MISSION STATEMENT
OUR MISSION
St. Edward High School, a Catholic school in the Holy Cross tradition, educates the hearts and minds of a diverse group of young men to have the competence to see and the courage to act as men of hope for the transformation of the world.
We believe in:
FAITH
Formation of young men in the Holy Cross tradition
EXCELLENCE
An ongoing commitment to excellence in academic and co-curricular programs
RELATIONSHIPS
A welcoming, family-oriented school community that fosters relationships
SERVANT LEADERSHIP
A Christ-like commitment to genuine leadership through service to others
FAITH
The St. Edward High School mission calls for the "formation of young men in a faith-based tradition that is God-centered and emphasizes the acceptance of each person." Every student at St. Edward matures in his faith through this foundation for religious education.
St. Edward High School challenges students to engage in deep reflection and insight into the reality of Jesus in their lives. They become familiar with the Scriptures as God's Word to us and study and reflect on life issues as seen through the eyes of faith. They analyze contemporary issues using Catholic principles of morality and justice and explore ecumenical and interreligious dialogue topics.
We provide students with multiple opportunities to act courageously in expressing their faith commitments through peer and service ministries. The faculty encourages students to participate in prayer services, service projects, and retreat experiences that allow them to live the Gospels in their lives today.
CONGREGATION OF HOLY CROSS
The Congregation of Holy Cross was founded in 1837 in LeMans, France, by Blessed Fr. Basil Moreau, C.S.C. Blessed Fr. Moreau was an educator with an innovative perspective on education. In mid-nineteenth century France, formalized education focused solely on math and science. Blessed Fr. Moreau felt that educating the whole person was about more than math and science, and he added subjects such as literature, music, and the arts to his curriculum. His school was also the first to include intramural sports and a marching band.
His expanded curriculum educated the mind (math and science) and the heart (music, art, athletics) to develop complete students. All Holy Cross institutions, including St. Edward High School, base their mission on Blessed Fr. Moreau’s original educational philosophies. The Congregation of Holy Cross operates six universities (including the University of Notre Dame) and 16 high schools throughout the United States.
Fr. Richard Warner, C.S.C., Class of 1957, was the 12th Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, leading the entire Congregation worldwide. After his retirement, he resided at Notre Dame until his passing in September 2022.
YOUR FAITH IN ACTION
St. Edward High School is proud of its Catholic tradition but welcomes students of all faiths. Spirituality plays an essential role in the daily life of each St. Edward student, and students are encouraged to express their faiths openly.
Through daily prayer services in the Holy Family Chapel, the celebration of Mass as an all-school community, and a wide variety of retreat programs and God-centered student organizations like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Student Ministers, there are many opportunities by which a student can continue to strengthen his spirituality at St. Edward High School.
St. Edward High School encourages students to celebrate their faith and put it into action. Beyond traditional Masses and daily prayer, we offer several opportunities to explore one's faith in different ways, including:
Baccalaureate Chorale
Student Ministers
Eagles in Flight (Wilderness Retreat)
Eagles Wings Liturgical Choir
Eucharistic Ministers
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Respect Life
Kairos Retreat Ministers
St. Edward for Peace and Justice
Thessalonian Society Weekly Prayer Group
EXCELLENCE
St. Edward High School enjoys a storied tradition of excellence. From rigorous academic programs designed to prepare students for the most selective colleges in the world to award-winning arts programs and championship athletics, students have limitless opportunities to develop their talents and achieve their personal goals.
Excellence at St. Edward High School begins with a talented and committed faculty who view their profession as a vocation and go above and beyond to ensure students embrace every academic opportunity. Coaches, directors, and moderators further the learning process outside the classroom, challenging every young man to reach his full potential.
As a result, St. Edward High School is well known as one of the premier high schools for academics, arts, athletics, and co-curricular programs. During a four-year career at St. Edward, every student will experience countless opportunities for excellence and the support to achieve it.
