St. Mary's Preparatory

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{{Infobox school

| name = St. Mary's Preparatory

| logo = Orchard Lake Schools Seal.png

| logo_size = 150

| streetaddress = 3535 Commerce Road

| city = Orchard Lake Village

| state = Michigan

| zipcode = 48324

| country = USA

| religion = Roman Catholic

| oversight =

| trustee =

| founder = Joseph Dabrowski

| headmaster = Bob Pyles

| ratio = 13:1

| type = Private, Co-divisional.

| grades = 9–12

| campus_type = Suburban/Rural

| campus size = {{convert|125|acres}}

| conference = Catholic High School League

| slogan =

| song =

| fightsong = Hail Mary

| motto = "Initium Sapientiae Timor Domini"

| motto_translation = The beginning of wisdom is the fear of God.

| accreditation = Michigan Non-Public Schools Accrediting Association

| rival =

| patron = St. Mary

| nickname = Eaglets

| colors = Red, white and black
{{color box|red}} {{color box|white}} {{color box|black}}

| yearbook =

| publication =

| newspaper =

| established = 1885

| status =

| closed =

| enrollment = 515

| enrollment_as_of = 2021

| homepage = {{URL|http://www.stmarysprep.com}}

| module = {{Infobox NRHP

| embed = yes

| name = St. Mary's Preparatory

| partof = Orchard Lake Schools Historic District

| partof_refnum = 82002859{{NRISref|2009a}}

| nrhp_type = cp | nocat = yes

| image =

| caption =

| location= Indian Trail, Orchard Lake, Michigan

| coordinates = {{coord|42|35|38|N|83|21|28|W|display=inline,title}}

| locmapin = Michigan#USA

| architecture = Gothic, Tudor Revival, Queen Anne

| designated_nrhp_type = March 19, 1982

}}

St. Mary's Preparatory, often referred to as "Orchard Lake St. Mary's (OLSM)" or "St. Mary's Prep," is a private, co-divisional, Catholic college preparatory located in the Detroit, Michigan suburb of Orchard Lake Village.{{cite web |title=OLSM Admissions |url=http://www.olsmadmissions.com |publisher=St. Mary's Prep |access-date=25 October 2021}} Its core values are "God, Family, St. Mary's."{{cite web |title=St. Mary's Prep About |url=http://www.stmarysprep.com/about |publisher=St. Mary's Prep |access-date=25 October 2021}} The school offers both day school or either a five or seven day boarding school program.

History

On January 14, 1879, Pope Leo XIII, responding to a petition by Rev. Leopold Moczygemba, authorized the establishment of a seminary specifically dedicated to training priests to serve Polish-American immigrant communities in the United States.

The institution, initially known as "The Polish Seminary," was formally realized in 1885 through the efforts of Rev. Joseph Dabrowski. Dabrowski secured approval from Caspar Borgess, the Bishop of the Diocese of Detroit to construct a seminary building at 4671 St. Aubin Street in Detroit, Michigan, and to organize the institution’s academic curriculum. Rev. Dabrowski subsequently became the seminary's first rector.

The continued growth in student enrollment and the subsequent need for expanded facilities prompted the second rector, Rev. Witold Buchaczkowski, to relocate the seminary in 1909 from its urban Detroit location to the campus of the former Michigan Military Academy in the rural village of Orchard Lake, Michigan.

Originally, the academic program of the seminary comprised ten years of instruction divided into two distinct parts: a five-year preparatory classical curriculum and an advanced five-year division, consisting of two years devoted to philosophy and three years to theology. In 1927, a significant administrative restructuring took place, resulting in the creation of three separate but affiliated four-year institutions: SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, St. Mary’s College (now a satellite campus of Madonna University), and St. Mary’s Preparatory. Collectively, these institutions became known as the Orchard Lake Schools.

