Academic Departments

Since education in Fine Arts is required in colleges around the nation, the goals and values of these areas (i.e., music, theater, and visual arts) do much for the education of the total person. The Fine Arts Department teaches not only to the intellect, but also to the aesthetic side of the human concentrating on the values of non-materialism, passion, respect, appreciation, compassion, and love. It is a discipline which teaches service to others in the form of plays, concerts, visual arts, and a better appreciation for the beauty in the world around us.

Students in the Class of 2017 and beyond are required to take a full credit in Fine Arts.  Half and full credit courses in Music, Theater, and the Visual Arts are available to students.  Other performance-oriented courses such as Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Forensics, and Individual Events Competition last the entire year, are open to all students in any grade, and are given one credit hour. These classes utilize varied teaching styles and offer an alternative to the "text-oriented" curriculum. Teachers work with the students on a one-to-one basis as much as possible fostering the growth of human creativity in the students.

Department Members:
Mrs. Sharon Sheara - Department Chair - 713.490.8122 - ssheara@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Guillermo Hernandez-Ching - 713.448.8445 - ghernandezching@strakejesuit.org

Mrs. Dawn Kelly - 713.490.8217 - dkelly@strakejesuit.org

Mrs. Marilyn Othon - 713.490.8240 - mothon@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Jesus Pacheco - 713.490.8256 - jpacheco@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Dan Pepe - 713.490.8443 - dpepe@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Ben Ware - 713.490.8248 - bware@strakejesuit.org

Computers are transforming our world. They are changing how we work, learn, interpret information, exchange ideas, and interact with each other. Strake Jesuit’s computer science curriculum is designed to stimulate a student’s curiosity as he begins to think computationally. Strake Jesuit students are asked to use logic and creativity to solve complex real-world problems using a computer.

All Strake Jesuit students are encouraged to take at least one year of computer science. Many students choose to continue their computer science studies and cover advanced topics such as application development, programming with data structures, database development, and project management. The Advanced Placement Computer Science as well as an honors Data Structures course are offered as part of the curriculum.

Strake Jesuit’s computer facilities include five computer labs dedicated to engineering and computer science, one lab dedicated to foreign language, one general resource computer lab.  All are equipped with projector, multimedia sounds system and Smartboard. In addition, there is an Apple Mac lab dedicated to Music, three portable notebook computer carts dedicated to the Science department and computer resource rooms dedicated to debate, SJET, yearbook and newspaper. There are thirty-six additional computers available to students throughout the day in the Moody Library. Each student receives a school-issued iPad, has his own personal network storage space, and is provided cloud-based school email and additional storage hosted by Google. 

Department Members:
Mr. Chuck Kenny - Department Chair - 713.490.8261 - ckenny@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Emmett Conlon- 713.490.8239 - econlon@strakejesuit.org

The accomplishments of an educated person necessarily include a mastery of language. Strake Jesuit's four-year English curriculum incorporates progressive challenges to students in the acquisition, understanding, and proficient use of verbal skills. Today, more than ever, individuals must be able to read and to listen with comprehension, grasping essential elements rapidly. They must become adept at discerning fact from innuendo, jargon, and doublespeak. Students need to develop analytical and composing skills in language not only for vocational and pragmatic purposes but also for aesthetic enrichment through artistic, social, and spiritual experiences.

The English program, therefore, stresses through a sequence: read, think, write. Composition provides a natural synthesizing tool for Jesuit's fused curriculum of all four language disciplines: vocabulary, grammar, literature, and writing. Teachers encourage excellence, for nothing short of the quest for mastery renders the student competent and confident in rhetoric, reading comprehension, literary analysis, vocabulary usage, and composition. Students at Strake Jesuit have a four-year English requirement with honors courses available beginning with the Sophomore year. Emphasis is placed on correct grammatical usage, a clear and expressive style of writing, vocabulary, and all types of literature.

Department Members:
Dr. Max Maier - Department Chair - 713.448.8432 - mmaier@strakejesuit.org

Ms. Jessica Batchelor - 713.490.8147 - jbatchelor@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Jason Brown - 713.490.4326 - jbrown@strakejesuit.org

Mrs. Lesley Clinton - 713.490.8215 - lclinton@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Kevin Demen - 713.448.8434 - kdemen@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Donovan Fikac - 713.490.8230 - dfikac@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Jason Ford - 713.272.4311 - jford@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Klay Kubiak - 713.272.4375 - kkubiak@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Matthew Kubus - 713.490.8232 - mkubus@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Brock Scheller - 713.490.8229 - bscheller@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Michael Sullivan '87 - 713.490.8227 - msullivan@strakejesuit.org

Ms. Mary Tarpey - 713.490.8158 - mtarpey@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Willard Volding - 713.490.8129 - wvolding@strakejesuit.org

Fr. Michael Wegenka - 713.490.4358 - mwegenka@strakejesuit.org 

Through the study of Latin, French, Spanish and Mandarin languages, the students at Jesuit are given the opportunity to learn and to become aware of cultures and languages rich in their impact on the American heritage.The need to understand and appreciate our neighbors and fellowman has never been greater. By learning more about others we learn more about ourselves, and through this we become better persons both for ourselves and for others.

