La Salle Academy is a private, all boys high school in the New York City borough of Manhattan. Founded in 1848 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, La Salle was first known as Saint Vincent's School when it first opened on Canal Street. It moved to Second Avenue in 1856 and changed its name to La Salle Academy in 1887. In 2010 La Salle relocated to 215 East 6th Street, sharing the building with St. George Ukrainian Catholic School. Various offices are still located in the Second Street building. Throughout its history, La Salle has been home to thousands of "Brothers' boys".
Early years
La Salle Academy was founded in 1848 when John Hughes, then Bishop of New York, invited the Christian Brothers to establish a school in the city. They opened St. Vincent's School in a church basement on Canal Street. In 1856, St. Vincent's School moved to East Second Street and Second Avenue, a plot of land that once belonged to Washington Irving. The brothers renamed the school La Salle Academy in 1887. The New York State Board of Regents granted La Salle a charter in 1896. In 1936, the brothers built a five-story building in order to accommodate increasing enrollment. Over the first half of the 20th century, La Salle Academy's enrollment grew immensely, from 98 in 1906 to 950 in 1948.
Later 20th century
In 1966 the school purchased the Moskowitz and Lupowitz Restaurant on the corner of Second Avenue and 2nd Street. This became the school's annex that housed the Guidance Department, the Academic Support Center, the Art Department, Drama Club activities, Music Department and more classrooms. Today, the annex currently houses the offices of the President, Development, Recruitment & Admissions and the Christian Brothers' residential community. In 1997, La Salle received accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and in 1998 celebrated its 150th Anniversary. In 2000, La Salle was named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education for excellence in education. La Salle received an “exceeding national expectations” evaluation in its 2018 report in fall 2017, followed by a Certificate of Accreditation in May 2018 from the from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools on Elementary and Secondary Schools accreditation team. On assessing the school’s Catholic charism, La Salle Academy was blessed to have been given an exceptionally positive review by the Christian Brothers of the District of Eastern North America. Dr. Catherine Guerriero became La Salle's first female President in 2014.
Notable alumni
Both Patrick Hayes and George Mundelein graduated from La Salle Academy in 1887 and became the Archbishops of New York and Chicago, respectively. For this reason, La Salle Academy's mascot became the Cardinals. La Salle Academy's rich athletic programs have produced many successful athletes. Metta World Peace '97 is a former basketball player for various NBA teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers. Bakary Soumare '05 is a retired professional soccer player who played for the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer and the Mali national soccer team. In addition, God Shammgod '95, Eddie Elisma '93, John Roche '67, Tom Owens '67 and John Candelaria '72 are all notable alumni of La Salle Academy. In addition, film, television and Broadway actor Barnard Hughes '33 also attended La Salle Academy.. Director of the cult classic film Mr. Hush, David Lee Madison was a graduate of the class of 1989. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3729006/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1.
Extracurricular activities
The school's Forensic Society won the 1945 state championship. La Salle's Glee Club, which was directed by Phil Carney, performed for Martin Luther King at New York City Hall in 1965.
