St. Pius X High School (SPX) is a private, co-educational Roman Catholic college-preparatory high school in Houston, Texas. It was founded in 1956 by the Dominican Sisters of Houston and is rooted in the Dominican charism of Veritas (“Truth”).[2][1] In 2023, canonical sponsorship transferred to Dominican Veritas Ministries, a pontifical public juridic person established to sustain Dominican secondary schools in the United States.[3]
| St. Pius X High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
811 W. Donovan Street[1] Houston , Texas 77091 United States | |
| Information | |
| Other name | SPX |
| Type | Private, co-educational |
| Motto | Veritas (Truth) |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic (Dominican) |
| Established | 1956, Dominican Sisters of Houston [2] |
| Oversight | Dominican Veritas Ministries (since 2023)[3] |
Principal | Rachel Ware[1] |
President | John W. Bates, V[4] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 655 (2024–2025)[5] |
Campus type | Urban |
| Colors | Black, white, gray, and orange[6] |
| Athletics | TAPPS[4] |
| Mascot | Beppo the Panther[6] |
| Team name | Panthers[6] |
| Yearbook | Del Sarto[7] |
| Website | www |
SPX is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Education Department and Cognia (SACS CASI), and it is a member of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS).[4] The school serves students in grades 9–12 on its Northwest Houston campus,[4][5] where programming integrates the Dominican Four Pillars of Prayer, Study, Community, and Preaching.[4]
History
editSt. Pius X High School was founded in 1956 by the Dominican Sisters of Houston with the support of the Diocese of Galveston–Houston (now the Archdiocese).[2][1] The school opened in September 1956 with ninth- and tenth-grade students and grew into a four-year high school by 1958.[1]
On September 1, 2023, the Dominican Sisters of Houston joined four other Dominican congregations in activating Dominican Veritas Ministries (DVM) and transferring sponsorship of nine schools, including St. Pius X High School, to the new PJP.[3]
Campus
editThe school is located at 811 W. Donovan Street in northwest Houston (ZIP 77091).[1]
Academics
editSPX offers a college-preparatory curriculum and is a non-ranking high school.[4][8] In 2024–2025 the school implemented an eight-day rotating block schedule and moved to a one-to-one, school-sponsored laptop program to support a cohesive learning environment.[4] Students complete Christian service learning as part of graduation requirements.[4]
Student life and ministry
editThe school’s Dominican identity emphasizes the Four Pillars—Prayer, Study, Community, and Preaching—which are integrated into academics and co-curricular programs.[4]
Athletics
editTraditions and identity
editNotable alumni
edit- Justin Anderson (Class of 2011) – MLB baseball player for the Los Angeles Angels[11]
- Tony Braunagel (Class of 1967) – musician[12]
- Norman F. Carnahan (Class of 1960) – American chemical engineer and scientist
- Chris Harrington (Class of 2003) – Former NFL linebacker[13]
- Jackson Hurst (Class of 1997) – actor[14]
- Gary Kubiak (Class of 1979) – Former NFL quarterback and head coach[15]
- Gary Majewski (Class of 1998) – Former MLB relief pitcher[16]
- Alex Morono (Class of 2008) - Mixed Martial Arts Fighter
- Kohl Stewart (Class of 2013) – MLB baseball player for the Minnesota Twins[17]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "History and Governance". St. Pius X High School. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Pioneers of Catholic education, Dominican Sisters of Houston continue ministry today". Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Dominican Veritas Ministries Activation and Sponsorship Transfer". Dominican Life USA. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "School Profile 2024–2025 (PDF)" (PDF). St. Pius X High School. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- 1 2 "School Profile – Quick Facts". St. Pius X High School. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "New look represents new era for St. Pius X High School". Houston Chronicle. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- 1 2 "Student/Parent/Guardian Handbook 2023–2024 (PDF)" (PDF). St. Pius X High School. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ↑ "Course Catalog 2024–2025 (PDF)" (PDF). St. Pius X High School. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ↑ "St. Pius X renames football arena Kubiak Stadium". Houston Chronicle. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ↑ "St. Pius X renames football stadium after Gary Kubiak". KTRK/ABC13. 11 November 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ↑ Jeff Jenkins (March 5, 2010). "Baseball: Veteran-led Panthers focus on repeat bid". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ↑ "Meet Tony Braunagel '67". St.Pius X High School. September 12, 2017. Archived from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
- ↑ "Chris Harrington". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
- ↑ Barnes, Michael (May 22, 2010). "How Do I Know You, Jackson Hurst?". Austin American Statesman. Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
- ↑ Matt Musil (July 31, 2013). "Kubiak's HS coach visits Texans practice". KHOU. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013.
- ↑ McTaggert, Brian (July 19, 2010). "Hurler Majewski joins hometown team". MLB.com. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
- ↑ Graff, Chad (June 6, 2013). "Twins draft prep pitcher/QB Kohl Stewart, insist he'll pick baseball". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved May 1, 2014.