Christian Brothers High School (Memphis, Tennessee)

Christian Brothers High School (CBHS) is located in Memphis, Tennessee, at 5900 Walnut Grove Rd. It is an all-male college preparatory school and Catholic school that has a strong Lasallian tradition that can be traced back to John Baptist de La Salle.

History

Founding

The school was founded as Christian Brothers College on November 19, 1871, by members of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a Roman Catholic religious teaching congregation. The Brothers came to Memphis at the request of the people and clergy of the city, after more than a decade of efforts to persuade the Brothers to open a college in Memphis.

Brother Maurelian was appointed the first president. During his presidency, a period which lasted 33 years, the Brothers purchased the 612 Adams Street building, which housed the college until 1940 when the school moved to its present location at Central Avenue and East Parkway South.

Functioning as a combined elementary school, high school, and college, Christian Brothers College granted high school diplomas as well as Bachelor's and Master's Degrees until 1915, when the college division was suspended. Elementary classes were dropped in 1922, and the institution operated as only a high school for 18 years. In 1940, the college opened again as a junior college and began granting Associate's Degrees in 1942. Several years later in 1965 the high school left the college campus and moved to a new campus located at 5900 Walnut Grove Rd. in East Memphis. At that point it became known as Christian Brothers High School. The college is now known as Christian Brothers University, and is still on East Parkway.

Christian Brothers High School Band is the oldest high school band in America.

Lasallian tradition

Christian Brothers University traces its origins to priest and educational innovator, St. John Baptist de La Salle, the patron saint of teachers.

De La Salle began a system of Christian schools in which teachers assist parents in the educational, ethical, and religious formation of their children. To continue his spiritual and pedagogical vision, De La Salle founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, known today as the De La Salle Christian Brothers.

Today, the spirit and tradition of the Lasallian community thrives in 81 countries and in more than 1,000 educational institutions. Over 4,000 De La Salle Christian Brothers, along with 56,000 Lasallian lay colleagues (such as Lasallian Volunteers), serve over 750,000 students and their families worldwide.

In the United States, there are over 100 Lasallian educational institutions.

Campus

CBHS is located on a 40 acre campus in the heart of East Memphis, sixteen miles east of Downtown. The campus encompasses the main school building, gym, football & practice field, baseball field and club house, soccer & practice field, tennis courts and housing for the brothers who work at the school.

Mission

The mission of Christian Brothers High School is to provide young men a quality, college-preparatory education in an academic and religious environment which emphasizes knowledge of self, service to the community, and an understanding and appreciation of the values embodied in the traditions of Lasallian schools throughout the world. The school is also run by an honor code which is ran by a group of elected students.

Philosophy

The following is the stated philosophy of the school:

Christian Brothers High School, a private, Catholic school, is a community of believers in the Lasallian tradition, inclusive of students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni, who represent various religious, ethnic, and economic backgrounds, working together to achieve a shared mission: To give a human and Christian education to the young and to promote peace and justice, with a commitment to the service of the poor.

We value the uniqueness and dignity of the individual and the well­being of the entire Christian Brothers High School community. We value the ongoing development of our spiritual, academic, social, and physical formation in light of gospel values.

In an atmosphere of academic excellence and in appreciation of individual differences, we at Christian Brothers High School inspire and direct individuals toward an increased understanding of themselves and their community. We strive to encourage a personal sense of honor and self‑discipline, service to others, a respect for all life, and a growth toward a mature relationship with God.

In light of our shared mission, the Christian Brothers High School community works together to minister in an orderly environment which encourages learning as a lifelong process, independent thinking, concern for the individual, and service to the community.

Vision

The vision of Christian Brothers High School is to be an educational leader inspired by the moral and spiritual teachings of St. John Baptist de La Salle. This is accomplished by:

• Promoting a spiritual environment which acknowledges the diversity of different religious traditions and the responsibility to use these values as a basis for service to others and the betterment of society.
• Committing programs and resources for service of the poor.
• Encouraging and recognizing excellence in its students and faculty.
• Providing an atmosphere conducive to learning and creativity for students and faculty.
• Creating a caring, Lasallian community environment which includes students, parents, teachers, administrators, staff and alumni.
• Providing a spirit of collaboration among administration, staff, teachers, parents and students.
• Valuing the uniqueness of each student and making every effort to meet his needs.
• Developing young men with the highest standard of educational, moral and spiritual background prepared to embark on the challenges of today's society.
• Developing self‑confidence in the student.
• Promoting the image of the school in a manner which exemplifies the values which are emphasized and taught therein.

Athletics

The athletic teams are known as the Purple Wave or simply Brothers.

Notable Alumni

• Tim McCarver - major league baseball player and broadcaster
• Shaun Micheel - American professional golfer, winner of the 2003 PGA Championship
• Cary Middlecoff D.D.S. - professional golfer
• John J. Shea, Jr. M.D. - World-renowned ear surgeon

References

External links

• Christian Brothers High School, Memphis, TN
• Christian Brothers University Homepage
• Christian Brothers University Athletic Homepage
• The Brothers of the Christian Schools, Rome, Italy
• Lasallian Volunteers

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