St. Peter's Boys High School

The origins of St. Peter's Boys' High School can be traced back to 1839, with the dedication of St. Peter's parish. With the arrival of three Christian Brothers in 1917, the school was founded on Richmond Terrace in the New Brighton area of Staten Island. Father Joseph Farrell and other local clergy took over operation of the school in 1920 when the Brothers were withdrawn due to World War I. The Brothers would return ten years later in 1930. At this time, there were more Brothers at the school than ever before. In 1937, the main campus of St. Peter's Boys' HS, was designated as a junior college of Manhattan College, another Lasallian institution. By 1943, the junior college closed and St. Peter's Boys High School relocated to that campus. The main campus of St. Peter's Boys High School has remained there since, on the corner of Clinton and Henderson Avenues.

The institution maintains an alumni community, including the St. Peter's High School Glee Club and Seton Chorale Alumni who organize an annual scholarship benefit Christmas concert for their late instructor, Carl Lesch.[2][3]

In 1965, the Archdiocese of New York agreed to assist in the funding of a new gymnasium, which would also serve as the school's auditorium. By 1969, however, the school's closing was imminent. The community rallied around St. Peter's and local support prevented the school from closing. As of 2001, the school's enrollment was 740 students. The Brothers' involvement in the school has been in decline due to a continual decrease in men entering the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. In 2001, eight Brothers taught at the school along with two Sisters of St. Joseph and 31 lay faculty members. In 2009, the varsity football team won the CHSAA single A championship 41–0 against the Bishop Ford Falcons.[4] In 1989, senior Sal Kader and junior John Schwall won the NYC CHSAA wrestling individual championships at 177 and 119 pounds respectively. Kader also placed second overall in the NYS CHSAA state championship. In 1990, senior Patrick Hayes became the first St. Peter's grappler to win both championships and went on to wrestle in the overall NYS all-around championships.

All students enrolled at St. Peter's are expected to complete an academic program that includes four courses within the Religion Department, four courses within the English Department, four courses within the History Department, three within the Math Department, two courses in the sciences, three language courses, as well as an Art & Music course, a Health course, four years of physical education, and usually three elective courses. All "scholars students" are also required to complete at least two years of Latin.