De Smet Jesuit High School

Honors courses are offered in math, English, foreign language, social studies, fine arts, and science, totaling 130 college credit hours. Honors students average a score of 31 on the ACT, and grades for honors courses are weighted when calculating grade-point average. The entire curriculum is college prep, but there is a full-service learning center to assist students needing extra help. All students lease a tablet PC, featuring a pen and multi-touch display as well as speech/audio recognition. Moodle is used to facilitate teacher communication with students and parents.

De Smet Jesuit facilities include a 353-seat performing arts theater.{{Cite news|url=http://www.m2astudio.com/projects/view/de-smet-jesuit-high-school-fine-arts-theaterauditorium/|title=De Smet Jesuit, Fine Arts Theater/Auditorium {{!}} M² Architecture Studio|work=M² Architecture Studio|access-date=2017-03-23|language=en-US|archive-date=March 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324120950/http://www.m2astudio.com/projects/view/de-smet-jesuit-high-school-fine-arts-theaterauditorium/|url-status=dead}}

De Smet Jesuit fields 53 teams in 19 sports, four of them non-cut.{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmet.org/athletics/welcome|title=SLUH West - Welcome|website=www.desmet.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-23}} De Smet Jesuit competes in the large school division in the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) and has won 43 state championships: basketball six times (1973, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1999, 2024), soccer six times (1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2011, 2019), golf five times (1983, 1985, 1986, 2003, 2021), hockey (Mid-States Club Hockey Association)

17 times,{{cite web|url=http://www.desmethockey.com|title=About|website=De Smet Jesuit Hockey Club|access-date=March 4, 2024}} tennis twice (1986, 1987), football three times (2005, 2019, 2024), baseball twice (2000, 2019{{cite web|last=Uptain|first=Greg|date=June 2, 2019|title=De Smet holds off Marquette to win Class 5 championship|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/baseball/de-smet-holds-off-marquette-to-win-class-championship/article_46d8239c-8317-11e9-b446-0f1787a4f613.html|url-status=live|access-date=June 17, 2019|website=StL Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608065508/https://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/baseball/de-smet-holds-off-marquette-to-win-class-championship/article_46d8239c-8317-11e9-b446-0f1787a4f613.html |archive-date=June 8, 2019 }}), swimming and diving once (2002),{{Cite news|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/desmet-upsets-parkway-south-to-take-missouri-boys-high-school-crown/|title=DeSmet Upsets Parkway South to Take Missouri Boys' High School Crown - Swimming World News|date=2002-02-15|work=Swimming World News|access-date=2017-12-30|language=en-US}} cross country once (1983),{{Cite web|url=http://www.mshsaa.org/resources/pdf/State%20Championship%20Histories%20by%20Sport.pdf|title=MSHSAA state championships history|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-date=February 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223165850/http://www.mshsaa.org/resources/pdf/State%20Championship%20Histories%20by%20Sport.pdf|url-status=dead}} and water polo once (2010).{{Cite web|url=http://www.mowaterpolo.com/past-missouri-high-school-state-championship-results/|title=Past Missouri High School State Championship Results|website=www.mowaterpolo.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-24}} The school competes in the Metro Catholic Conference along with fellow private schools Chaminade College Preparatory School, Christian Brothers College High School, St. Louis University High School, and St. John Vianney High School. De Smet Jesuit has won the MCC All-Sports Trophy 11 times in the 21-year existence of the conference.{{cite web|url=https://www.desmet.org/athletics/welcome|title=Teams & Schedules - De Smet Jesuit|website=www.DeSmet.org|access-date=December 29, 2017}}

Three of De Smet Jesuit's six state basketball championships came under coach Rich Grawer, who went on to coach at University of Missouri and St. Louis University. His 1979 team went undefeated, 32–0.{{Cite news|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/thirty-years-ago-a-perfect-season-a-desmet-team-led/article_4b7b3199-3fde-5bec-9268-7041578f9186.html|title=Thirty years ago, a perfect season De Smet Jesuit team led by Steve Stipanovich (right) went 32-0 during a winning streak that reached 63 the next season, a state record for large schools. High school boys basketball|last=Post-Dispatch|first=Tom Klein St. Louis|work=stltoday.com|access-date=2017-03-23|language=en}} His teams also established the current Missouri state large-school record for winning streaks at 63 games.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mshsaa.org/resources/pdf/BoysBasketballTeamSeason_12017.pdf|title=Basketball all-time winning streak|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325024609/http://www.mshsaa.org/resources/pdf/BoysBasketballTeamSeason_12017.pdf|archive-date=2017-03-25|url-status=dead|access-date=24 March 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.stlshof.com/rich-grawer/|title=Rich Grawer – St Louis Sports Hall of Fame|website=www.stlshof.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-24}}