Houston is in the middle of a strong Spanish-speaking environment. Business, politics, sports, technology, medicine, all aspects of life are often conducted around us in Spanish, and it is essential that the students of Strake Jesuit have the chance to see and study this world.

Likewise, the city maintains its prominence as an international center dealing with all parts of the globe. The French and Mandarin languages are being used daily by both visitors and locals in Houston.

Through the study of Latin, students gain a greater appreciation of the English language. They acquire an in-depth knowledge of the terminology of basic grammar in Latin and in English and of vocabulary with English derivatives. Also, students gain an understanding of the influence of Latin culture on Western culture in reference to literature, art, law, and principles of social and political organization.

A student at Strake Jesuit is required to take two years of a foreign language. Strake Jesuit does offer a placement exam in late April or early May to enable incoming students with a very solid background in the language of their choice to begin at the second-year level. 

Each year a number of our graduates tell us about placing out of a number of hours through placement tests at the college they are attending.

Department Members:
Mrs. Gabriela Granados - Department Chair - 713.490.8441 - ggranados@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Raul Garcia-Rameau - 713.490.8242 - rgarciarameau@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Kyle Gibson - 713.272.4312 - kgibson@strakejesuit.org

Fr. Doug Hypolite, S.J. - 713.490.8209 - dhypolite@strakejesuit.org

Ms. Maria Martin - 713.490.4368 - mmartin@strakejesuit.org

Mrs. Ione Meyer - 713.272.4373 - imeyer@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Gumaro Pedroza - 713.490.8211 - gpedroza@strakejesuit.org

Ms. Kristi Randazzo - 713.490.8150 - krandazzo@strakejesuit.org

Mrs. Eva Riojas - 713.490.8228 - eriojas@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Bill White - 713.272.4377 - bwhite@strakejesuit.org

Health & Physical Education teaches students concepts that help them understand themselves and their environment. It is unique because of the special topics that are addressed during the semester. Areas covered include personal health, social environment, and safety. The class supplies students with health information to encourage good health habits and foster positive attitudes. Students are taught to appreciate the value of having a healthy body. After completion of the health education courses, students will be able to:

• Care for common injuries and illnesses
• Relate the basic facts of weight control
• Improve attitudes toward personal health 
• Recognize bones and muscle function
• Describe how substance abuse damages the body
• Perform CPR during an emergency
• Learn proper use of AED Unit

During the course, students will study:
• structure & function of the human body
• disease and allergies
• the male & female reproduction system
• food labeling and food additives
• reasons why people start using drugs
• health in general
• ways to improve self-esteem and healthy self-concept

Physical Education is a one semester course that introduces the values of sound mind and sound body. The student will participate in components ranging from weight training, personal fitness, sport games, and aquatics. The goal is for students to improve their personal level of fitness through participation and adopt lifetime recreational habits.

Department Members:
Mr. Jeff Kipp - 713.490.8436 - Department Chair - jkipp@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Chad Collier - 713.490.8134 - ccollier@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Keith Duhon - 713.490.8252 - kduhon@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Mike Kerley - 713.490.8446 - mkerley@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Bill McDonald - 713.490.8226 - bmcdonald@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Willie Webster - 713.490.8214 - wwebster@strakejesuit.org

Mathematics can be described as the main driving force behind scientific discovery and engineering in our world. The mathematics requirement for all Jesuit students is the satisfactory completion of four years of mathematical study.

We have found that students are well-prepared for our mathematics curriculum if they have a solid foundation in adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing real numbers, and can apply the associated properties of real numbers.

Initial course placement for incoming freshmen is determined by performance on our placement test administered in the Spring. The majority of incoming freshmen are placed into algebra. Placement in subsequent years is determined by performance in the previous year’s math class. Regardless of freshman year placement, it is possible for any student to graduate having completed Calculus. Several course sequence possibilities are available.

