What do you hope for your child? Material success? Personal Gratification? Or do you hope for something more—something deeper… richer…longer-lasting…and infinitely more valuable? At Christ the King Regional High School we offer an education founded in love of God, responsibility to others and spiritual wholeness. Christ the King is an independent Catholic High School located in the heart of Middle Village. Guided by a Board of Trustees, headed by Serphin R. Maltese, they have been successful in the direction of Christ the King High School for over 25 years. There are 1700 students enrolled at the school in grades nine through twelve. Christ the King appreciates the uniqueness of each individual and values his or her contribution to the richness of God’s Creation. The Christ the King Community strives to spread the good news of Christianity by their commitment to the mission statement of Christ the King Regional High School which speaks clearly to our purpose… Let it be known to all who enter that Christ is the reason for our school.

The faculty of Christ the King, under the guidance and direction of Principal Michael J. Lynch, work diligently to challenge our student body to grow academically, spiritually, socially, and physically to meet the demands of a changing world. Through the collaborative efforts of the Christ the King community, we empower our students to become independent thinkers and moral leaders.

In order to meet the needs of our student body, Christ the King has 85 faculty members. This includes year deans for each grade level and six full-time guidance counselors. Father Anthony Ercolano is the school’s Spiritual Director. Mass is celebrated each morning in the school chapel at 7:45. The guidance counselors work with all students to assist with their academics and emotional well-being. In junior and senior year counselors guide students through the college admissions process. The school is proud of the Class of 2001 that received 3.8 million dollars in scholarship money. 94% of the Class of 2001 was college bound.

At each grade level students are required to have a full program. The ninth grade students are involved in a “School Within A School” and have a nine period day. Their courses include: English, Global History and Geography I, Math, Science, Lab/Physical Education, Foreign Language, Religion/ Computer Concepts and Applications, a course from The Arts and a lunch period. As part of the program for The Arts, our freshmen class may select from courses in art, band, or chorus. Recently the freshmen art program completed creative displays for our main lobby. The school chorus traveled to neighboring grammar schools, including St. Margaret’s and Our Lady of Hope, during the holiday season. Under the direction of faculty moderator, Kendra Hollingsworth, the chorus performed a medley of holiday songs.

Tenth grades students for the 2002-2003 school year will also have a nine period day during the 2002-2003 school year. Courses will include: English, global History and Geography II, Math, Science, Lab/Physical Education, Foreign Language, Religion/Health, an elective choice from Band, Chorus, Art, Computer, or any other elective offering available to the tenth grade student, and a lunch period. The eleventh grade students have an eight period day. The courses include: English, United States History and Government, Math or Elective, Science or Elective, Foreign Language or Elective, Religion/SAT Prep, Physical Education, and a lunch period. The twelfth grade students have a seven period day. The courses include: English, Government/Economics, Religion, Physical Education, Health and electives from either Math, Science, Foreign Language or other electives being offered, and a lunch period.

Christ the King has numerous course electives to attract every interest. It is one of two schools in Queens County that offers the Authentic Science Research Program. In this program, students work with research scientists and professionals within their field of research. Students may do independent research in mathematics, life sciences, physical sciences, psychology, or the social sciences. Students who complete the program earn Regent’s credit in science and are eligible for 12 college credits granted by the State University of New York at Albany. The ASR program has seen much success in the last few years. The program has an Intel Semi-Finalist and senior, Michael Blair, won a $40,000 scholarship to New York Tech, and junior, Jennifer Bilello, won an $80,000 scholarship to New York University. Ms. Andrea Negri, the Director of the ASR Program has been teaching science for the past 25 years, 15 of those at Christ the King. She designed the Authentic Science Research Course and also trains New York City Public School teachers to initiate and conduct ASR.
Christ the King has recently updated their computer and science labs. The school has three state-of-art computer labs. Students may take beginning, intermediate and advanced business and computer applications. Students who complete advanced computer applications are able to take the Microsoft Office User Specialist exams at the expert level.

On January 29th, 2002 Christ the King Regional High School received certification as a Microsoft Information Technology Academy. Christ the King is the only high school in New York State, as of January 29th, to have joined this prestigious group of academic institutions. There are less than twenty-five high schools in the country that have this certification.

The Microsoft IT Academy Program is an innovative training program for academic institutions that gives them the tools to prepare students for in-demand careers as network administrators, technical support specialists, software and hardware developers, and design engineers. The courses aggressively prepare students for degree tracks and certification that lead to careers as network administrators, programmers and system managers.

In addition to the challenging academic program, Christ the King students may participate in a variety of extra-curricula activities. Students in the sports programs compete both locally and nationally. Students may participate in basketball, hockey, baseball, football, soccer, track, tennis, golf, volleyball, and swimming. Students may also join such clubs as speech and debate, yearbook, school newspaper, SADD, the computer club, foreign language club, school literary magazine, environmental club, campus ministry, or senior connection. Members of campus ministry volunteer their time to assist with various community projects. Members of senior connection act as “big brothers” or “big sisters” for the incoming freshmen class.

To further encourage students to get involved in the total school experience, Christ the King offers grade level competitions. This year each grade participated and competed in the Homecoming Celebration, designing creative Thanksgiving Banners, and decorating for Christmas. Each grade also participated in Spirit Week, which included “hat day,” “jersey day,” and Proud to Be an American Day. On that day the entire Christ the King Community dressed in red, white, and blue. The results of these competitions show that the Freshmen class is in the lead.

As you can see, the family of Christ the King nurtures the essential elements of a high education. They offer an extensive academic program and encourage students to take full advantage of the high school experience. For more information regarding the school, please contact Rosemary DeGennaro, Assistant Principal at (718) 366-7400 Ext 247. A special thank you to Herma Moschner, Christ the King’s Yearbook moderator and foreign language teacher for the photography used in this article.