The current St. Mary's Prep mascot is a result of this spilt into distinct institutions as St. Mary's College took the mascot Eagles for their athletic teams, in honor of the Polish Eagle. St. Mary's Prep thus became the Eaglets. Efforts in the past to change the mascot have failed due to alumni disapproval.

In 2020, St. Mary's Preparatory transitioned to a co-divisional education model by opening its admissions to female students. All classes are taught in single-sex classrooms, however extracurriculars, clubs, sports teams, and arts programs are co-educational.

Academics

St. Mary's academic program is designed to meet the entrance requirements for any college curriculum. Requirements for graduation are four years of Catholic theology and English; four years of mathematics; three years of science and social studies; three years of a foreign language; and a semester each of computer programming, computer applications, physical education, health, fine arts, and speech. Students are required to fulfill 28 credits for graduation.{{cite web |title=OLSM Admissions |url=http://www.olsmadmissions.com |publisher=St. Mary's Prep |access-date=25 October 2021}} Over 60% of the 90 different courses offered by St. Mary's Prep from grades 9-12 are at the honors and AP levels.{{cite web |title=OLSM Admissions |url=http://www.olsmadmissions.com |publisher=St. Mary's Prep |access-date=25 October 2021}}

All students are educated in the Catholic tradition, regardless of their religious heritage or identification. This tradition includes four years of theology in the classroom as well as attendance at Mass twice weekly. Class retreat and other activities are available for students. The school chaplain and many campus priests can guide students regarding their individual programs.

A full-time guidance counselor assists students in selecting colleges and universities. The school held the national record for most students in a single year to go to the U.S. Naval Academy (4).

St. Mary's Preparatory is fully accredited and licensed by the State of Michigan's Department of Education, the Michigan Non-Public Schools Accrediting Association (MNSAA), the Archdiocese of Detroit, the Detroit Catholic League, the Oakland Schools Consortium, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association.{{cite web|title=St. Mary's School Statistics|url=http://stmarysprep.com/pages/stat.htm}}

Campus and student life

File:StMarysprepbuilding.jpg, it is now home to many administrative offices, one student lounge, thirteen classrooms, and two computer labs.]] Students walk from class to class as they are located in the numerous campus buildings. The outside walks offer scenic views of Orchard Lake and Apple Island.

Campus buildings include the Chapel of Our Lady of Orchard Lake - Archdiocesan Shrine of St. John Paul II, a hockey arena, a multiple libraries, a large Marian grotto, a three-story residence hall, a bookstore, two gymnasiums, a science center, administration buildings, a laboratory and science building, a field house, and a dining hall. It has a quarter of a mile of beach on Orchard Lake open only to members of the school community.

The Eaglets compete in the MHSAA Division I, II, and III, depending on the sport. In the Detroit Catholic League, they compete in the large school Central Division. St. Mary's traditional conference rivals are Birmingham Brother Rice and Detroit Catholic Central High School. Traditional non-conference rivals are Detroit Country Day School, Cranbrook Schools (hockey), and Clarkston High School (Michigan) (basketball).

A high percentage of students participate in sports. The boys division offers 14 varsity sports: football, basketball, baseball, bowling, track and field, cross country, golf, wrestling, crew, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, skiing, and snowboarding. The Girl's Division offers skiing, cheerleading, soccer, volleyball, basketball, crew, track and field.{{cite web |title=OLSM Admissions |url=http://www.olsmadmissions.com |publisher=St. Mary's Prep |access-date=25 October 2021}} The Eaglets have won many league, district, and regional titles in its history. {{As of|2019}}, it had 41 Michigan State Championships. In 1998 the school's rowing team placed second in the Henley Royal Regatta. The Eaglet football team reached the state finals fourteen times, winning eight times. In 2021, the Eaglet baseball team won the high school baseball National Championship, it was the first time that a team from Michigan had won the National Championship, the Eaglets won it while finishing 43-1 on the season.{{cite web|title=OLSM Football Archives|url=http://www.olsmathletics.com/football/archives/mhsaa_finals.htm}}{{cite web|title=MHSAA Football Yearly Champions|url=http://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/Scores/YearlyChampions.aspx}}

The athletic facilities include an athletic center with a hockey arena, a weight room, an indoor track, locker rooms, a banquet hall, and a basketball gymnasium. The crew team has its own boathouse just off Orchard Lake. Outdoors, St. Mary's has two football fields, two baseball diamonds, and a basketball court. The St. Mary's Ski team practices at Alpine Valley Snow Ski Area in White Lake, Michigan.

