Shadow Visit Days (Fall 2023)

Why Shadow?
Students who shadow at Pius XI Catholic High School will see up close for themselves a day in the life of a Pius XI student.  Guests will attend classes, lunch, meet teachers and make new friends during the course of their day.

​Who Can Shadow?
Shadow days in the fall are available to students in 8th grade.  Dates through November 3 are open for any student currently in 8th grade with a Ravenna account in Explore or Applied status.  Starting November 7, students must be in the Applied status to register for a shadow day.  Please note that our application deadline is November 6.

When?
The following dates are available fall semester:

• September 21, 26 and 28
• October 5, 10 and 25
• November 3, 7, 9, 14, 16 and 30
• December 6

How should my student prepare for the day?

• Arrival time is between 7:20-7:35am.  Parents can drop off in the car line, or park in spaces 7-17 in the parking lot.
• Pick up time is 2:00pm Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  Wednesday pick up time is 12:45pm.
• Guests should bring a small bag or backpack to hold any personal belongings, including a book or school work for any resource times during the day. 
• Pius XI is a phone free school.  Guests should leave their phones at home.  If they must bring a phone for the end of the day, it must be turned off and stored in a backpack for the entire shadow day experience.
• Lunch is provided.
• Guests must follow the Pius XI dress code policy.  Details will be provided in the shadow day confirmation email.

How do I register for a shadow day?

• You will first need to make a Pius XI account on our admissions portal called Ravenna.  We advise using a computer, laptop or iPad for Ravenna.  Cell phones do not offer full functionality.
• Click the gold "Pius XI Account and Shadow Day Registration" button below.  You will be redirected to Ravenna where you will create an account using an email address and password.  (Note - If you are a returning family with an existing Ravenna account, you can log in using your email and existing password.  If you need to add a new student to your account, you are able to do so.)
• You will be asked some simple demographic and school history questions.  When completed, you will be directed to the Ravenna Dashboard. 
• From the Dashboard screen, choose the green button that says ‘Apply to a School’.  Choose Milwaukee as your region, and Pius XI Catholic High School will be one of the school options.
• Once you have chosen Pius XI Catholic High School, you will choose either the ‘Explore’ button or ‘Apply’ button.  Students in 8th grade who are ready to apply, should choose ‘Apply’. Students in lower grades, or who are not yet ready to apply, should choose ‘Explore’.
• Once you have gone thru the ‘Explore’ or ‘Apply’ page for Pius XI, you will go back to the Ravenna Dashboard Page where you will see your student’s name.  Click on the student name and you will see Pius XI Catholic High School next to a ‘View Steps and Events’ Button. 
• Click the ‘View Steps and Events’ Button.  You will be redirected to a screen with information about the application process and upcoming events.  Please wait at least 15 seconds for this screen to refresh.  Scroll down this page and you will see various events available for registration, including Admissions Overview Events, Open House, and Shadow Days.  You will be sent an automatic email with details of your registration.

Find the View Steps and Events Page and scroll to find the shadow dates available.  Please note that registration for shadow days will close when the day is full, or 4 days prior to the shadow date.

PIUS XI ACCOUNT & SHADOW DAY REGISTRATION

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Take A Virtual Tour of Pius XI Catholic High School

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Explore our Campus

Chapel
Located off of the main lobby, our Chapel seats around 150 people and is primarily used for smaller masses and prayer services.  In the chapel you’ll see the San Damiano cross. This cross can be seen in every classroom in the building.

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​Field House and Fitness Center (located on the first floor)
Built in 2003, our Field House has four basketball courts, six volleyball courts, and is capable of hosting indoor track & field meets. The Field House also contains a rock wall, wrestling room, batting cages, weight room, and fitness center. 

​Counseling (located on the second floor) 
​The Pius XI Counseling Center supports with college and career planning, academic support, as well as social and personal development. Just like each student is assigned a TAC teacher, each student is assigned a counselor. That counselor will work with the student throughout all four years.  

Learning Commons (LC)
Located off of the main lobby, the Learning Commons offers a quiet study space for students during the school day. Students working on their own or in small groups can be seen throughout the day, as well as peer to peer tutoring. In addition to hosting peer tutoring, the LC also hosts the Writing Center and Post-Secondary Lab, where students will find resources for ACT and AP test prep. 

Engineering (located on the first floor) 
We are proud to offer the national Project Lead the Way program in Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Computer Science. Students have access to a 3-D printer, two engineering computer labs, and multiple workshop rooms . 

Performing Arts Center (located on the second floor) 
The 500-seat Wendy Joy Lindsey Theater is home to Pius XI’s main stage musicals, dance performances, choir, band and orchestra concerts. The Carron Family Gallery and Joseph & Harriet Kern Gallery feature rotating exhibitions by Pius XI visual arts alumni and current students.  
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Special Studies (located on the 4th floor) 
​The Pius XI Special Studies Program provides academic support for students diagnosed with a Specific Learning Disability. Students are 100% mainstreamed into the regular Pius XI classroom curriculum.  The department also offers Reading Strategies, which is designed to assist students in attaining their potential in reading competency.

Black Box Theater (located on the 5th floor) 
​Our 90-seat Black Box Theater hosts theater classes and plays throughout the year, including Student Play Festival, which features plays written, directed and performed by Pius XI students.                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Visual Art (located on the 6th floor) 
Our nationally recognized visual arts program is a place where students learn to share their ‘voice’ through art. Through a sequential course curriculum over 4 years, Pius XI provides students a unique opportunity to develop their best creative selves.  

TAC 
Teacher Advisor Contact (TAC) is the Pius XI homeroom program and consist of all grade levels. TAC provides a network of support for students, with upperclassmen mentoring the younger TAC students. 

Faith Life 
We gather as an entire school community monthly to celebrate Mass in our Field House. Masses are planned by students and staff.  Each day, our community stops to be still and listen to a 3-minute meditation (Examen) where we all reflect on our day, express gratitude and focus on what we can work on. Students are provided with a retreat experience each year and service hours are required all four years. ​

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Performing Arts (located on the 4th and 5th floor) 
Pius XI Performing Arts offers a full four-year, scoped and sequenced curricular program in Dance, Drama, Vocal and Instrumental Music that ranges from absolute beginner to college audition major preparation and AP Music Theory.

Student Life 
​At Pius XI we know that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. Through a variety of clubs and activities students become leaders, make new friends, and challenge themselves in new areas of interest.  

In the Classroom
With over 120 different course offerings, 16 AP courses in all subject areas, and the ability to take elective classes starting freshmen year, students are encouraged to develop a variety of interests and build a passion for personal growth and learning.