Shadow Visit Days

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 an admissions overview, brief tour, two classes, and have lunch with current students and staff.

​Who Can Shadow?
Students in 8th grade can shadow September – early December.  Follow the registration instructions below to create a Pius XI account, or to sign into a current account.  This is the same account as a student’s admissions application.  
Students in 7th grade can shadow February – April.  Registration information will be available in January.
Interested transfer students should have a parent email [email protected] to discuss visit options.

 How should my student prepare for the day?

• Arrival time is 8:30am.  Students can be dropped off at the main entrance, or park in designated visitor spaces. There is an admissions information session and brief tour at the beginning of each shadow day that parents are welcome to attend.
• Pick up time is 12:30pm on Wednesdays and 11:15am Fridays.
• Guests should bring a small bag or backpack to hold any personal belongings.
• Pius XI is a phone free school.  Guests who bring a phone will turn it off and store the phone in a backpack for the entire shadow day experience.
• Lunch is provided on Wednesdays.
• Guests must follow all Pius XI rules, including the Pius XI dress code policy.  Details will be provided in the shadow day confirmation email.

Registration:

• Click the "Pius XI Account and Shadow Day Registration" link below.  You will be redirected to Ravenna where you will create a Pius XI account using an email address and password.  We advise using a computer, laptop or iPad for Ravenna.  Cell phones do not offer full functionality (Note - If you are a returning family with an existing Ravenna account, you can sign 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.  Note that starting October 23, students wishing to shadow must be in applied status.
• 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 should see options for shadow days where you can select your date of choice.  Please note that registration for shadow days will close when the day is full, or 5 days prior to the shadow date.
• If you are not able to access the shadow day options at this point, please email [email protected] for technical assistance.  
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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.