Museums

The "Ark Building" contains the Polish Home Army Museum. The Ark Building also houses many other museums of Polish military history and Polish history in different rooms including the Reading Room of the Central-Archives of Polonia; Museum of Fr. Józef Dąbrowski; Museum of the Polish Army Second Corps; Archive and Museum of Polonia Radio and TV, Robert Lewandowski Collection; Commemorative Room of Polish Diaspora; Archive, Library, and Museum of the First Polish Armored Division; Archive, Library, and Museum of the Polish Home Army AK; Archive, Library, and Museum of the Polish Air Force; Museum of the Singers Alliance of America – Circuit 4; Museum of the Polish National Alliance, Aloysius A. Mazewski Collection; Dr. Loda and Edward C. Rózanski Collection; Museum of the Polish Falcons – Nest 31; and the Museum of the Polish Association of Former Political Prisoners.{{cite web|title=Museums|url=http://www.stmarysprep.com/pages/museums.html|publisher=St. Mary's Prep|access-date=26 November 2015}}

The Galeria (Building #8) museum features art by Polish artists, including painting, sculpture, china, and antique furniture.

The museums are open for tours on Polish Sundays, the first Sunday of the month.

Boarding program

There are seven-day and five-day boarding students.

Notable alumni

Walter Ciszek, Jesuit priest and missionary, Servant of God
Adam Joseph Maida – Cardinal Archbishop of Detroit (1990-2009); created cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 1994.
Jay Penske – Founder and CEO of Penske Media Corporation; owner of Dragon/Penske Autosport Formula E team.{{cite web | url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Penske | title=Jay Penske }}
Msgr. Stanley E. Milewski – Chancellor of Orchard Lake Schools (1977-2000) and namesake of Milewski Field.{{cite web | url=https://piastinstitute.org/members-emeritus.html | title=Members Emeritus }}
Msgr. Walter J. Ziemba – Rector of SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary (1969-1987) and longtime Orchard Lake historian.{{cite web | url=https://detroitcatholic.com/news/msgr-ziemba-who-served-orchard-lake-bl-john-paul-ii-dies-at-85 | title=MSGR. Ziemba, who served Orchard Lake, Bl. John Paul II, dies at 85 }}
Very Rev. Canon Thomas C. Machalski Jr. – Chancellor-Rector of Orchard Lake Schools (2012-2018); Catholic chaplain to the New York Mets.{{cite web | url=https://thetablet.org/father-machalski-installed-as-st-marys-chancellor/ | title=Father Machalski Installed as St. Mary's Chancellor | date=February 22, 2012 }}
Rev. Stanley Ulman – Detroit-area priest and Polish-American community leader.https://www.stmarysprep.com/alumni (“Fr. Stan Ulman (P’64) – 50 Years a Priest”)
Rev. Leonard F. Chrobot – Catholic priest, author and former president of St. Mary’s College, Orchard Lake (Class of 1956).
Lawrence W. Kulik – U.S. Air Force staff sergeant, decorated Vietnam War veteran, honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Roll of Honor (Class of 1968).
Leonard S. Suchyta – Vice-President & Associate General Counsel for Intellectual Property, Verizon Communications (2000-2011).https://www.sscms.edu/trustees (Trustees bio)
Joseph Majcher – Former mayor (and current councilman) of Orchard Lake Village; retired General Motors executive and engineer.{{cite web | url=https://www.sscms.edu/trustees | title=Trustees }}
Mac Watts – Nashville country singer-songwriter.https://www.stmarysprep.com/alumni (“Mac Watts (P’06)”)
Ludvik F. Koci – Former President & CEO, Detroit Diesel Allison Corp.; longtime Penske Corporation director.{{cite web | url=https://www.sscms.edu/trustees | title=Trustees }}
Walter Knysz, DDS – Founder of Great Expressions Dental Centers and UnifiedSmiles practice-management network.{{cite web | url=https://www.sscms.edu/trustees | title=Trustees }}
