Holy Child Gym, 4747 Amboy Rd, Staten Island, NY 10312, US

Founded by the Society of Mary in 1930, Chaminade is a college-preparatory school rooted in the Catholic tradition. The all-male student body numbers approximately 1,700 in grades nine through 12, with admission only being granted to incoming freshmen of Catholic faith following the completion of the Catholic high school entrance examination. Named for its founder, Blessed Father William Joseph Chaminade, the Marianists order of brothers and priests oversee the operation of the school as well as the lay faculty and staff. The school operates independently of the Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre. The liberal arts curriculum stresses Catholic teaching and beliefs in the classroom. All students take the same four-year curriculum, consisting of English, social studies, math (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus), science, physical education, choice of foreign language (Spanish, French, German or Latin), three years of fine arts and one year of health. In their senior year, students are given the opportunity to participate in the Collegiate program, where they may gain as many as 37 college credits - the equivalent of a first-year college student - while still remaining on the Chaminade campus. Those in the Collegiate program are taught by visiting professors from Long Island University's C.W. Post campus. While the school does not require students wear uniforms, there is a dress code in place which includes jacket, tie and dress pants with no seams showing. On very hot days, the code is relaxed to allow jackets not to be worn. The school is also one of the only high schools in the country - and the only facility on Long Island - to own and operate a theater pipe organ. Affectionately know by its alumni as "The Rock," Chaminade boasts 18 athletic sports including football, baseball, hockey, basketball, track, tennis, golf, lacrosse and others on both the JV and varsity levels as well as intramural activities. The school also features an Olympic-sized pool, and the addition of the new $25 million athletic center in 2007 allowed the construction of a larger gym and 1/10 mile suspended indoor track where the entire student body can be housed for monthly mass services. Over 90 percent of the student population participates in at least one after-school activity, which includes a school newspaper, yearbook, art clubs, drama, sodality, foreign languages, chess, science, social studies, Emmaus, and Catholic League and more. With a network of over 20,000 graduates worldwide, some notable former Flyers include actor Brian Dennehy, former New York Senator Al D'Amato, NFL tight end J.P. Foschi, MLB pitcher John Lannan, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly, Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy, former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and Mineola Mayor Jack Martins.