The Spartans won the 2005 Missouri Class 6 State Championship under head coach Patrick Mahoney and now have won the 2019 Missouri Class 6 State Championship under current head coach, former Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings and Class of 2008 alumnus Robert Steeples. De Smet added a third football state championship in 2024. Recent notable athletes at De Smet Jesuit include Ray Agnew III,Ray Agnew III{{Circular reference|date=November 2017}} Robert Steeples,{{cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/football/steeples-puts-aside-nfl-dreams-takes-over-as-de-smet/article_1da2163c-baec-11e5-bd18-0fe1ffae972b.html|title=Steeples puts aside NFL dreams, takes over as De Smet coach|first=David|last=Kvidahl|website=StLToday.com|date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=December 29, 2017}} KeVonn Mabon.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/ball-state/2016/11/24/after-breaking-records-kevonn-mabon-wonders-whats-next/94376548/|title=After breaking records, KeVonn Mabon wonders what's next|website=JSOnline.com|access-date=December 29, 2017}} and Christian Gray.

The soccer program has captured six state titles, four of which occurred during a seven year run in the 1990s, winning championships in alternating years: 1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997. The fifth came in 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/all-metro/boys-soccer/louie-berra-sr-midfielder-desmet/article_2a9556ce-2b94-11e1-bcdd-0019bb30f31a.html|title=Louie Berra, sr., midfielder, De Smet Jesuit|website=StLToday.com|date=December 22, 2011 |access-date=December 29, 2017}} Longtime head coach Greg Vitello led the program from 1969 to 2014. He is the third-winningest high school coach in United States history.{{cite web|url=https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/high-school-soccer-article/nations-winningest-hs-coaches-set-to-clash_aid37728|title=Nation's winningest HS coaches set to clash - High School Soccer News|website=topdrawersoccer.com|access-date=December 29, 2017}} During his time at De Smet, Vitello won five state championships and 33 district championships, and paved the way for five young men to compete on the US national team.{{cite web|url=http://soccerstl.net/2014/03/31/desmet-soccer-coach-greg-vitello-retiring/|title=DeSmet Soccer Coach Greg Vitello Retiring - Soccer STL|date=March 31, 2014|website=SoccerStL.net|access-date=December 29, 2017}} Notable players under Vitello included 1987 National Gatorade player of the year Brian Donnelly; 1998 Parade Magazine Soccer Player of the Year Bill McKeon; his brother Matt McKeon, the 1991 Gatorade Circle of Champions Soccer Player of the Year and the 1995 National Collegiate Player of the Year; Chris Klein, the 1993 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Player of the Year; Pat Noonan, the 1997 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Player of the Year; Mike Ambersley, a 2000 Parade Magazine All American and Missouri Player of the Year; and Will Bruin, a 2008 Parade Magazine All-American, a three-time Missouri State High School Soccer Coaches Association Player of the Year, the 2007 Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year and the 2007 Post-Dispatch Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://old.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=8023|title=NFHS - St. Louis is nation's hotbed of high school boys soccer|website=old.NFHS.org|access-date=December 29, 2017|archive-date=April 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419192217/http://old.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=8023|url-status=dead}} Vitello stepped down in 2014, which vaulted Class of 1997 alum Josh Klein to the head coaching position.{{cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/boys-soccer/klein-tapped-to-lead-de-smet-soccer/article_ed1687e0-df79-11e3-b1a5-0017a43b2370.html|title=Klein tapped to lead De Smet soccer|author=Staff report|website=StLToday.com|date=May 19, 2014 |access-date=December 29, 2017}}

A student Core Team, composed of juniors and seniors who meet during homeroom, is vitally involved in invigorating all aspects of the Campus Ministry program. Students are, further, encouraged to write prayers for the opening and closing of the school day and reflections for the Friday Holy Hour, and plan liturgies; they also network with youth groups at other schools{{Cite web|url=http://jesuits.org/news-detail?TN=NEWS-20131113065615|title=Charities Win When Jesuit High Schools Make World Series Wager|website=jesuits.org|access-date=2017-03-23|archive-date=March 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324173730/http://jesuits.org/news-detail?TN=NEWS-20131113065615|url-status=dead}} and parishes.

