Inside an exclusive, strict Long Island all-boys school that counts high-powered media stars, politicians, and CEOs as alumni
Chaminade High School is an all-boys Catholic school for grades 9 through 12.
Chaminade is in Mineola, New York, a town on Long Island less than an hour drive from Midtown Manhattan. Annual tuition is $10,960, though the school offers financial aid and merit scholarships.
Source: Chaminade
The school was founded in 1930 and current total enrollment is 1,700 students. Chaminade's website says it promotes a "rigorous co-curricular, liberal-arts curriculum in an atmosphere that emphasizes the development of Christian community and education of the heart."
Source: Chaminade
The school is named after the French priest William Joseph Chaminade who founded the Society of Mary in 1817. The Marianists also operate 18 other secondary schools and three colleges in the US.
Sources: Catholic Saints Info, Marianist
The dress code says that students must wear a dress shirt and tie along with a jacket or school sweater. Trousers must be clean and neatly pressed, white socks are not permitted, and dress shoes must be shined. Tattoos and long hair are also prohibited at Chaminade and students are expected to be clean shaven.
Source: Chaminade
Every class begins with a teacher-led prayer and confessions are heard twice a week. Students also attend religious retreats at three Chaminade Retreat Centers. All students take a religion class every school year.
Source: Chaminade
Every Chaminade graduate attends college, a service academy, or prep school. Many have gone on to become high-profile business executives and politicians.
Source: Chaminade
Former Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly is one of the most notable alumni of Chaminade. The 1967 graduate played goalie on the school's hockey team.
Source: Mineola Patch
There is a Chaminade connection between O'Reilly and his former Fox colleague Sean Hannity, whose son who went to Chaminade but did not graduate from the school. Hannity also attended a Catholic school on Long Island, the now-closed St. Pius X Preparatory Seminary.
Source: Adweek
In Chaminade's 2013 annual report, "Mr. & Mrs. Sean Hannity" are listed as donors for the Presidential Scholarship Program. Their gift to the school was between $150,000 and $299,000. O'Reilly is listed as a donor in the same range.
Source: CHS Annual Report
Fox isn't the only conservative news outlet with ties to Chaminade. Newsmax CEO and founder Christopher Ruddy graduated from the school in 1983. O'Reilly now has a show on Newsmax TV.
Source: Chaminade Tarmac
Former IBM CEO and Chairman Louis Gerstner Jr. graduated from Chaminade in 1959. He also worked as an executive at McKinsey & Co., American Express, and cookie-maker RJR Nabisco. The Washington Post called him "one of the most accomplished chief executives of his time."
Sources: Mineola Patch, Chaminade, Washington Post
Bob Wright, a long-time NBC executive, is also an alum. He took the network from $400 million in annual profits to $3.1 billion during his 21-year tenure and also served as vice chairman of General Electric until his retirement in 2008. Wright is the founder of Autism Speaks, a national charity focused on autism research and awareness.
Source: Investors.com
Chaminade also produces politicians on both sides of the aisle. Jack M. Martins served in the New York State Senate as a Republican from 2010 to 2016. Martins talked to students at his alma mater in 2011 and sponsored legislation to congratulate Chaminade's basketball team for winning the 2015 Long Island Championship.
Source: New York Senate
Thomas Suozzi is a Democratic member of Congress representing New York's 3rd district in Washington. He first won election in 2016 by defeating fellow alum Martins. Chaminade falls within the boundaries of the neighboring 4th district.
Source: Rep. Tom Suozzi
Former US Senator Al D'Amato is also a Chaminade alum. D'Amato, the last Republican to represent New York in the Senate, said of the school: "The Brothers instilled in me a sense of saying you do the best you can, and if you work as hard as you can and you do the best you can, you can live with what the results are."
Source: New York Magazine
Discipline is highly regarded at Chaminade. According to the school handbook, if a student earns 10 demerits, a letter is sent home listing misconducts. Upon a student's 20th demerit they will receive suspension, and the 30th warrants expulsion.
Source: Chaminade
Students can participate on the Flyers' athletic teams in traditional sports like football and lacrosse and unique high school teams like crew, bowling, and riflery.
Source: Chaminade
Like many schools today, technology is an integral part of classes. Each student is given an iPad for school work. Students are required to take a basic technology course in their freshman and sophomore years, while a course using Bloomberg financial software is required for juniors and seniors.
Source: Chaminade
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