Holy Redeemer High School

Coordinates: 41°14′29″N 75°53′3″W / 41.24139°N 75.88417°W / 41.24139; -75.88417
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Holy Redeemer High School
Address
Map
159 South Pennsylvania Boulevard

, ,
18701

United States
Coordinates41°14′29″N 75°53′3″W / 41.24139°N 75.88417°W / 41.24139; -75.88417
Information
TypePrivate, Coeducational
MottoOmnia per Christum
(All Things Through Christ)
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established2007
DeanColin Martinson[1]
PrincipalCody Opalka[1]
ChaplainRev. Philbert Tekynaki
FacultyAbout 50
Grades9-12
Enrollment436
Color(s)Red, White and Gold    
Team nameRoyals
AccreditationMiddle States Association of Colleges and Schools[2]
Websiteholyredeemerhs.org

Holy Redeemer High School is a high school of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton. It is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States. It is currently the only Catholic high school in Luzerne County.

History[edit]

In January 2007, Bishop Joseph Martino announced the consolidation of four schools into a central Catholic high school for Luzerne County. On February 27, 2007, James J. Redington, then-principal of Seton Catholic High School in Pittston, was selected to be the first principal of the new Holy Redeemer High School.

The school opened on July 1, 2007. It is a consolidation of Bishop Hafey High School in Hazleton, Bishop Hoban High School in Wilkes-Barre, Bishop O'Reilly High School in Kingston, and Seton Catholic High School in Pittston. The school is housed in the former Bishop Hoban building. Holy Redeemer's team name is the Royals and its colors are red, white, and gold. Classes began in late August 2007. By fall of that year, its students and faculty had celebrated the first Opening Liturgy at St. Nicholas Church, the first Spirit Week, and the first Junior Ring Ceremony.

The school was not in session on February 28, 2008, because a majority of faculty members called in sick to protest the diocese's refusal to acknowledge a teachers' union. The following day, over 200 students conducted a walkout in support of the teachers and their position. The diocese did not accept the union's terms.[3]

On April 29, 2008, the high school conducted their first official ceremony for the National Honor Society. Holy Redeemer's first prom and talent show were held in May 2008. Later that school year, the high school community celebrated their first senior awards ceremony and senior graduation.

The high school's first student government election was held on December 17, 2008. The first student body officers were: President Joseph Sebastianelli, Vice President Matthew Powell, Secretary Moses Sam, and Treasurer Robert Gawlas.

In June 2010, the school's first principal, James Redington, retired. The assistant principal, Anita Sirak, succeeded him.

Principals of Holy Redeemer[edit]

Principal Term
1 James J. Redington 2007–2010
2 Anita M. Sirak 2010–2016
3 Michael Reese 2016–2019
4 Doreen Dougherty 2019–2023
5 Cody Opalka 2023–present

Enrollment[edit]

Year Population
2007 860 students
2017 635 students
2023 436 students

Alma mater[edit]

Holy Redeemer,
Hail the red, white, and gold;
We are faith, hope, and love.
We are one from the many,
United and proud,
With courage from above.
In the Spirit of Christ,
Our story is told.
Our Redeemer sustains us
As our lives do unfold.
Loyal, united with pride do we hail;
We are Holy Redeemer Royals;
We are Holy Redeemer High.
(Music and Lyrics by Andrea Bogusko Yorkonis)[4]

Activities[edit]

Holy Redeemer High School is located within Wilkes-Barre Area School District (seen in blue). It is currently the only Catholic high school in Luzerne County.

Holy Redeemer School System[edit]

The coat of arms of the Diocese of Scranton

High school[edit]

Elementary schools[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Faculty & Staff | Holy Redeemer High School". Holy Redeemer HS. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  2. ^ MSA-CSS. "MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools". Archived from the original on March 25, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  3. ^ publish.nyc.indymedia.org | Students walk out for teachers Strike At Scranton Catholic School
  4. ^ "History | Holy Redeemer High School".
  5. ^ "Student Leadership Council". www.holyredeemerhs.org. Archived from the original on 2017-03-12.