St. John Vianney High School (Kirkwood, Missouri)

St. John Vianney High School (a.k.a. Vianney High School, or simply Vianney) is a Marianist private, all-boys Catholic college preparatory school in Kirkwood, Missouri. The school was opened in 1960 by the Society of Mary, a religious order of priests and brothers who continue to run the school, and is part of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, along with the Marianists' Chaminade College Preparatory School and St. Mary's High School.

St. John Vianney High School
Address
Map
1311 South Kirkwood Road

, ,
63122

United States
Coordinates38°33′38″N 90°24′29″W / 38.56056°N 90.40806°W / 38.56056; -90.40806
Information
TypePrivate, All-Boys
MottoVerso l'alto
(To the highest)
Religious affiliation(s)Catholic
Established1960
PresidentIan Mulligan
PrincipalWill Armon
Grades912
Enrollment550
Student to teacher ratio12:1
Hours in school day8:15 AM - 2:45 PM
Campus
St. John Vianney High School Campus
Campus size37 acres
Color(s)Black and Gold   
SloganMen of Character and Accomplishment
Athletics conferenceMetro Catholic Conference
NicknameGolden Griffins
Team nameGriffins
RivalChaminade College Preparatory School, Saint Louis University High School
AccreditationNorth Central Association of Colleges and Schools[1]
NewspaperThe Griffin
YearbookThe Talon
Tuition$18,950
Dean of StudentsScott Hingle
AdmissionsDirector, Tom Mulvihill
AthleticsDirector, Michael Potsou
WebsiteVianney

History

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The creation of a new school was needed in the late 1950s to cater for the increasing population of Baby Boomers. It was founded by Archbishop Joseph Ritter as a private, Marianist, Catholic high school for boys. The school has grown over time, changed its curriculum and adapted to educational trends.

Some of the notable events include the introduction of female teachers in 1973, lighting of the football field in 1977 and sale of part of the campus to Lutheran Church in 1980. The school has undergone several expansions and renovations including a new entrance, commons area, media center and state-of-the-art classrooms added in 2007. Subsequent updates included improvements to sports facilities, STEM labs, baseball fields and creation of an Esports Center in 2021.

Over the years, this school’s ability to adapt and grow with financial support has made it thrive. Major renovations and upgrades have been done such as HVAC system updates, window installations and a $1 million STEM labs upgrade. The most recent renovation in 2021 involved converting original locker rooms and weight rooms into a modern facility for student training that includes unique locker rooms, fitness equipment and dressing rooms for Griffin Theatre.[2]

Athletics

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Vianney sponsors athletic teams in football, soccer, cross country, basketball, swimming, wrestling, baseball, golf, tennis, track and field, volleyball. There are also club teams for outdoor lacrosse, bowling, chess, lacrosse, racquetball and ice hockey.

In 2011 and 2013, the Varsity Chess Team won the National Championships.

Vianney is a member of the Metro Catholic Conference of private Catholic high schools, along with:

State championships

  • Esports - 2023 (Rocket League)
  • Baseball – 2004, 2006, 2018
  • Football – 2016, 2018
  • Hockey – 1979, 1996, 2020
  • Soccer – 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1991, 1992
  • Volleyball – 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013

National championships

  • Chess – 2011, 2013
  • Soccer – 1992

School mascot

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The school mascot is the Golden Griffin: half lion and half eagle. The school colors, black and gold, reflect the colors of the Griffin. The school states that the Griffin represents certain virtues in all of its students.

School fight song

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The St. John Vianney High School fight song, written by former guidance counselor Brother Harold Lootens is often sung at football and basketball games and at pep rallies: "We are the black and gold of Vianney. We are the Golden Griffins of Vianney High. Half Lion, half Eagle, so the Griffin can roar, so the Griffin can soar above the lightning and the thunder. We will win, win, win, yeah Vianney. Oh hear the din, din, din, of our clamor and cheers. We want the world to be told about the black and the gold of old Vianney, Vianney, Vianney, Hey!"

Controversy

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In 2006, Vianney President Fr. Robert Osborne (1933–2014) was accused in a civil lawsuit of sexual misconduct with a student.[3] Osborne stepped down temporarily, then the school fired him after another accuser stepped forward.[4] The school later settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount.[5][6] Osborne was investigated by the Kirkwood Police but not charged with a crime.[7] A subsequent Marianist investigation found "no credible or substantiated allegation of abuse", but the following year, the order stripped him of his priestly faculties.[4]

In 2023, a nurse at the school was terminated from her position for inappropriate contact with a student.[8] St. Louis County later charged her with two felony sex crimes,[9] pleaded guilty, and was given a suspended five-year sentence and registered as a sex offender.[10]

Notable alumni

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Sports and entertainment

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Arts and sciences

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Law and government

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Notable faculty

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ NCA-CASI. "NCA-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement". Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
  2. ^ "Our History - St John Vianney High School". www.vianney.com. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  3. ^ St. Louis Post Dispatch, February 24, 2006, C5
  4. ^ a b msorkin@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8347, Michael D. Sorkin (28 April 2014). "Priest removed after accusations of abuse at Vianney High School has died". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2022-07-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ St. Louis Post Dispatch, June 27, 2007, C8
  6. ^ "Kirkwood priest removed after abuse complaint dies". AP NEWS. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  7. ^ St. Louis Post Dispatch, October 12, 2006, C1
  8. ^ Cummings, Travis (2023-04-26). "Former school nurse fired for inappropriate contact with student at Vianney High School". KSDK. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  9. ^ Benchaabane, Nassim (5 May 2023). "Former St. John Vianney school nurse charged with sex crimes against underage student". STL Today. Ray Farris. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  10. ^ Obradovic, Monica. "Former St. John Vianney Nurse Pleads Guilty to Sex Crime Against Student". Riverfront Times. Retrieved 2 August 2024.