Our Mission and History

List of 5 items.

• Dominican Sisters of Sparkill

  Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary
  
  

  As members of a ministerial, apostolic religious congregation, the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill embrace Jesus' invitation to share in his mission. Committed to ministry for justice and reverence for all creation, Sparkill Dominicans live and minister throughout the United States and abroad in Pakistan. The Sisters’ ministries span a variety of fields: education, administration, health care, pastoral care and preaching, social services, senior housing, healthcare, and advocacy for the poor and marginalized.
  
  

  The Dominican Sisters of Sparkill founded Albertus Magnus High School in 1957. They have founded and staffed numerous schools in the New York and St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan areas, and in Pakistan. For additional information, please visit www.sparkill.org.

• Education in the Dominican Tradition

  St. Dominic founded the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans) in 1216 at a time when there was a great need in the Church for preachers who were fully prepared—both spiritually and theologically—to preach and teach the Word of God with the clarity and power that comes from an authentic living of the Gospel. The Order was built on four “pillars” which continue to be the hallmarks of education in the Dominican tradition: prayer, study, community, and service. The Catholic identity of Albertus Magnus High School is infused with the Dominican spirit.

  
  Dominican Blessing
  

  May the Creator bless us, may the Redeemer heal us, may the Holy Spirit enlighten us, and give us eyes to see, ears to hear and hands to do the work of God; feet to walk the path of justice and mouths to preach the Good News of the Gospel. May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us, at last, to the Reign of God. Amen.

  -attributed to Saint Dominic

• Our History

  Albertus Magnus High School was founded in September 1957 by the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary, also known as the Dominican Sisters of SparkilI, NY. In 1956, Cardinal Francis Spellman, Archbishop of New York, asked the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill to construct and staff a co-educational Catholic high school in Rockland County, NY. At the request of Mother Kevin Sullivan, the school was named Albertus Magnus High School for the renowned Dominican priest, bishop and scholar, St. Albert the Great.

  
  

  Once a site had been secured in Bardonia and architectural plans were in progress, classes for the first 50 freshmen of Albertus Magnus High School were held in 4 classrooms of St. Catharine of Alexandria Elementary School in Blauvelt, beginning in September 1957. In 1958 the freshmen and sophomores had classes in Blauvelt while the ground was broken in Bardonia and construction of the new building was underway. By September 1959, the freshmen, sophomores and juniors began occupying the partially-completed new high school. September 1960 marked the first academic year that began with a full, four-year student body, and the seniors became the first graduates of Albertus Magnus High School in June 1961.

  
  

  Albertus Magnus, the only Catholic high school in Rockland County, is recognized and accredited by the New York State Board of Regents and the Middle States Association. In addition to an excellent academic program and an array of extracurricular activities, students are offered a value-centered Catholic education with emphasis on love of God and one’s neighbor—the way of life to which a Christian is called, on the application of the scriptures to one’s daily life, and on the teachings of the Church. The school community gathers on special occasions for the celebration of the Eucharist and for various prayer services. Students participate in multiple opportunities for service to people in need, learning practical ways to live out their faith.

  
  

  Over the last few years several improvements have been made to the campus, making it a more robust place for learning, athletics and the arts as well as a more attractive environment. Visitors to the school immediately notice the new outdoor lighting that adds nostalgic charm out front, the building colors have been modified to match the school colors, and landscaping and masonry improvements have improved appearance and safety. Around back, one can see the new track and state-of-the-art turf field where our student athletes compete. On the inside, new “green” lighting brightens hallways and new water stations replace the fountains of yesteryear. In addition, the nearly invisible network and wireless infrastructure provides for an anywhere learning environment leveraged by teachers and students to make the experiences for both top notch. Finally, the gym’s new floor and sound system make indoor sports and our concerts and plays so exciting.

  
  

  Alumni of Albertus Magnus High School are valued members of the school community. Alumni serve on the School Board, and many have been faithful supporters of and contributors to fundraising events. A number of families have two generations of Albertus graduates. and some current students represent the third generation.

• St. Albert the Great

  Feast of St. Albert the Great
  Patron Saint of Albertus Magnus High School
  November 15th
  
  

  St. Albert the Great (“Albertus Magnus”) is a Doctor of the Church and the patron of scientists, philosophers and medical technicians.

  
  

  Born at the end of the 13th century in what is now Bavaria, St. Albert was one of the very early members of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans). A renowned professor of the natural sciences, St. Albert’s broad scholarly interests ranged from the natural sciences to philosophy and theology, bringing him wide recognition in his own day as an authority on logic, psychology, metaphysics, biology, botany, physics, geography, mineralogy, astronomy, chemistry, and zoology.

  
  

  St. Albert’s own understanding of the natural world can be found in his oft-quoted observation: “The whole world is theology for us, because the heavens proclaim the glory of God.” He was the most prolific writer of his century and was the only scholar of his age to be called “the Great,” a title that was used even before his death.

  
  

  St. Albert died on November 15, 1280. On December 16, 1931, he was declared a saint by the Catholic Church and proclaimed a Doctor (great teacher) of the Church.

  
  

  The Albertus Magnus High School community observes his feast every November 15th by coming together for the celebration of the Eucharist.

• Our Mission

  Albertus Magnus High School is a Catholic, coeducational community of faith in which our future leaders strive for academic excellence, seek Truth, and show respect for the dignity of each person.
  
  

  We believe that:
  

  • Each student is unique and has the capacity to learn.
  • Students mature in their Catholic faith when they participate in opportunities to serve others.
  • All members of our school community share responsibility for the education of our students.
  • Each person has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
  • A positive and safe environment is essential to insure the security and well-being of all members of our school community
  • Extracurricular activities and inter-scholastic athletics contribute to the growth and development of each student.
  • Diversity in teaching methodology and lesson plans respects varied ways that students learn.
  • The integration of technology in all aspects of the curriculum enables students to function successfully in a modern society.
  • A commitment to excellence and creativity is important for all facets of school life.
  • Assessment of student learning should provide various opportunities to demonstrate achievement.