View source for Seattle Preparatory School

{{more citations needed|date=May 2018}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox school
 | name                    = Seattle Preparatory School
 | logo                    = 
 | motto                   = ''Virtus in Arduis''
 | motto_translation       = Virtue in Hard Work
 | streetaddress           = 2400 11th Avenue East
 | city                    = [[Seattle]]
 | county                  = ([[King County, Washington|King County]])
 | state                   = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
 | zipcode                 = 98102
 | country                 = USA
 | coordinates             = {{Coord|47.641387|N|122.317531|W|region:US-WA_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
 | type                    = [[Private school|Private]]
 | religion                = [[Roman Catholic]]<br>[[Jesuit]]
 | patron                  = 
 | established             = {{Start date and age|1891}}
 | ceeb                    = 481160<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/highschoolcode.html |title=High School Code Lookup|publisher=[[Vanderbilt University]] |access-date=2009-09-27 }}</ref>
 | chairperson             = 
 | principal               = Erin Luby
 | faculty                 = 125<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.seaprep.org/aboutprep/directory |title=High School Faculty Number|publisher=Seattle Preparatory School |access-date=2020-02-21 }}</ref>
 | teaching_staff          = 
 | grades                  = [[Ninth grade|9]]–[[Twelfth grade|12]]
 | gender                  = [[Coeducational]]
 | grade9                  = 
 | grade10                 = 
 | grade11                 = 
 | grade12                 = 
 | other                   = 
 | avg_class_size          = 22
 | ratio                   = 11:1
 | system                  = 
 | slogan                  = 
 | song                    = 
 | fightsong               = "Hail to thee our fighting panthers"
 | athletics               = 
 | conference              = [[Metro League (Seattle)|Metro AAA League]]
 | sports                  = 
 | mascot                  = [[Black panther|Panther]]
 | nickname                = Seattle Prep
 | team_name               = Panthers
 | accreditation           = [[Northwest Accreditation Commission]]<ref name="Northwest Accreditation Commission">{{cite web|url=http://www.advanc-ed.org/oasis2/u/par/accreditation/summary?institutionId=53322|title=Northwest Accreditation Commission|access-date=2009-07-29|author=NWAC}}</ref>
 | ranking                 = 
 | national_ranking        = 
 | SAT                     = 
 | ACT                     = 
 | publication             = ''Panther Tracks'' magazine
 | newspaper               = ''The Seattle Prep Panther''
 | picture                 = Image:SeattlePrep.png
 | picture_caption         = McDonnell Hall with PACCAR Commons
 | affiliation             = 
 | president               = Robert Jordan
 | tuition                 = $23,900
 | campus type             = Urban
 | mascot image            = 
 | colors                  = Blue and white {{color box|blue}}{{color box|white}}
 | rivals                  = [[Bishop Blanchet]], [[Holy Names Academy]], [[O'Dea High School]]
 | enrollment              = 785
 | enrollment_as_of        = 2022-2023
 | homepage                = [http://www.seaprep.org seaprep.org]
}}

'''Seattle Preparatory School''', popularly known as '''Seattle Prep,''' is a private, [[Jesuit]] [[high school]] located on [[Capitol Hill (Seattle)|Capitol Hill]] in [[Seattle]], Washington, United States.

After it was founded in 1891, Seattle Prep merged with Immaculate Conception Parish School, a local Jesuit Boys' School in [[First Hill, Seattle|First Hill]] which would later become [[Seattle University]], in 1898 and became a part of ''Seattle College''. From 1919 to 1931, Seattle College's only campus was at the current site of Seattle Prep. In 1931, Seattle University and Seattle Prep split off from each other and Seattle University moved back to its original First Hill location.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.icseattle.org/our-history |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.icseattle.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doran |first=Ginger |title=The Matteo Ricci Program: The Relationship Between Seattle Prep and Seattle University |url=https://seapreppanther.org/7822/feature/the-matteo-ricci-program-the-relationship-between-seattle-prep-and-seattle-university/#:~:text=Later,%20in%201929,%20Seattle%20College,officially%20became%20Seattle%20University%20again. |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=The Seattle Prep Panther}}</ref>

== Mission ==
As a Jesuit school, Seattle Prep's mission is focused on building men and women for and with others. At graduation, students are meant to embody the five grad at grads (graduate at graduation): open to growth, intellectually competent, spiritually alive, loving, and committed to justice. Students are formed into transformational leaders under Jesuit values and ideals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Academics - Seattle Preparatory School |url=https://www.seaprep.org/academics |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=www.seaprep.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Curriculum==
Students generally pursue a traditional four-year course of study at Seattle Prep and then pursue other arrangements (entrance into a four-year college, or a two-year college).

