With classes in Mandarin, overseas trips to China and France, bus transportation for commuters and individualized fitness instruction that includes salsa and tai chi, new students at St. Genevieve High School quickly come to realize that things are a bit different at this Panorama City campus.
A recent daylong pep rally celebrating 157 incoming freshmen that featured singing, dance routines, speeches and a pancake breakfast served by upper classmen sealed the deal.
The school has gained a reputation as one of the most innovative high schools in Los Angeles -- one that is bucking the trend of many other urban Catholic schools that have closed or are teetering on the brink due to crumbling facilities and declining enrollments.
A decade ago, St. Genevieve, too, was on the precipice before officials set about changing the nature of the school with fresh ideas that are now being replicated by other Catholic campuses. The school is well-known for its character-education curriculum instituted by Principal Daniel Horn, but it is also gaining recognition for a theater arts program that puts on two full orchestra plays each year.
And though 10 years ago only about 35% of St. Genevieve graduates went to college, last year's college enrollment was 100%, with 65% of students entering four-year universities.
The school this year had a waiting list for its freshman class and saw overall enrollment increase 13% from last year, with a current enrollment of 565 students. It is the only school in the Los Angeles Archdiocese with a bus system, picking up students from four areas in Los Angeles, including one stop near Daniel Murphy Catholic High School, an urban campus that closed at the end of May because of financial and enrollment pressures.
St. Genevieve's unorthodox methods had an immediate impression on freshman Victoria Abaunza.
"When I first came and my brother dropped me off and said 'Have a good day,' I was scared," said the 14-year-old. "It's so different than elementary school. But right away, all these new people, juniors and seniors, said 'hi' and treated me like family. Right away I felt like it was home."
Unlike some other schools, St. Genevieve's teachers and administrators are willing to take some risks, said academic counselor Allan Shatkin.