ACADEMICS
The St. Edward curriculum combines the traditional aspects of a rigorous, college-prep education with innovative curriculum, pedagogy, and programming designed to prepare students for the future world they will enter. At St. Edward, students immerse themselves in the highest quality college-prep curriculum in an academic environment built on innovation, collaboration, and individualized support of every student.
The core of a St. Edward education takes place in the classroom, where students explore classic scholarship guided by expert teachers using the most current technologies. The rigorous core of traditional academic subjects challenges students to build a firm foundation for scholarship. Our curriculum also challenges students to thrive in environments requiring critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
The St. Edward curriculum emphasizes authentic, project-based learning. Rather than passively consuming information, St. Edward challenges students to actively apply that knowledge as they will in college.
Maximum Options - A College Prep Pathway for Every Student
Every St. Edward student engages in a college-prep curriculum designed to prepare for success at whichever college or university he chooses to attend. Because St. Edward meets students where they are, courses are available to accommodate students at various ability levels, from the academically accelerated to those needing additional support to achieve success. St. Edward also offers multiple pathways for students to earn college credit during their high school career, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, Advanced Placement, and College Credit Plus.
The International Baccalaureate Programme
St. Edward High School is the only Catholic high school in Northeast Ohio authorized to offer the highly regarded International Baccalaureate Programme. We have the most extensive IB Diploma Programme in the state of Ohio. The IB offers the world's most rigorous high school curriculum and is considered the international standard of education, with global themes emphasized across the curriculum. Proven to be a differentiator for the world's most competitive students, the IB emphasizes critical thinking, college-level research, and time management that prepare students for success at the most selective universities. Colleges and universities throughout the United States and worldwide reward students who earn the rigorous IB Diploma with the eligibility to earn significant college credit. Click here to learn more about the International Baccalaureate Programme at St. Edward High School.
Advanced Placement (AP)
The St. Edward High School Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers students 17 rigorous, college-level courses through which they can earn college credit. St. Edward's AP Program is ideal for students who desire a high-level academic challenge but seek flexibility in course offerings. Click here to learn more about the AP Program at St. Edward High School.
Engineering
St. Edward High School is well known nationally for its innovative engineering program. Founded in 2001, St. Edward was one of the first secondary schools in the country to provide a college-prep engineering program. The pre-collegiate program introduces college topics and prepares students for the rigors of a college engineering study with a curriculum focused on problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and applying STEM skills. Click here to learn more about the Engineering program.
The Ken Layden Entrepreneurship Program
The Ken Layden Entrepreneurship Program is an elective course of study that introduces St. Edward students to the principles of innovation, product design, marketing, data analysis, and sound business concepts. A successful entrepreneur teaches courses that feature mentorship from dozens of local business leaders in the community. Click here to learn more about the Ken Layden Program.
The St. Edward Film Program
The St. Edward Film Department echoes director Stanley Kubrick's adage that "the best education in film is to make one." Thus, through our elective and IB Film courses, we cultivate a love for the art form by empowering St. Edward's young artists to not only critically view and discuss great cinematic works from around the globe but also write, light, film, and edit short films of their design. Click here to learn more about Film at St. Edward High School.
Financial Mathematics & Analytics
Financial Math & Analytics is an elective mathematics course that challenges students to recognize data patterns, critically analyze those patterns, and use that analysis to develop real-world business strategies. St. Edward partners with a local digital marketing firm, Precision Dialogue, to allow students to analyze actual business data and receive expert feedback on their analysis.
Academic Intervention
St. Edward provides students with the full-time equivalent of 2.5 intervention specialists who work with students who have specific learning challenges daily, along with a specialized ADHD counselor who assists students in organizing their academic work and tracking their progress. Professional tutoring in language arts, math, and science is available at no additional cost, along with daily peer tutoring and a commitment from faculty to meet with students before and after school to assist in any areas where remediation is needed.
