Holy Cross becomes a home
Ella Barkley
Change is one of people’s biggest fears, whether it is last-minute, life-changing or small.
The thought of something being different from what it once was can often be frightening. For many students, that feeling becomes reality in eighth grade as May approaches and the shift into high school occurs.
One of the biggest changes they will experience is stepping into new hallways and leaving behind all their classmates that they have known for most of their childhood. Choosing a high school can be frightening, considering the change it brings about in one’s life. Yet Holy Cross High School immediately shifts this narrative from fear to comfort when stepping through the front door. It instantly becomes more than a school; it becomes a home that fosters confidence, growth and preparation for the future.
Freshmen walk through the doors of Holy Cross for the first time and are not met with teachers, staff and students. Instead, they are welcomed in by a new family with open arms. While it sounds cliché, the people within the Holy Cross community are what make this amazing school feel like home.
The outstanding support that students receive throughout all stages of high school helps develop them into young adults who are ready to step out into the real world. The teachers are not just there to teach you algebra and how to write a thesis statement; they also strive to teach you how to be a good person and a vital member of your community.
Administration is not just there to discipline students and do morning announcements; they also work towards holding students to high standards and ensuring they are well-rounded individuals entering society.
Adults and peers at Holy Cross are continuously working to help students become faith-driven leaders and disciplined individuals who can thrive in the real world and participate in society in a way that matters.
Students at Holy Cross are given a four-year course that ensures not only their success, but also excellence. Staff diligently place students in classes so that they are able to excel but also be challenged.
Outside of the core classes, students at every level are continuously challenged to grow. Freshmen are welcomed in and start Freshman Academy, a class that ensures students know how to function in high school and succeed in their core classes. Sophomores take Sophomore Stream, a class that teaches them about all the pillars of STREAM and prepares them for their internships in the years to follow.
Lastly, juniors and seniors participate in the Corporate Internship Program. This program is one of the best real-world experiences that students at Holy Cross will get, providing them with a sense of belonging in their community and allowing them to explore the workforce and make early decisions about what their future may hold after graduation.
Overall, the Holy Cross community leaves a lasting impact on every student who enters its doors. Change is no longer scary, and students are prepared to step into the real world and make real changes.
From freshmen to senior year, every student who walks the halls of this school will be forever changed, knowing that home does not have to be four walls and a blood family, but also hallways, classrooms and a family that does not need blood relation to show the utmost love and support.
Holy Cross goes beyond the classroom
Emma Kramer
Founded in 1984, Holy Cross High School continues the traditions of Angela Merici and Bishop David while preparing students for life beyond the classroom. As the only Catholic coeducational high school in Jefferson County, it offers more than academics; it creates a community that feels like family.
That sense of family is what sets Holy Cross apart. It is found in small class sizes, familiar faces in the hallways, and the way students and teachers know each other beyond just a name on a roster.
Support is not hard to find. Teachers stay after school to help, classmates push one another to succeed and encouragement becomes part of everyday life. It is an environment where students are seen, known and valued. Over time, these everyday interactions build trust and create a space where students feel comfortable asking questions, taking risks and growing into more confident individuals.
This close-knit culture shapes the way students grow. Rooted in faith, Holy Cross emphasizes respect, responsibility and service. Students are challenged not only to succeed academically, but to become people who care about others and contribute to something bigger than themselves.
Lessons about integrity and character are learned just as clearly as those taught in textbooks. Service opportunities throughout all four years reinforce these values, encouraging students to step outside of their routines and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Opportunities at Holy Cross extend learning beyond the classroom. Through the Corporate Internship Program, students step into real workplaces and gain hands-on experience.
Time spent in professional environments builds confidence and teaches practical skills that cannot be learned from a desk alone. It is real life, real learning and real responsibility. These experiences also give students a clearer sense of direction, helping them better understand their interests and future goals before leaving high school.
In the classroom, expectations remain high. Students are pushed to think critically, stay disciplined and take ownership of their work. Modern resources, including STEM-certified programs and updated facilities, support this growth.
At the same time, the smaller environment ensures that no student is overlooked. Individual strengths are recognized, and students are encouraged to build on them with confidence.
Outside of academics, athletics and activities strengthen the sense of community even further. Teams, clubs and events bring students together and build lasting connections. Wins are celebrated together, and challenges are faced together.
Leadership opportunities within these activities also help students develop responsibility and confidence in their abilities. These experiences teach students how to communicate effectively, work through adversity and support one another both in and out of competition.
Holy Cross prepares students for the future, but more importantly, it shapes who they become. The lessons learned, the relationships built and the support given create an experience that lasts far beyond graduation.
In a world that often feels large and like you’re just another person, Holy Cross remains a place where community comes first, and where students are never just another face in the crowd.
Holy Cross teachers are mentors
AnnaSophia Mudd
Stepping into Holy Cross is more than stepping onto a high school campus; it is becoming part of the close-knit community that supports and cares for each and every person.
Teachers and staff create an environment that nourishes personal and academic growth as they strive to have a relationship with each of us. The relationships built with peers, staff and teachers last far beyond academics and graduation. Teachers at Holy Cross demonstrate deep care for students. Through motivation and challenge, they push each student to reach their full potential.
Building on the values of Holy Cross, the teachers invest in each student’s academics, striving to push them out of their comfort zones. Students are reminded that without stepping out of their comfort zones, there will be no growth. Each teacher and staff member takes time out of their day, past the allotted time, with recommendations, studying or schoolwork. The classroom environment reflects the care and support of the school. Each student is encouraged to ask questions and is reminded that mistakes lead to growth. Being surrounded by a safe learning environment that fosters academic growth builds the students’ trust in teachers and confidence in themselves.
This emphasis on growth through challenging academics is most effective when it is paired with consistent encouragement. The ability to show care in one’s educational growth as well as care in personal fortitude is something that teachers and staff at Holy Cross have perfected. The academic ambition for each class is sustained through the work ethic produced. The care that they show for each student builds lasting confidence in oneself that carries into their next steps in life. As students go throughout their high school journey, they are able to explore various fields through the internship program. This program has been created for the sole purpose of allowing students to build trust in their future, whether they go to college, trade school or straight into the workforce.
The careful balance of support and challenge that has been promoted at Holy Cross fosters growth and a lifelong commitment to learning that continues to influence Holy Cross graduates after they leave the classroom. The teachers at Holy Cross have guided us through our four years, shaping our knowledge and our personal character. The impact that is left with students may not be immediately visible, but it stays with each person long after they leave the school.
