Divine Child High School is a parish Catholic high school in Dearborn, Wayne County, Michigan, United States. The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008. Today, Divine Child High School is the largest Catholic, co-educational high school in Michigan.
History
Divine Child was opened in September 1958 by Monsignor Herbert Weier. Initially, it consisted of 84 freshmen, two Bernadine Sisters, and an athletic coach. The Class of 1962, the first graduating class, consisted of 69 students. The original building consisted of 37,478 square feet (3,481.8Â m2) of space including ten classrooms, two science labs, a small library, a typing and office machines room, and a study hall room. Since then, eleven additions have significantly increased the size and facilities of the school.
Academics
Divine Child offers classes in the following areas: theology, math, science, English, social studies, world languages, fine & applied arts, physical education/health, and technology. Divine Child's curriculum is varied to meet the needs and interests of each student. A total of 26.5 units of credit are required for graduation including demonstrating proficiency with computers. Divine Child offers 35 honors courses including 18 Advanced Placement courses for college credit. Divine Child also has an Instructional Support Program for students with mild learning differences.
Theology
As a Catholic school, Divine Child requires its students to take part in the following religious activities: a daily theology class, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, school liturgies twice each month, and an annual retreat. Liturgies are held in the Church of the Divine Child located on the same campus as the high school.
Student body
As of 2017 the school had 850 students, 90% of them Catholic, giving it the largest enrollment of any coeducational Catholic high school in Michigan. 17% of the students were of races other than non-Hispanic white and/or multiracial, and some students are international students. Historically children from the wealthiest households in Dearborn enrolled at Divine Child. Divine Child's student body resides in 51 zip codes.
Community Service
Each year, Divine Child High School students are required to complete ten service hours each year. Each grade has their own Service Day in the Fall. For the 2016-2017 school year, DCHS students completed over 15,000 service hours.
Technology
All incoming students use an iPad Pro in their classes. Most textbooks are downloaded directly to the iPad. Numerous apps are used by teachers and students as part of the classes.
Bands
The bands in the school are the marching band, pep band, symphonic band, and jazz band. Each band plays music that suits their genre and plays their music at different events throughout the school year. In the spring of 2006, the jazz band won 'Best Jazz Ensemble' at the Music In The Parks. In 2008, the marching band was invited to perform at Mitt Romney’s candidacy for the presidential race. In 2011 and 2015, the Marching Band performed at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The Marching Band also performed at America's Thanksgiving Parade every year from 2011 to 2014.
Sports
Divine Child High School has the largest Athletic Program in the Catholic High School League (CHSL). Divine Child offers 26 Sports and 52 Teams. These teams include basketball, football, hockey, golf, soccer, track, cross country, wrestling, bowling, softball, sideline and competitive cheerleading, figure skating, lacrosse, swimming and other sports.
Historically the football team has been among the highest performing in the league and had entered many matches over major titles.
Notable finishes
- State Championships
- Forensics: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
- Baseball (Boys): 1992, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010
- Basketball (Boys): 1973, 1977
- Basketball (Girls): 1985 Runner Up, 1986, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2011
- Bowling (Girls singles- Sara Richards): 2008
- Competitive Cheer (Girls): 1985, 1996
- Pom Pom (Girls): 2001, 2002, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016
- Cross Country (Boys): 1982 Class B Runner-Up, 1993 Class B Runner-Up
- Figure Skating (Girls): 2000, 2005, 2008
- Football (Boys): 1961, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1985
- Hockey (Boys): 2002
- Softball (Girls): 1975, 1986
- Winterguard: 1999
- Golf (Boys): 2010
- Track and Field (Girls): 2010, 2012, 2013
Activities
Divine Child also offers many clubs and after-school programs, including Academic Quiz Bowl, Anime Club, Art Studio, Astronomy Club, Bowling Club, Boys Intramurals, Boys Varsity Club, Business Professionals of America, Chess Club, Culinary Arts, DCTV (Divine Child Television), Drama Club, Debate (reinstated 2015), Falcon Fever (DC Spirit Team), Forensics, Games Club, German Club, Guitar Club, In Stitches (Sewing Club), Interact Club, International Thespian Society, Latin/Greek Club, Link Crew, Literary Magazine, Medical Club, National Honor Society, Newspaper, Pet Therapy Club, Ping Pong Club, Programming Club, Pro-Life Club, Spanish Club, Student Council, Swimming Club, Technology/Robotics Club, Varsity Club, and Video Games Club.
Divine Child also offers musical and theatrical activities, including a fall play and spring musical, bands â€" marching, symphonic, jazz, pit, pep, and show choir.
State Championships Forensics- 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Notable alumni
- Gary Danielson, Class of 1969 - A former professional quarterback for the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns and current CBS College Football analyst.
- Pat Shurmur, Class of 1983 - former lineman for Michigan State University, current Tight Ends coach for the Minnesota Vikings, former Offensive Coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, and former head coach for the Cleveland Browns
- Mike Cervenak, MLB player (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Elizabeth Jarosz, Class of 1991 - One of the candidates on season two of The Apprentice.
- Jim Herrmann, NCAA and NFL assistant football coach
- Tom Dohring, Lineman for University of Michigan and Kansas City Chiefs.
- Jeff Chadwick, NFL wide receiver
- Bill McCartney, National Championship winning coach with the Colorado Buffaloes, former DC basketball and football coach.
- James Finn Garner, Author
- Ryan Anderson (baseball), First Round MLB Draft Pick, Pitcher.
- Chris Rusin, MLB pitcher for the Colorado Rockies.
- Brian Zahra, Class of 1977- Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
- Dan Gheesling, Big Brother 10 (U.S.) winner
- Richard Miller, Class of 1978- Dearborn Fire Chief and Michigan State Fire Marshal
- Court of Appeals Judge Michael Talbot- Class of 1963
Notes
External links
Official website