Chaminade High School

I am currently a student at Fordham University and at my high school I was considered very smart (Top 5% at North Shore High School). I have a couple of friends who graduated from Chaminade, all of them who say they were either average or under-average students, and I must admit that all of them are incredible students and have little to no struggle with the loads of work given in class. This shows how tough Chaminade most likely is, and I just cannot imagine how itelligent the "Top 5%" at Chaminade must be. I will definitely consider Chaminade as a highschool for my future son if I remain living on long island.

Chaminade is a first rate college prepatory high school. Its students are very well prepared to meet the challenges that college present to students.

Chaminade I am sure is very good to some students, but those that fall outside of the "Chaminade" type do not fair as well. My son traveled for two years on a bus where he was continuously beat up every day by the wrestling team. In addition, he was forced to fight other kids by the same bullies. I spoke to those in charge many times: parents, bus drivers, and school officials. Nothing was done. I felt as helpless as my son to fight against a system that turns its face away from these uncomfortable social problems. My son takes it in stride and looks upon it as a closed chapter in his life. But as his mom, the witness to it all, I can only hope that some parent will read this and reach out to others whose sons are in similar situations and do something.
—Submitted by a parent

Stop for a moment and consider the bitterness underlying some of the adjacent reviews of Chaminade High School. Now consider this: Why do some people insist on posting comments that reveal more about them and their own current life prospects than they reveal about Chaminade?

Bleak and conformist, with routinized note taking and exam cramming that passes for education. If you want to prepare your son to think creatively and independently stay away from this place. After four years here I was completely unprepared to think and write at the college level--(though I was well prepared for taking multiple choice tests, and other such meaningless tasks). As a parent now, and a college professor, (and a Catholic), I would not send my sons here if I was paid to do so.
—Submitted by a student

As a graduate of Chaminade High School I can attest to the high quality education, but additionally Chaminade creates great men. They instill a sense of pride in one's work and caring for our community at large. When I look at the successes I've had I see Chaminades influence in all of them.

I'm a graduate of the Class of 2010, and I personally believed that in certain aspects, the education was lacking. That being said, there are some great teachers here, but they are constricted in the boundaries of the schools antiquated curriculum. This is particularly true in the English and Foreign Language departments. The Spanish program seeks to focus on basic grammar, especially in Senior year, whereas I there was no serious focus on Spanish literature, where the grammar can be applied and reinforced. This is the true sin of the school, especially as bilingualism is becoming more and more necessary for job applicants. The English department also lacks in literature. To Kill a Mockingbird is middle-school level, yet is a freshman year book. Additionally, various works of Shakespeare are assigned, but I feel as though I didn't actually get a strong interpretation of it unless it was explained by the instructor. Lectures were cursory and left no room for discussion. Socially, I will say that while there is a certain slant associated with the school, there is a basic level of respect that people have for one another. Though thats partly because of the Draconian discipline.
—Submitted by a student

Did not prepare me in the slightest for what I intend to study in college, mainly because of their overly-strict, structured curriculum. Their philosophy of having no APs really creates a horror once you go off to college...but not to worry...if you follow the college placement office's advice, a Chaminade graduate will do fine at a religious school like Villanova, or perhaps a state school. Had I listened to their advice, I would not be at an ivy-league university now. This is all part of their plan...everyone must think the same way and act the same, and naturally the "challenging academic programs" will provide adequate preparation for college. Think again. Their science program is anything but challenging. In my introductory science college course, we covered everything I learned at chaminade in about 3 weeks, while students who took the AP class at their public schools used the same textbook. Chaminade DID help me mature and develop a close relationship with teachers, although the solely republican atmosphere is NOT what college is like. Summary: A Chaminade diploma looks great. Employers LOVE Chaminade, but intend to work a lot harder in college than your peers at college.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from Chaminade in the 1970's. The school was very rigorous academically and at first I did not like all the hard work I had to do to get good grades.I learned to like the hard work. I became fond of the place because the teachers were very supportive and I turned into a top student. I got into several IVY League colleges and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Yale. From there I graduated near the top of my medical school class. Chaminade taught me how to study and it paid off.

I am a graduate of Chaminade High School and, in retrospect, I believe that I received an unparalleled education. The school is strict and it will sure teach you time management skills, but the workload and very helpful faculty will push you to become a well rounded man and an exceptional student. I believe that my success beyond high school can be largely attributed to the education I received at Chaminade.
—Submitted by a student

Best boys college prep high school on Long Island

i have to agree with that comment claiming that the Chaminade community doesn't let you be "yourself." The school is certainly academically challenging, but has a stiflingly conservative political leaning. Because of this, the administration is extremely hypocritical in that it will preach Christian values (against war and violence etc.) and then pay lip service to the seemingly endless stream of military alumni who visit. As a former student, i found this deeply disturbing. In regards to the student body, be warned: any type of liberal or even center-left opinions will be met with enormous hostility. I have never, since my years at Chaminade, encountered such blatant bigotry, homophobia, and sexism from my peers. Nevertheless, it is still probably the best school on Long Island academically.
—Submitted by a student

I was a 1966 grad. After Chaminade I went to Manhattan on an ROTC scholarship for Chem Engineering where I graduated with honors. Then 4 yrs in the Air Force and dental school at Tufts and then orthodontics at Tufts. I've been in the private practice of orthodontics ever since. I also teach part time at Tufts in the orthodontic department. Chaminade was the best part of my educational experience. It prepared me academically and psychologically to excel.

I am a graduate and I made the right choice by picking Chaminade. Somebody else wrote that there is no way to compare Chaminade because we don't take Regents. Allow me to explain. The NYS Board of Regents has exempted Chaminade from the Regents exams because Chaminade is too good for the exams and thus is allowed to give Comps and Trimesters which are harder and more inclusive. People who do not like Chaminade tend to think they know how Chaminade is run but they're almost always wrong. I'm not saying that Chaminade isn't strict, but I am saying that the strictness builds a better man. It is basically the last school on LI that offers a true Catholic education, as the student body is literally 100% baptized Catholic. Great choice for your child unless you are the type of parent who cannot trust that anybody else can handle your son.

I just wish it had more variety in classes, like honors in certain subjects. But I do like it.
—Submitted by a student

i love chaminade high school because it really challenges you
—Submitted by a student

A great place to learn, lots of support for the students, and very supportive alumni.

Its not that strict and its a real good school.
—Submitted by a student

I just started at Chaminade and already love it, The faculty is great and the students are friendly, although it is fairly large 1700 students all the teachers remember every student they ever taught. The food is good and it doesn't take long to become part of this tight- knit community.
—Submitted by a student

I am a recent graduate of Chaminade and I only have good things to say. The all-boys thing is sometimes a pain but it is so much easier to learn that way. I noticed that a parent wrote 'should be co-ed.' I'm sorry but did you not see that in the literature you get with the acceptance letter? As a current college student I feel that I am the best prepared to handle the college work load because of Chaminade. The rules are tough but that can be a good thing. There is little tolerance for things like drugs and alcohol. You know that this school creates a strong family when, on the day before Thanksgiving tons of college-age alumni come back. You'll get to know all of the Brothers and teachers really well if you're involved. Fortes in Unitate!
—Submitted by a student