The Jon Peterson Scholarship
St. Edward High School provides the State of Ohio's Jon Peterson Scholarship for students with qualifying IEPs, making state funds available to support academic services and tuition at St. Edward. Jon Peterson Scholarships range from $9,600 - $20,000. St. Edward assesses a $3,500 tuition surcharge to Peterson Scholarship recipients to fund additional special support services.
ATHLETICS
The pride of Eagle Athletics comes from a long-standing championship tradition, and the foundation for that tradition begins with the coaches who work with our student-athletes every day. To achieve success, our coaches motivate every student-athlete to reach his potential, respect his teammates and understand how to work with others effectively, and have respect for their opponents and the game - qualities applied far beyond the field of play. Many St. Edward student-athletes' talents open doors to opportunities beyond high school as they continue their educations and playing careers at the nation's top colleges and universities.
Since 1978, the St. Edward Eagles have won 75 state and 11 national championships, making St. Edward the winningest high school athletic program in Ohio and among the most highly regarded programs in the United States.
Edward offers 17 varsity athletic programs with Freshman, Junior Varsity, or Novice teams.
Baseball – Varsity, JV, and Freshman Teams
Basketball – Varsity, JV, and Freshman Teams
Bowling – Varsity and JV Teams
Cross Country – Varsity and JV Teams
Football – Varsity, JV, and Freshman Teams
Golf – Varsity, JV, and Green Teams
Hockey – Varsity and U-15 Teams
Lacrosse – Varsity and JV Teams
Rowing – Varsity and Novice Teams
Rugby – Varsity and JV Teams
Soccer – Varsity and JV Teams
Swimming – Varsity and JV Teams
Tennis – Varsity and JV Teams
Track & Field – Varsity and JV Teams
Volleyball – Varsity and JV Teams
Wrestling – Varsity, JV, and Freshman Teams
PERFORMING ARTS
St. Edward High School embraces the important Holy Cross ideal of creative expression by offering diverse performing arts programs that allow students to showcase their talents musically, vocally, rhythmically, and by acting with one of Northeast Ohio’s most respected theater companies.
All of St. Ed’s performing arts programs are of the highest quality. The Performing Arts Department offers opportunities for students interested in all forms of creative expression. From traditional programs like choir, concert and jazz band, and the Edwardian Players, to The Trash Talkers, who make music from household items like garbage cans and buckets, students in the Performing Arts Program entertain thousands of fans yearly. The stage crew allows technical students to build the sets for the seasonal plays, developing their carpentry, lighting, and stage management skills. Click here to learn more about the Performing Arts at St. Edward High School.
STUDENT LIFE
St. Edward High School encourages many student activities to give opportunities for broader associations among students and faculty. In addition, universities tend to look for young men who balance and round out their personalities by participating in extracurriculars.
St. Edward High School offers various co-curricular and student life opportunities that Edsmen are encouraged to become involved with beginning with the first day of freshman year. The most successful student experiences include many opportunities for growth and discovery. Click here to learn more about Student Life and co-curricular at St. Edward High School.
RELATIONSHIPS
As an adolescent matures into a young man during his four years in high school, the relationships he builds and sustains will define that growth. The relationships students form at St. Edward High School are lifelong and are the foundation for every student’s success.
Hospitality is a charism central to the philosophy of Holy Cross education. It is through relationships that Holy Cross hospitality makes itself known to St. Edward students daily. Positive relationships formed in a nurturing environment provide students with a tremendous sense of safety and comfort as they realize the support from their teachers, classmates, and coaches in all things. That support allows them to reach outside their comfort zone and discover new talents and interests. The brotherhood that develops among classmates during their four years at St. Edward is a testament to the strength of the community and the positive experience that each young man has during these formative years.