All freshmen make the El Camino retreat in which they come to see life as a journey, with role models, heroes, and acceptance of oneself. It is led by seniors and includes team-building exercises, small-group discussions, and faith sharing. The Kairos retreat runs three days and is led by seniors who have made it. It emphasizes peer leadership and ministry to build solidarity, based on the experience of God's love in our lives. Follow-up gatherings are held for those attending the retreat. The senior retreat lasts two full days and introduces retreatants to various methods of prayer from St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises, directed toward a facility at finding God in all things.{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmet.org/campus-ministry/retreats|title=De Smet Jesuit High School - Retreats|website=www.desmet.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-23}}

Freshmen serve the school community at school events. Sophomores assist at school and are also encouraged to volunteer in their neighborhood and church communities. Juniors select from more than 120 area service agencies; they go out on Mondays and their experiences are incorporated into class on Tuesdays. Many are drawn to tutoring children or recreating with them, at inner-city grade schools, homeless shelters, and in Head Start programs; they also work with children having learning disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, or behavioral disorders. The elderly in nursing homes offer a mutually enriching experience for many. Seniors continue on and deepen their experience from junior year. There have also been service-learning trips to Honduras, Belize, South Dakota, and New Orleans, to learn and grow by working with those in need.{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmet.org/campus-ministry/service|title=De Smet Jesuit High School - Service|website=www.desmet.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-23}}

The school uses graduates of Jesuit schools as Alum Service Corps volunteers and 17 of these have become full-time teachers at De Smet Jesuit.{{Cite news|url=https://alumservicecorps.org/where-asc-serves/de-smet-high-school/|title=De Smet Jesuit High School - Alum Service Corps|work=Alum Service Corps|access-date=2017-03-23|language=en-US}}

Mass is celebrated daily at 8:00 am. Each Friday there is a Holy Hour along with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Ten large Eucharistic celebrations are held throughout the year, incorporating Holy Days or special events like Mass of the Holy Spirit, Missioning, Thanksgiving, Fr. De Smet's birthday, family Masses with BBQ or breakfast, Ring Mass, and graduation.

A Christian Life Community group meets weekly for prayer and reflection, focused on Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and on finding God in one's daily life. De Smet in Prayer (DIP) has a breakfast meeting before school once each week to discuss, reflect, and pray together on living out one's faith as brothers in the Lord.{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmet.org/campus-ministry/liturgy-and-worship|title=De Smet Jesuit High School - Liturgy and Worship|website=www.desmet.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-23}}

In 2016, three De Smet Jesuit students won the North American sector of the St. Francis Xavier Global Instagram Competition whose purpose was "to convey a message of hope, zeal, sustainability, diversity and belonging to a global community."{{Cite news|url=https://www.educatemagis.org/blogs/2016-sfx-instagram-competition-winners-announced/|title=The 2016 SFX Instagram Competition Winners Announced! - Educate Magis : Educate Magis|work=Educate Magis|access-date=2017-03-23|language=en-US}}

