term.

A new phase of school development was begun with the 1967-68 school year. The school was given the name “Damien High School” in honor of Blessed Damien de Veuster, SS.CC. The Sacred Hearts Fathers have staffed and administered the school since its beginning in La Verne. The courage and capacity for self-sacrifice in the cause of others, is encouraged as an impetus toward social causes in the lives of Damien's students.

Alma Mater

A certain word, a thought remembered
Will stir within someday.
We'll recall the nights of victory
Time has swept away.
We'll sing to you, our Alma Mater
When times like these are gone,
And bring to you wreaths of glory
Of what we've said or done.

The night is ours the battle's over;
We're proud of our Spartan men
And take heed to our warning we'll return again.
"With our shield or on it," is the code
Of our Spartan men.
So tremble at our warning
We'll return again.

College

Upward of 95% of Damien's graduates matriculate to college, with the Advanced Placement students having a particularly high success rate. Institutions where Damien graduates are common include the Claremont Colleges, USC, and UC schools, as well as several Ivy League institutions.

Sports and Activities

The Damien Spartans enjoy success both locally and statewide. They compete and hold championships in swimming, football, water polo, hockey, track & field, and soccer.

Tijuana Mission

Damien has a tradition of traveling to Tijuana for community service purposes. They go during the summer to build houses and a church, and then to give food to the needy during the holiday season.

Tuition

For the 2008-2009 academic school year, tuition at Damien is $6,000 for 1 student, and $10,000 for 2 students.

Notable Damien Alumni

• Mark McGwire – Professional baseball player
• Ian Johnson – College football player, Boise State.
• Frank Pastore - Professional baseball player, talk radio host
• Rick Davis – Professional soccer player
• Cory Lekkerkerker - Professional Football Player
• Larry Wilmore- Comedian/Writer
• Joe Franchino- Professional Soccer Player
• Daniel Moskos - Clemson pitcher. Drafted 4th overall in 2007 amateur MLB draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Bill Duffy- Sports Agent (Steve Nash)
• Freddy Brown- WR, Utah Utes.
• Kenny Van Dilberg- Manager and Masseuse of Never Never Land
• Dennis Shaw - QB, Professional Football Player. NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year 1970
• Mike Carter - Princeton swimmer, Olympic Trials Qualifier

External links

• Damien High School Website

Notes and references