AC designates a more demanding work load with greater GPA value. AP means college credit might be earned by taking an Advanced Placement test at the completion of the course. AP Calculus and AP Statistics are also AC courses. Placement in AC courses is an option only for students who excel in mathematics the preceding year. These placements are made based on performance through the third quarter.

Calculator Policy
Calculators are not permitted in Algebra I. A scientific calculator is sufficient for Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-calculus. Graphing calculators are required for Calculus, AP Calculus, and AP Statistics.

Department Members:
Ms. Krista Rueby - Department Chair - 713.272.4308 - krueby@strakejesuit.org

Mrs. Cheri Armstrong - 713.272.4305 - carmstrong@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Reynold D'Souza - 713.448.8437 - rdsouza@strakejesuit.org

Mrs. Natalee E. Hanna - 713.272.4376 - nhanna@strakejesuit.org

Mr. David Harvey '97 - 713.448.8431 - dharvey@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Brian Hearns - 713.272.4316 - bhearns@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Carlos Roman - 713.490.8110 - croman@strakejesuit.org

Mrs. Wanda Savage - 713.448.8433 - wsavage@strakejesuit.org

Mrs. Bree Smith - 713.490.8157 - bsmith@strakejesuit.org

Ms. Lauren Stockton - 713.490.4335 - lstockton@strakejesuit.org
  
Mr. Torey Tonche - 713.490.8246 - ttonche@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Peter Turrentine - 713.272.4383 - pturrentine@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Jacob Walker '10 - 713.272.4318 - jwalker@strakejesuit.org

Mrs. Jennifer Wilson - 713.490.4313 - jwilson@strakejesuit.org

Mr. J.P. Yakel - 713.490.4399 - jyakel@strakejesuit.org

In today's technologically advanced society, science and scientific understanding are considered a priority in any education system. Strake Jesuit offers a variety of course to complement the student's own objectives while achieving the school's requirements. We understand that not al students have the same proficiency in science now the same career goals. We do, however, feel that an understanding of general science it a necessity in society today. Included in such an understanding are: scientific method, problem solving, mathematical analysis, laboratory manipulations, ethical considerations, social considerations, historical perspectives, and current topics.

The Strake Jesuit Science Department will provide a great opportunity for your son to develop: critical thinking skills, a basic understanding of three major scientific fields, and practical real life situations in the laboratories, over the next for years. Strake Jesuit starts all Freshmen on the same foot in Biology 1 before they can choose more advanced classes. Because of the increasing use of technology, most classrooms are equipped with a Smart Board or Smart Sympodium to make learning fun, interactive, and challenging. Students in the lab will collect data using Venier probeware for many investigations. In the Biology lab students will also use digital microscopes to create many of their lab reports. To help make the adjustment into Strake Jesuit, many instructors will offer extra help before & after school, and during lunch.

Department Members:
Dr. Scott Berger - Department Chair - 713.490.8260 - sberger@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Edgar Diaz - 713.272.4319 - ediaz@strakejesuit.org

Mrs. Amy Doiron - 713.490.4331 - adoiron@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Beau Guedry '12 - 713.490.8128 - bguedry@strakejesuit.org

Mrs. Elizabeth Jamerlan - 713.490.8259 - ejamerlan@strakejesuit.org

Mr. John Jamerlan - 713.490.8258 - jjamerlan@strakejesuit.org

Ms. Emily Kohut - 713.490.4357 - ekohut@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Tatum Lynn - 713.490.8126 - tlynn@strakejesuit.org

Dr. Dan Martinez - 713.490.9115 - dmartinez@strakejesuit.org

Mrs. Kelley McGraw - 713.490.8435 - kmgcraw@strakejesuit.org

Ms. Cynthia Salvaggio - 713.490.8104 - csalvaggio@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Andrew Schaeperkoetter - 713.490.8216 - aschaeperkoetter@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Daminh Tran - 713.490.4387 - dtran@strakejesuit.org

Courses in the social studies provide student with an opportunity to systematically grow in competence and knowledge. Beginning with Geography in the freshman year followed by American History in the sophomore year, then with Government and Economics in the junior year, and culminating in the broad survey of World History and a one-semester course in History of Art in the senior year, the emphasis is on a comprehension of both the facts and the processes of history.

Jesuit students learn that cause begets effect. They also learn, however, that there are no single causes, no single effects in human affairs now or then. Every effort is made to provide students with the opportunity to comprehend the role played by environment (both physical and social) in the course of events. Additionally, the course work allows students to develop a dynamic understanding of basic social science concepts such as market economy, culture, socialization, institutions, governmental process, democracy, values, social class, justice, rights, and civic responsibilities. It is growth in these capacities for independent critical thought that provides the best indicator of student growth and achievement in the social studies. It is these same capacities that allow effective civic participation.