=== Arts ===
After a first year of Music, Drama, Visual Art, and Media Literacy, students can pick their art courses for the following three years. Some courses offered are: Choir, Filmmaking, Acting, Music Ensemble, Drawing, Printmaking, Photography, Ceramics and AP Studio Art.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Arts - Seattle Preparatory School|url=https://www.seaprep.org/academics/departments/arts|access-date=2020-11-05|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Math ===
After taking an algebra placement test, freshmen are placed in various classes depending on their scores: Intermediate Algebra, Geometry, Honors Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry, and Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Mathematics - Seattle Preparatory School|url=https://www.seaprep.org/academics/departments/mathematics|access-date=2021-01-25|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US}}</ref>

Depending on the student's performance in the first semester, they are recommended classes for their sophomore year, which include: Geometry, Honors Geometry, Algebra 2, Algebra 2/Trigonometry, Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry, Precalculus and Honors Precalculus.<ref name=":0" />

This process continues for the rest of the curriculum. Juniors can take: Algebra 2, Algebra 2/Trigonometry, Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry, Introduction to Precalculus, Precalculus, Honors Precalculus, Calculus, AP Calculus AB, and AP Calculus BC.<ref name=":0" />

Seniors may take Introduction to Precalculus, Precalculus, Honors Precalculus, Calculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Multivariable Calculus and AP Statistics.<ref name=":0" />

=== Science ===
Freshmen are placed in Biology or Honors Biology depending on their scores on the HSPT (High School Placement Test) and the school's math placement test. Sophomores are put in either Honors Chemistry, Accelerated Chemistry, or Chemistry. Depending on the classes they took previously, juniors may take Physics, AP Physics 1, AP Physics C (must be taken in conjunction with or after taking a Calculus class), AP Environmental Science, AP Biology, and AP Chemistry. Seniors can take Anatomy & Physiology, AP Environmental Science, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, physics, AP Physics 1, or AP Physics C (must be taken in conjunction with or after taking a Calculus class).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Science - Seattle Preparatory School|url=https://www.seaprep.org/academics/departments/science|access-date=2020-11-05|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Science Curriculum – Courses by Year|url=https://www.seaprep.org/uploaded/Academics/Sciences/Science_Courses_by_Year_Chart_1920.pdf}}</ref>

=== Extracurricular activities ===
Extracurricular activities include Film Club, Chess Team, Mock Trial, Dance Team (known as Pulse), Yearbook, Newspaper, ASB, and Drama Club. Prep also has various social justice clubs, including Global Justice Coalition, Feminist Interest Group (FIG), One Voice, Asian Pacific Islanders Club (APIC), Black Student Union (BSU) and Latino Club.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seaprep.org/studentlife/activities|title=Student Activities and Clubs - Seattle Preparatory School|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seaprep.org/arts/drama|title=Drama - Seattle Preparatory School|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seaprep.org/arts/video-production|title=Filmmaking - Seattle Preparatory School|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seaprep.org/studentlife/activities/social-justice|title=Social Justice Clubs - Seattle Preparatory School|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref>

Criteria for admissions include grades, extracurricular activities, an entrance exam, reference letters, and essays.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seaprep.org/admissions/how-to-apply|title=How to Apply - Seattle Preparatory School|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-21}}</ref>

==Facts and figures==
Facts and figures (as of 2008 unless otherwise noted):

* [[Education|Enrollment]]: 785 (2023)
* [[Faculty (university)|Faculty]]: 135 (2025)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Faculty & Staff - Seattle Preparatory School |url=https://www.seaprep.org/about-prep/directory |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=www.seaprep.org |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Faculty with advanced degrees: 90%
* Student/teacher ratio: 9.5:1
* Average class Size: 13
* Percentage of college-bound graduates: 99%
* [[Tuition payments|Tuition]]: $21,950 + $600 application fee<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seaprep.org/admissions/tuition|title=Tuition & Tuition Assistance Scholarships - Seattle Preparatory School|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref>
* Library volumes: 20,000+
* Tuition assistance: 1,000,000

==Magis Christian Service==
Seattle Prep has a four-year requirement of various community service. The four-year Magis Christian Service Program at Seattle Prep exposes students to many different forms of service including service to family (freshman), to school (sophomore), to the poor and marginalized (junior), and to leadership for justice (senior).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seaprep.org/faithandservice/magisservice|title=Magis Christian Service Program - Seattle Preparatory School|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-08}}</ref>