AN EXCEPTIONAL FACULTY
St. Edward High School prides itself on the quality of its faculty and its commitment to the formation of each student. The legacy of the Holy Cross Brothers, combined with a vocationally driven lay faculty and staff, offers a unique learning environment for the students that challenges them and develops them to have the competence to see and the courage to act.
The experience of the St. Edward faculty is second to none. Combined with a highly experienced Counseling Department, students receive the highest levels of instruction and guidance during their four years.
Beyond the academic expertise that the faculty bring to class each day, the commitment and care they have for each student sets them apart and is the strength behind the success of each St. Edward student. St. Edward students know they can count on their teachers to go above and beyond to meet their needs, and the respect that they develop for their teachers lasts a lifetime.
A LIFELONG BROTHERHOOD
Beyond the academic advantages of a St. Edward education, graduates join one of the country’s most robust alumni networks of more than 15,000 Edsmen who understand the values of faith, excellence, relationships, and servant leadership that become their foundation as they seek to make an impact on the lives of others. The brotherhood that develops among classmates during their four years is a testament to the strength of the St. Edward community and the positive experience that each young man gains from his time at St. Edward. The relationships that bond the St. Edward alumni stem from the shared experience of hospitality and compassion modeled daily by the faculty and students.
GENERATIONS OF EAGLES
Behind a proud tradition are multiple generations of families that have enjoyed the privilege of a St. Edward High School education. Many of the same strong bonds that current students build with longtime teachers and Brothers of Holy Cross are the same that their fathers and grandfathers made.
Having such a strong family tradition not only adds to the atmosphere that St. Edward students experience daily, but it helps bridge generations within families and builds a tremendous sense of pride for the school community. St. Edward alumni are proud to give back to the school and send their sons and grandsons to the place that laid such a strong foundation for them, knowing the positive impact they will have on the next generation of Eagles.
SERVANT LEADERSHIP
The principles of servant leadership are critical to the development of every St. Edward student. Through every experience a St. Edward student has during his four years, the school’s mission is to help each young man find his call to live as a servant leader. We challenge our students to develop into leaders who exhibit hospitality, compassion, zeal, and humility and bring hope to everyone they encounter.
St. Edward High School’s focus on faith formation, drive for excellence in all things, and commitment to developing meaningful relationships is rooted in the mission to form Christ-like servant leaders who will enrich the lives of others by living out the charism and spirituality of Holy Cross. Much of the success our students achieve comes from practicing the ideals of servant leadership.
The ideals of servant leadership are emphasized to students through faculty and Brothers of Holy Cross modeling for the young men the qualities of patience, kindness, and love necessary to lead others through service.
WHAT IS A CHRIST-LIKE SERVANT LEADER?
A St. Edward High School Servant Leader displays a Christ-like commitment to serve those he is called to lead and lives out the charism and spirituality of Holy Cross. He is filled with the spirit of hospitality and is committed to building positive relationships with those he leads. A St. Ed’s servant leader is enlivened by zeal yet tempered with humility, bringing daily hope in the Cross of Christ. Most importantly, he always trusts in Divine Providence.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
St. Edward High School students learn that one of the defining characteristics of a servant leader is putting the greater good before oneself. From the beginning of freshman year, we emphasize service and the impact a young man can have on his community by sacrificing his time, talents, and treasure.
Edsmen are enthusiastic contributors to the community, whether working locally in Lakewood during the spring service day or organizing fundraisers to impact their peers in developing countries thousands of miles away.
Dozens of enriching service opportunities await St. Edward students, along with the personal growth they experience by building a foundation for a life committed to service to others.
Service-based clubs and opportunities include:
Freshman Day of Service
Appalachia Work Week
St. Edward Community Meal
Eagles on Foot 5K Race
Clips for Cancer
El Salvador Immersion Trip
Holiday Food Drives
Garfield School Tutoring
Peer Tutoring
Sophomore Service Retreat
Service Club
Under Eagles Wings Program
Green Club / Recycling
Spring Service Day