President’s Message
Dear Salpointe Lancers,
Salpointe is proud to be a Carmelite school and we honor this legacy by giving gratitude to the men and women who breathe life into our sacred mission. We would not be the school we are today without the dedication of our faculty and staff, the commitment of our boards and committees, the confidence of parents who entrust Salpointe with the education of their children, and the generosity of our donors. As we build the next chapter of Salpointe’s story, we recognize that our narrative is most powerful when Lancers come together as one community to celebrate our traditions, our faith and our vision for tomorrow.
Salpointe is long known for bold initiatives, mission-driven decision making and visionary leadership. This year is no exception. Acting with courage and resilience after the arson fire destroyed the 700 wing on July 17, 2022, the school decided to turn this adversity into opportunity: we would rebuild for the future, not the past. Working with Rick Huch and Seaver Franks Architects, who designed our Sayre Stevens Student Center and Stearns Center for the Arts, we developed a plan to construct a Wellness Center that includes eleven new academic classrooms, further defining our commitment to holistic education as we develop the whole child. Now, thanks to the generosity of many donors who believe in the mission and vision of Salpointe, construction is underway and the building will be dedicated in December 2024. Your commitment to this sacred place is tangible! We are forever grateful!
Salpointe continues to lead as a high school of distinction. The school is nationally accredited by Western Catholic Education Association, internationally accredited by Cognia and our Cracchiolo Family STEM Center is nationally accredited by STEM.org. We offer college prep, honors, and 23 Advanced Placement courses as well as 21 dual credit with the University of Arizona, Seton Hill University and Pima Community College. Salpointe continues in our mission to educate the whole child: spiritual, intellectual, artistic, physical, emotional, social and environmental. I look forward to 2024-2025 being another banner year of excellence in all areas, including Humanities, athletics, fine and performing arts and STEM.
Salpointe is a Catholic school, in every class, every activity and every moment. Our shared faith guides the way we care for ourselves, each other and our world. Our Lancers live the Carmelite spirit of prayer, service and community day in and day out. They participate in countless Masses, Theology classes, Days of Recollection, Kairos retreats and they serve our community with thousands of volunteer hours. We are proud that our Lancers are steeped in our faith and that it guides their lives.
Congratulations are in order for the 320 graduates of the class of 2024. The members of this class were accepted to over 220 colleges and universities across America and the world. In addition to Arizona’s fine universities, members of this class were offered acceptance to prestigious universities such as NYU, William and Mary, Notre Dame, Georgetown, University of Southern California, Fordham and Wake Forest to name just a few. The members of this class earned $25M in merit academic scholarships. Thirty-nine students were Salpointe Scholars with grade point averages of 4.0 or higher. The strength, determination and resolve of this class are admirable.
The Carmelite Order and Salpointe’s leadership are grateful to our highly engaged Board of Directors who guide the school to fulfill its mission. Under the able leadership of Chairman Pat P. Lopez, Jr.,’74, the members of the Board of Directors, the Academic, Advancement, Athletic, Facilities, Finance, Governance, Investment and Strategic Planning committees provide invaluable oversight to all areas of the school.
Finally, we extend gratitude to the Salpointe Catholic Education Foundation board led this past year by Dev Sethi and now by Brianne Tirrito Toole, the Salpointe Parent Association board led by Suzette Valenzuela Bennen ’91, and the Salpointe Alumni Council, led by Kelly Fleming Pelletier ’88, for serving the needs of the Lancers. The SCEF works to maintain excellence in education, SPA builds community by hosting welcoming events for our Lancer students and parents, and the Alumni Council helps our over 17,000 alumni stay engaged. We are grateful for their unfailing support!
It is always a great day to be a Lancer and we invite you to join in our pride! You, our Lancer family, are an integral part of Salpointe’s past, present and future.
Gratefully,
Kay Sullivan
President