Social Studies at Strake Jesuit is a four-year program which allows students to explore how human beings have understood and ordered their lives and societies throughout the ages. Increasing students' awareness of the infinite and rich variety of the human experience fosters in them greater respect for all peoples and cultures. Additionally, it is the intent of the Social Studies program to develop students' ability to express themselves in an orderly and logical manner. Consequently, there is a great stress on oral and written communication, as well as the development of strong critical reading skills.|

Department Members:

Mr. Dominic Amorosa - Department Chair - 713.490.8257 - damorosa@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Kevin Anderson - 713.490.8137 - kanderson@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Murvin Auzenne - 713.490.8238 - mauzenne@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Jeffrey Carroll - 713.272.4320 - jcarroll@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Kelly Clemons - 713.490.8241 - kclemons@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Richard Clinton - 713.272.4374 - rclinton@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Nick Courtney, S.J. - 713.490.8249 - ncourtney@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Jerry Crist - 713.490.8251 - jcrist@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Michael Crowley - 713.490.8251 - damorosa@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Anson Fung, '15 - 713.490.4306 - afung@strakejesuit.org

Mr. John Gardner - 713.272.4310 - jgardner@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Jordan Hebert - 713.490.4304 - jhebert@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Tim Keogh '10 - 713.272.4317 - tkeogh@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Jason Kimball - 713.490.4380 - jkimball@strakejesuit.org

Mr. John McMillan '15 - 713.490.4379 - jmcmillan@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Andrew Montroy - 713.490.8120 - amontroy@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Steven Mossbarger - 713.490.8124 - smossbarger@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Andrew Pruett '98 - 713.490.8116 - apruett@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Stevie Rodriguez - 713.272.4388 - srodriguez@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Anthony Schneider '15 - 713.490.4302 - aschneider@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Mark Stovall - 713.490.8145 - mstovall@strakejesuit.org

 

Catechesis – leading one to maturity in faith – is the primary function of the Theology Department. The principle tasks of catechesis in adolescence include the following:

• to further a genuinely Christian understanding of life,
• to help the student discover genuine values in a pluralistic society and to put them in their proper order,
• to bring the adolescent to that level of personal maturity which will allow him to overcome subjectivism and to discover a new hope in the strength and wisdom of God,
• to stimulate the mind of the adolescent while providing the rational foundations for faith, and
• to encourage personal experience of faith by providing opportunities for adolescents to assume responsibilities of faith.

Theology at Strake Jesuit confronts this catechetical challenge with a solid basic curriculum (four full credits required of all students entering as freshmen) and a diversity of teaching methods. The curriculum consists of required core courses dealing with Scripture, Church Doctrine and Sacraments, Personality Development, Morality, and Social Justice. We also require students to choose at least two electives from a collection of courses ranging from Philosophy to Spirituality.

The teaching philosophies within the department represent both academic and pastoral approaches to religious education. Theology is treated as an academic discipline requiring the development of critical reading, thinking, and writing skills. But as a department, we are also involved in the whole school's efforts at religious formation, and to this end we offer certain courses and use certain approaches reflecting a pastoral as well as an academic disposition. This diversity allows for a certain amount of academic freedom, which is enhanced by the fact that the teachers of each grade level and within each course assume the responsibility for introducing and developing specific goals to structure the core curriculum in light of the needs and abilities of the changing student body.

Department Members:
Mr. Chris Siemann - Department Chair - 713.272.4369 - csiemann@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Nick Arguello - 713.490.8235 - narguello@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Carlos Barboza '12 - 713.490.8138 - cbarboza@strakejesuit.org

Mr. John Barone - 713.490.8212 - jbarone@strakejesuit.org

Ms. Catherine Burke - 713.272.4359 - cburke@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Chris Cole '02 - 713.272.4370 - ccole@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Jeremy Dunford - 713.490.8206 - jdunford@strakejesuit.org

Mr. John Fahy - 713.490.8135 - jfahy@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Kyle Gibson - 713.490.4312 - kgibson@strakejesuit.org

Ms. Meredith Gosda - 713.272.4398 - mgosda@strakejesuit.org

Ms. Morgan Leverenz - 713.490.4328 - mleverenz@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Reid Linden - 713.272.4397 - rlinden@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Mark McNeil - 713.490.8233 - mmcneil@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Tommy Romano - 713.490.8237 - tromano@strakejesuit.org

Mr. Bryan Smyth - 713.490.4325 - bsmyth@strakejesuit.org