Timothy F. Whalen - Rector (ecclesiastical) of Saint Vincent Seminary
Joseph T. Lentine – Founder and CEO of DENCAP Dental Plans; former CFO of Orchard Lake Schools.{{cite web | url=https://www.sscms.edu/trustees | title=Trustees }}
Rev. Remek Błaszkowski, J.C.D. – Canon lawyer; pastor of San Jose Parish (Jacksonville); former seminary vice-rector.{{cite web | url=https://www.sscms.edu/trustees | title=Trustees }}
Gary Michalik – Archdiocese of Detroit priest; veteran trustee and finance-committee member of Orchard Lake Schools.{{cite web | url=https://www.sscms.edu/trustees | title=Trustees }}
Leonard F. Chrobot – Academic dean (1968-1976) and president (1977-1987) of St. Mary’s College; noted scholar of Polish-American studies.{{cite web | url=https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/fr-leonard-francis-chrobot | title=Fr. Leonard Francis Chrobot }}
Thomas John Paprocki – Bishop of Springfield (Illinois) since 2010; Orchard Lake Schools trustee.{{cite web | url=https://polishweekly.com/what-really-is-behind-the-decision-to-close-the-polish-seminary-in-orchard-lake/ | title=What really is behind the decision to close the Polish Seminary in Orchard Lake? | date=July 21, 2021 }}
Jeff Petry, a professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL)
Josh Bourke, a former Canadian football offensive lineman who spent the majority of his professional career with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL)
David Bowens, a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL)
Charles Davis, a former American football tight end
K. J. Hamler is a current American football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the NFL
Ralph Holley is a current American football defensive lineman for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL
Gary Ignasiak is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) player who played part of one season with the Detroit Tigers
Mike Ignasiak, a former MLB pitcher who pitched parts of four seasons in the major leagues between {{Baseball year|1991}} and {{Baseball year|1995}}, all for the Milwaukee Brewers
Filmel Johnson is a former American football defensive back who played one season for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL
Scott Kowalkowski is a former American football linebacker who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions in a ten-year career that lasted from 1991 to 2001 in the NFL
Jim Paciorek, former professional baseball player
Brock Porter, a baseball player in the Texas Rangers organization{{cite web |title=Brock Porter Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.milb.com/player/brock-porter-702548 |website=MiLB.com |language=en}}
Caden Prieskorn, is a college football player{{cite web |title=Caden Prieskorn - Football - Post Graduate |url=https://athletics.forkunion.com/sports/football/roster/caden-prieskorn/2038 |website=Fork Union Military Academy Athletics |language=en}}
Leonard Renfro, former American football defensive tackle who played two seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL
Allen Robinson is a current American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the NFL
Sam Rogers, a former American football linebacker in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills, the San Diego Chargers, and the Atlanta Falcons
Dion Sims, an American football tight end for the Chicago Bears of the NFL
Morgan Trent is a former American football cornerback in the NFL

Notable former faculty

Dan Gheesling, Winner of Big Brother 10. Asst. Coach of a Football team, & Teacher of Health, Biology, & Physical Education at St. Mary's.
Jeff Wall (lawyer), former civics teacher
George Porritt, MHSAA Hall of Fame, former Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, Head Basketball Coach, Head Lacrosse Coach