Salesian College Preparatory

History

The Salesian House of Studies opened on the campus as a seminary for future Salesians. In 1960, the school became Salesian High School and began allowing boys of west Contra Costa County to attend.

In 2006, the school changed its mascot from the Chieftain to the Pride, amid nationwide controversy over the use of Native American related mascots in athletics. In 2013, the school began using iPads instead of textbooks for some classwork.

In 2014, on the 50th anniversary of its first graduating class, the school changed its name to Salesian College Preparatory. It was also named the "best faith-based high school" by Parents' Press magazine.

Charitable works

Since 1991, the school has held an annual golf tournament fundraiser at the Richmond Country Club to support disadvantaged students.

In 2015, the school raised funds to help Middletown High School after the town was devastated by the Valley Fire. Salesian also received an anonymous $250,000 donation to update the science lab for STEM studies.

Sexual abuse

As part of a larger sexual abuse scandal in the Salesian order in 2006, two instances of sexual abuse occurring between 1969 and 1979 at Salesian High School (now Salesian College Preparatory) resulted in a large settlement for one victim and a jury award to another. In late 2019 after a year-long investigation CNN reported that the Salesian order shifted around pedophile priests from the then Salesian High School for decades and pressured and intimidated victims.

Notable alumni

• Jahvid Best, Olympic athlete, NFL player
• Jabari Bird, NBA player
• Jabari Brown, NBA player
• Russ Critchfield, professional basketball player
• Mike Dirnt, musician, songwriter, and singer (transferred to Pinole Valley High School)
• Angel Jackson, professional basketball player
• Kamil Loud, professional football player
• Rick Stuart, radio disc jockey
• Gene Taylor, professional football player
• Cecilia Vega, 60 Minutes Correspondent

References

References

1. "Principal's Welcome".
2. "Directory of Schools".
3. "North & East Neighborhood Council page".
4. O'Donnell, Matt. (October 13, 2016). "St. Patrick-St. Vincent High reflects on long football rivalry with Salesian". [[Vallejo Times Herald]].
5. (February 23, 2016). "Salesian boys and girls basketball teams win respective Tri-County Athletic League titles". Richmond Standard.
6. Radin, Rick. (February 13, 2015). "Indian mascot discontinued at John Swett High School". [[East Bay Times]].
7. Ferreira, Trenise. (September 12, 2013). "Salesian High School brings iPads to the classroom". [[UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism]].
8. "History".
9. (January 2026). "Salesian named county's 'best faith-based high school' in Parents' Press Magazine".
10. Childers, Linda. (July 2013). "The Best of 2013". Parents' Press.
11. (January 2026). "Salesian announces 25th annual golf tournament fundraiser supporting disadvantaged students". Richmond Standard.
12. (January 2026). "Salesian raising funds for Middletown High".
13. (August 3, 2015). "Salesian biology lab overhaul a 'boost for STEM curriculum'".
14. Russell, Ron. (October 4, 2006). "Troubled Order". [[SF Weekly]].
15. [https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/12/02/pedophile-priests-operated-at-this-bay-area-school-for-decades-this-is-the-catholic-order-that-covered-up-their-abuse/ Pedophile priests operated at this Bay Area school for decades. This is the Catholic order that covered up their abuse] {{Webarchive. link. (December 3, 2019 , ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'')
16. Zirm, Jordan. (July 17, 2016). "Jahvid Best, Whose NFL Career Was Cut Short Due to Concussions, is Officially Headed to the 2016 Summer Olympics". [[Stack magazine.
17. (January 2026). "Salesian alum Jabari Bird named Pac-12 Player of the Week". Richmond Standard.
18. (May 6, 2015). "Lakers rookie Jabari Brown reminisces about winning title with Salesian". Richmond Standard.
19. "Russell Critchfield Stats".
20. (2006). "Nobody Likes You: inside the turbulent life, times, and music of Green Day". Hyperion.
21. (May 4, 2018). "2017-18 California All-State Girls Basketball Teams".
22. "Kamil Loud Stats".
23. Fong-Torres, Ben. (May 27, 2011). "KFOX's 'Big Rick' Stuart big on radio". [[San Francisco Chronicle]].
24. "Gene Taylor Stats".
25. "Media Mania".