LaSalle marks 150 years of serving youth

"St. John the Baptist de LaSalle knew that he had to meet the needs of the people," said Brother James Romond, FSC, principal of LaSalle. "He fed them and educated them before talking to them about God. We do the same thing here. We don't just teach math, science and social studies; we use these to teach at another level -þ religion.

"It's what makes us different from the public school. We talk about Gospel values."

Beginnings

The Brothers staffed St. Joseph's Academy, a school founded by Rev. Peter Havermans of St. Mary's parish. Tuition, room and board was $100 a year, plus $20 for washing and mending, and $12 for books, stationary and library fees, according to a history of LaSalle written by Jack Casey, a member of the class of 1968. At that time, there were 145 day students and 30 boarders.

"In their small academy on Fourth Street, the Christian Brothers toiled day by day to raise the immigrant poor into the clerical professional classes," Mr. Casey writes.

Moving up

The new building would be known as St. Mary's Academy. The Brothers chartered a corporation, LaSalle Institute of Troy, New York, to run the school. In 1891, the school received its charter from the New York State Regents.

That year, LaSalle formed its Cadet Battalion. Mr. Casey writes,

"Trained in the rigors of military drill, accustomed to uniform and a chain of command, LaSalle men answered the call of their country in each of its wars."

Nearly 300 LaSalle men fought in World War I with nine dying in service. More than 1,200 fought in World War II, and 31 died in service. The school honored one of its graduates, William O'Donovan, a hero of the Bataan Death March, by naming the school's military company after him.

Moving

In 1966, the school moved to its current location in North Greenbush. In 1999, a new state-of-the-art library, a new classroom wing, and new sports fields were added. Plans are underway for a new gym, cafeteria, kitchen and chapel.

Those who attended LaSalle, no matter which building it was located in, had similar experiences. "The building doesn't make a difference," Brother James said. "The spirit and the mission of the school haven't changed."

Emphasis on students

Brother James said LaSalle strives to be a student-centered school with a faculty that is attentive to the needs of students.

"The faculty cares very deeply about the students and their families," he said. "They are dynamic and care about students as persons. They have an enthusiastic desire to teach, and they sacrifice economically to teach here."

Despite the fact that the teachers could earn more in public schools, LaSalle has a very low turnover on its teaching staff, according to Brother James.

Cadets' view

"Here, you have a different experience," he said. "The teachers are very amiable. When I graduate, I will miss the close-knit family between the faculty and the students."

Classmate Seann Mulcahy agreed, saying, "It's an incredible school. Teachers and students have close relationships. There's a camaraderie that makes for a good learning environment both in the classroom and on the playing field."

Service

"Every student participates in service," said Brother James. "We reach out to the poor." Matt agreed, saying, "Service is central. We try to focus on that."

Serving the poor is just one way religion is taught. Each class begins with prayer, and there are daily Scripture readings, a morning communion service and regular liturgies.

"There's a real sense of God's presence in the school," said Brother James.

Order and discipline

At times, parents send their sons to LaSalle for discipline. "If you give a youngster parameters and support and give them kindness, they turn around," Brother James said.

(As the school celebrates its 150th anniversary, 597 students are enrolled in grades six through 12. They come from 48 school districts, some as far away as Saratoga, Hudson, Pattersonville and Hoosick Falls. While the cost to educate a student is $7,912, tuition is $5,490 for the junior high and $6,160 for the high school. LaSalle has twice been named a National School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. Between 98 and 100 percent of recent graduates have pursued college educations.)

(01-27-00) [[In-content Ad]]