• Ray Agnew III – former NFL player and pro scout for the New York Jets
• Blake Ahearn – assistant coach for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA)
• Mike Ambersley – MLS forward
• Sam Bick – played for US national soccer team
• Will Bruin – Major League Soccer forward for Seattle Sounders FC
• Eric Delabar – professional soccer player, manager of Maryville University's men's and women's teamsEric Delabar{{Circular reference|date=November 2017}}
• Trent Frederic – Boston Bruins hockey player, Big 10 Freshman of the Year at the University of Wisconsin, 2016 first-round draft pick{{cite web|url=http://fox2now.com/2016/06/25/five-st-louis-hockey-players-drafted-in-nhls-first-round/|title=Five St. Louis Hockey Players Drafted in NHL's First Round|date=June 25, 2016|website=Fox2Now.com|access-date=December 29, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.desmethockey.com/|title=desmethockey|website=desmethockey|access-date=2017-12-30}}
• Steve Fuchs – played for US national soccer teamSteve Fuchs{{Circular reference|date=November 2017}}
• Christian Gray – college football cornerback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish{{cite web |last1=Sampson |first1=Pete |title=Christian Gray’s first Notre Dame spring: Movie nights, lofty goals and blue-chip potential |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4279715/2023/03/06/christian-gray-notre-dame-recruiting/ |website=The Athletic |date=March 6, 2023 |access-date=December 4, 2024}}
• Bob Keppel – Major League Baseball pitcher
• Chris Klein - president of Los Angeles Galaxy and MLS midfielder
• KeVonn Mabon – former NFL wide receiver for Tennessee Titans{{cite web|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/ball-state/2016/11/24/after-breaking-records-kevonn-mabon-wonders-whats-next/94376548/|title=After breaking records, KeVonn Mabon wonders what's next|date=November 24, 2016|website=Tennessean.com|access-date=December 29, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thestarpress.com/story/sports/college/ball-state/2017/04/29/after-talking-colts-ball-states-kevonn-mabon-signs-titans/101085726/|title=Ball State sends 5 to NFL as undrafted free agents|date=April 29, 2017|website=TheStarPress.com|access-date=December 29, 2017}}
• Mac Markway – college football tight end for the LSU Tigers and the Nebraska Cornhuskers{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college/iowa/football/mac-markway-reflects-on-iowa-junior-day-visit|title=Mac Markway Reflects on Iowa Junior Day|magazine=Sports Illustrated|first=Rob|last=Howe|date=February 2, 2022|access-date=May 20, 2025}}
• Matt McKeon – played for US National and Olympic soccer team, MLS midfielder, Hermann Trophy recipientMatt McKeon{{Circular reference|date=November 2017}}
• Bill Mueller – MLB third baseman, 2003 American League batting champion
• Pat Noonan – assistant coach for US National Soccer Team and Los Angeles Galaxy, former Major League Soccer forward{{cite web|url=https://www.ussoccer.com/mens-national-team/mnt-coaching-staff|title=Coaching Staff|website=www.USSoccer.com|access-date=December 29, 2017}}
• Steve Stipanovich - McDonald’s high school all-American, University of Missouri, and Indiana Pacers
• Tony Vitello – University of Tennessee baseball head coach{{cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/eye-on-the-tigers/vols-hire-former-mizzou-player-tony-vitello-as-baseball-coach/article_ed73465f-5492-50c7-bb47-281f84640f36.html|title=Vols hire former Mizzou player Tony Vitello as baseball coach|first=Dave|last=Matter|website=StLToday.com|date=June 7, 2017 |access-date=December 29, 2017}}
• Mekhi Wingo – defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions[https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/de-smets-wingo-becomes-mizzous-first-2021-commitment/article_7b2da76b-d443-50f9-a290-0eeb1c938536.html De Smet's Wingo becomes Mizzou's first 2021 commitment]/

• Henry Autrey – United States federal judge, Eastern District of Missouri, also the first graduate from the first graduating class of 1971
• Tom Dempsey – Missouri state senator
• John Diehl – Former Speaker of the Missouri House of RepresentativesJohn Diehl (politician){{Circular reference|date=November 2017}}
• Bob Poe – Former Director of International Trade and Commissioner of Administration for the state of Alaska. Became the President and CEO of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation in 2004. In 2010, Poe became the first man in the history of Alaska to run for governor as a Democrat.Bob Poe{{Circular reference|date=November 2017}}
• Eric Schmitt – Current United States Senator / Missouri state treasurer/ Missouri Attorney General.

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• {{Official website|http://www.desmet.org/}}

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{{Creve Coeur, Missouri}}

{{Education in St. Louis County, Missouri}}

{{Jesuit Secondary Education Association}}

{{St. Louis Metro Area High Schools}}

{{Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis}}

{{Boys' schools in Missouri}}

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Category:Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis

Category:Boys' schools in the United States

Category:Educational institutions established in 1967

Category:Jesuit high schools in the United States

Category:Roman Catholic secondary schools in St. Louis County, Missouri

Category:1967 establishments in Missouri

Category:Buildings and structures in St. Louis County, Missouri

Category:Society of Jesus in Missouri