The hard work and dedication to academic excellence has paid off in a big way for Abelin S. and David Y., two 8th grade students at St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Academy in Flushing, NY.  In January, they both received offers to attend Regis High School, ranked #1 by Niche out of 1,145 Best Catholic High Schools in the United States.

    Founded in 1914, Regis High School is a Jesuit college preparatory school that enrolls approximately 537 ethnically diverse young men who “demonstrate superior intellectual and leadership potential.”  Regis’ students reside in the Tristate area and have varying socio-economic backgrounds.  Abelin and David, whose parents immigrated from Albania and Taiwan, respectively, will be among 40% of Regis’ student population who are from immigrant families.  

    As the only private, all-scholarship school in the United States, Regis has a highly competitive and selective admission process.  It is open only to baptized Roman Catholic boys with superior grades and a score in the top ten percent on the High School Placement Exam (HSPT).  These students also demonstrate other interests and abilities in school, parish and neighborhood activities.  

    Prospective students must be pre-screened by their elementary schools and must be nominated by their school principal or 8th grade teacher.  According to the Regis’ admissions director, this year, 579 applicants were nominated out of the 1500 pre-screened students.  Approximately 230 students were then selected to be interviewed, and 145 boys were offered seats in January for the Class of 2027.              

    Both Abelin and David are very happy and excited about the opportunity to attend Regis.  They attribute their success to the support from their teachers, principal Ms. Debora Hanna, family and friends.  Abelin is excited to take the school’s English courses, because he loves to read.  He looks forward to developing key qualities such as leadership, generosity and a lifelong passion for service, which are part of Regis’ missions.  He would also like to participate on the soccer team, debate club and the math team.  Abelin’s dreams include attending an Ivy League college and becoming a lawyer.

    David is also looking forward to the great academics, professional faculty and extracurricular actives that Regis offers.  He is interested in learning math and reading Shakespeare, and plans to join the ultimate frisbee sports team, speech and debate club, and math club.  For the past three years, David has been attending Regis’ summer and weekend REACH program, so he is already familiar with the school community.  His current aspirations include majoring in math or business at a prestigious college and becoming an engineer.

    Abelin and David are honored that they will join the many illustrious alumni of Regis, which include talk show and game show host, Regis Philbin, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci, and Fordham University president, Joseph McShane. 

    Congratulations to Abelin and David on their achievement!