==Physical structure==
[[File:Seaprep1.png|thumb|250px|right|McHugh Gymnasium & St. Ignatius Hall]]

In the 1950s, McDonnell Hall was added to the existing Adelphia Hall (the name of which refers to [[Adelphia College]], previously on the site). In the 1960s, Peyton Hall was added across the parking lot from McDonnell and Adelphia Halls. The McHugh Gymnasium was built in front of Adelphia Hall and opened in 1983, a result of the school's first major fundraising campaign. Funds from this campaign were used to remodel the third floor of Adelphia Hall for improved science facilities. During this time the library, which then became known as Loyola Library, was moved to Peyton Hall.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}

There were several major additions to Seattle Prep in the late 1990s. A new underground parking garage was built to replace the old parking lot, which was replaced by a grass [[Quadrangle (architecture)|quad]]. In addition, St. Ignatius Hall was erected across from Peyton and McDonnell Halls.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}

[[File:Chapel10.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Thomas Healy SJ Theater]]

In 2007, the PACCAR Commons (Donated by the Pigott family) were completed, including new office space with reception desks and also a sick room. Also construction was completed on the Thomas Healy, S.J., Theater and Classrooms. This was the first major renovation since the addition of St. Ignatius Hall. The theater, which also accommodates school Masses, features an orchestra pit with hydraulics moving it up and down for various uses, including the transportation of heavy equipment. The workout rooms and locker rooms were also altered in this remodel. The space below the theater is used for arts classes, a [[sacristy]] (to be used for liturgies and masses), and weight/workout rooms. In 2008, sections of pathway around the campus plaza were redone and electronic doors were installed on several major entrances.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}

==Athletics and activities==
Seattle Prep has won numerous league and state titles in many different men's sports. As of 2010, by size Prep is a high-end 1A class school, but plays up in 3A classification.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}

The boys' soccer team are back-to-back state champions (2011 and 2012), and have four other appearances in the state championship game. The team qualified for State 14 years in a row, winning it all in 2002.
Prep's volleyball team won three straight state titles from 2001 to 2003, and returned to the champions circle in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seaprep.org/athletics/teams/girlsvolleyball|title=Girls' Volleyball - Seattle Preparatory School|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seaprep.org/athletics/teams/girlssoccer|title=Girls' Soccer - Seattle Preparatory School|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref>

The boys' basketball team won state titles in 2000 and 2006 and narrowly missed another title in 2012 losing in the state championship game. The team has qualified for State in six of the last seven seasons.{{when|date=September 2024}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seaprep.org/athletics/teams/boysbasketball|title=Boys' Basketball - Seattle Preparatory School|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref>

The boys' [[cross country running|cross country]] team won the state title in 1966 (led by future 4th-place finisher in the Montreal Olympics marathon [[Don Kardong]]), 1972, and 2000. Prep's boys' cross country teams finished as one of the top five 3A teams every year but one from 1996 to 2013. During that span, Prep never placed lower than second in the Metro League. In 2006, Prep won its first women's Metro League team title.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seaprep.org/athletics/teams/boysxc|title=Boys' Cross Country - Seattle Preparatory School|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seaprep.org/athletics/teams/girlsxc|title=Girls' Cross Country - Seattle Preparatory School|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref>

The boys' lacrosse team won the Washington High School Boys Lacrosse Association, Division II state championship in 2002, and has made it to the championship game in multiple years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.whsbla.org/Page.asp?n=70334&org=WHSBLA%2EORG|title=WHSBLA State Champions List}}</ref>

The Mock Trial program boasts one national championship and 14 state titles over the past 18 years (winning State in 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2021). Prep placed in the top 10 at the [[National High School Mock Trial Championship]] eight times during that span. Its 3rd-place finish in 2009 was the best in program history, until the program won the national title in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kingcounty.gov/council/news/2014/June/mocktrial.aspx|title=County Council recognizes Seattle Prep's Mock Trial Champions|date=June 16, 2014|website=King county.gov}}</ref>

The Prep Chess Team has played in the Washington High School State Team Championship in each of the past 17 years.{{when|date=September 2024}} Its highest finishes were 2nd (2002), 3rd (2009), 5th (2005 and 2010), and 6th (1999). In 1999, they also won the Metro Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seaprep.org/studentlife/activities/chessteam|title=Chess Team - Seattle Preparatory School|website=www.seaprep.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-14}}</ref>

