Xaverian holds historic co-ed orientation day

A year after making the major announcement that it would open up its high school classes to girls, the all-boy Xaverian High School of Bay Ridge is one step closer to going co-ed.

On Saturday, March 19, the school — which has long admitted girls to its middle school Genesis program — held its historic first co-ed high school orientation day for the class of 2020.

Around 325 students attended the event, over 120 of whom were young women. The students, dressed in school attire, and their parents heard from Xaverian President Robert Alesi as he discussed the progress of the school’s future plans.

“We are thrilled be able to provide young women, including our own middle school students, the same opportunities for a Xaverian High School education that our boys have,” said Alesi, who graduated from the school in 1978. “We are confident that by accepting talented young women to our high school, we will not only strengthen our school, but we will also strengthen Catholic education within our community as well.”

“I think the thing that I have been most gratified by is the absolute excitement from the young men and young women who are making history by joining this class,” added Director of Admissions Mark Spelman.

During the orientation, students were able to join clubs and sports teams, and were broken into groups so they could meet one another. Administration also outlined the school’s plans, such as the renovation of bathrooms, locker rooms and security system, as well as the relocation of the Genesis Middle School to free up nine classrooms for the high school program, allowing for technological upgrades such as installing 70” LED HDTV screens.

Xaverian alumni, parents and former teachers have weighed in with mostly positive feedback regarding the school’s transformation.

“To us graduates, it has always been the Xaverian brotherhood, and you don’t want to see that disappear,” said Richard Diffendale, class of 2002. “However, the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Why shouldn’t the young women of our community have the chance to experience all the wonderful things that Xaverian has to offer?”

Penney Santo, parent of a Xaverian student, has also embraced the change.

“All parents, I believe, are always concerned about change,” she said. “However, I truly believe Xaverian has so much to offer our youth and these changes will be successful.”

However, not everyone agrees with the move.

“As a proud Xaverian alum, I cannot say that I am in favor of the school going co-ed,” said Jonathan Bernstein, who graduated in 2002.  “Aside from the great education that Xaverian offered, to me what made it such a great high school experience was the ‘brotherhood’ type of feeling amongst fellow students and teachers. With Xaverian going co-ed, I don’t know if the school will have that same brotherhood feel.”