==Notable alumni==
<!--ENTRIES ON THIS LIST SHOULD EITHER HAVE AN ACCOMPANYING EXISTING ARTICLE LINK WHICH VERIFIES THEY ARE AN ALUMNUS, OR RELIABLE SOURCES AS FOOTNOTES AGAINST THE NAME.-->
* [[Bob Bellinger]], American football player
* [[Stuart Fairchild]], MLB player
* [[Bryce Fisher]], former NFL defensive lineman (1999–2008)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/players/brycefisher/profile?id=FIS192130 |title=Bryce Fisher |work=NFL.com |date=1977-12-05 |access-date=2010-06-06}}</ref>
* [[Bea Franklin]], soccer player<ref>{{cite web |title=Bea Franklin |url=https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/roster/bea-franklin/ |website=Arkansas Razorbacks |date=10 February 2021}}</ref>
* [[Tom Gorman (tennis)|Tom Gorman]], former professional tennis player {{Citation needed|date=May 2009}}
* [[Spencer Hawes]], former professional NBA basketball player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/spencer_hawes/ |title=Spencer Hawes Info Page |work=NBA.com |access-date=2010-06-06}}</ref>
* [[Sam Hiatt]], [[NWSL]] professional soccer player <ref>{{cite web | url=https://gostanford.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/sam-hiatt/16284 | title=Sam Hiatt - Women's Soccer }}</ref>
* [[Don Kardong]], Olympic marathon runner
* [[Amanda Knox]], convicted of murdering a fellow student in Italy, conviction later overturned<ref>{{cite book |last=Follain |first=J. |title=Death in Perugia: The Definitive Account of the Meredith Kercher Case from Her Murder to the Acquittal of Raffaele Sollecito and Amanda Knox |publisher=St. Martin's True Crime |date=2011 |isbn=978-0-340-99309-5 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/deathinperugia0002foll/page/13 13–15] |url=https://archive.org/details/deathinperugia0002foll/page/13 }}</ref>
* [[Joe Lombardi]], NFL offensive coordinator, [[Denver Broncos]]<ref name=aggnsptr>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/10/29/lombardis-grandson-gets-no-special-treatment/ |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |agency=(Seattle Times) |last=Peoples |first=John |title=Lombardi's grandson gets no special treatment |date=October 29, 1989 |access-date=September 22, 2014}}</ref><ref name=jlbonleg>{{cite web |url=http://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/columnists/dougherty/2014/09/18/joe-lombardi-building-legacy/15868371/ |publisher=Packer News |title=Joe Lombardi building own NFL legacy |last=Dougherty |first=Pete |agency=Press-Gazette Media |date=September 18, 2014 |access-date=September 22, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Mike McGavick]], former CEO of [[Safeco]] and former [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] candidate for the [[United States Senate]] {{Citation needed|reason=Previous footnote was a circular reference to WP using answers.com|date=July 2010}}
* [[John McKay (attorney)|John McKay]], former US Attorney for the Western District Of Washington <ref>[http://www.law.seattleu.edu/x2991.xml McKay]</ref> 
* [[Greg Nickels]], former mayor of [[Seattle]] (2002–2010) <ref name="Greg Nickels">{{cite web|url=http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/about/bio.htm|title=ABOUT MAYOR GREGORY J. NICKELS|publisher=City of Seattle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629094308/http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/about/bio.htm|archive-date=June 29, 2011 |access-date=2009-05-27}}</ref>
* [[Braeden Smith]], basketball player for the [[Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball|Gonzaga Bulldogs]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Braeden Smith - Men's Basketball |url=https://colgateathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/braeden-smith/13741 |website=Colgate University Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
* [[John Spellman]], former governor of Washington (1981–1985) <ref>[http://www.nndb.com/people/459/000122093/ Spellman]</ref> 
* [[Martell Webster]], former professional NBA basketball player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/martell_webster|title=Martell Webster Info Page|work=NBA.com|access-date=2010-06-06}}</ref>
<!--ENTRIES ON THIS LIST MUST HAVE AN ACCOMPANYING EXISTING ARTICLE-->

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{Jesuit Secondary Education Association}}
{{Schools in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle}}
{{WIAA Sea-King District 2|A|3A}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Catholic secondary schools in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Jesuit high schools in the United States]]
[[Category:Schools in Seattle]]
[[Category:High schools in King County, Washington]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1891]]
[[Category:Schools accredited by Cognia]]
[[Category:High schools within the Archdiocese of Seattle]]
[[Category:1891 establishments in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Society of Jesus in Washington (state)]]