Central Catholic High School (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Infobox_School
name = Central Catholic High School


imagesize = 150px
motto = Pro Deo et Patria
(For God and Country)cite web |url=http://www.pittcentralcatholic.org/aboutus/2006%20-%202007%20Handbook.pdf |title=2006-2007 Parent/Student Handbook |accessdate=2006-12-19]
established = 1927
type = Catholic
affiliation =
district =
grades = 9–12
president =
principal = Bro. Richard Grzeskiewicz
head of school =
dean = Mr. Richard Capretta
faculty =
staff =
students =
enrollment = 845
athletics =
conference =
colors = Blue and Gold
Colorsample|#002366 Colorsample|#FFD700
mascot = Viking
free_label =
free_text =
free_label2 =
free_text2 =
location = 4720 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213 coord|40.44667|N|79.94556|W|type:landmark|display=title
information = 412-621-8189
website = [http://www.pittcentralcatholic.org/ Central Catholic High School]
picture =

Central Catholic High School is a Roman Catholic college preparatory school for boys in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is a part of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

History

Located in the city's cultural district of Oakland, the designated historic landmark school is one of the most architecturally significant in Western Pennsylvania. Built in Flemish Gothic style with soaring towers and stabilizing buttresses, the school building is emblematic of the values and skills imparted there. It is a rich symbol in brick, slate, and stone of the Christian Brothers' educational heritage that emphasizes faith, scholarship, and service.

When Central Catholic was founded by Bishop Hugh Charles Boyle in 1927 as Pittsburgh's first Diocesan high school, its goal was to prepare young Catholic men of the diocese for leadership roles in Pittsburgh. For 80 years, Central Catholic graduates have fulfilled that mission in the Church, business, government, professions, and trades.

Like other schools of the Christian Brothers, Central Catholic affirms the value of the individual student. The success of the school's program can be measured in the impressive number of academic scholarships earned by graduates and by the percentage of students who pursue higher education—nearly 100 percent.

Central Catholic High School offers a variety of academic courses. With more than 15 Advanced Placement courses, and 30 honors courses, Central Catholic focuses on developing men with strong intellectual capabilites. This school is noted for the strength of the English and Mathematics departments; as indicated by students' achievement on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT),and the number of students who are recognized in academic competitions (essay contests, quiz bowls, etc.) throughout the city and surrounding counties. They are a school that strives to prepare students for the academic rigors of college life; helping them to develop the abilities to think critically, write concisely, read analytically, and speak effectively.

tudent Life

The school also has a storied athletic history that includes recent championships for swimming, track & field, tennis and football. The school also offers basketball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, fencing, bowling, ice hockey, in-line hockey, golf, crew and cross country

Students may also choose to participate in forensics (debate & public speaking), newspaper, yearbook or the performing arts. The school is located on Fifth Avenue in the Oakland district of the city, and is directly adjacent to Carnegie Mellon University and within blocks of the University of Pittsburgh.

The school's mascot is the "Viking", and it had a long-standing rivalry with North Catholic High School until enrollment greatly declined at North Catholic. The Central Catholic Crew Club has a very successful history.

Notable alumni

* Marc Bulger - starting Quarterback, St. Louis Rams [cite web |url=http://www.stlouisrams.com/Team/Players/47603/ |title=Marc Bulger #10 |accessdate=2006-12-21 |work=St. Louis Rams Official Website] [cite news |first=Mike|last=White |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05238/558775.stm |title=Tradition of Western Pennsylvania quarterbacks continues|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |publisher=PG Publishing Co. |date=2005-08-26|accessdate=2007-01-25]
* Regis Cordic - radio personalitycite web |url=http://www.pittcentralcatholic.org/alumni/halloffame.html |title=Alumni Hall of Fame |accessdate=2006-12-21 |work=Central Catholic High School Web Site]
* John F. "Jack" Donahue - Founder and Chairman of Federated Investors, Inc.
* Bill Hillgrove - American sports journalist, radio personality, and sports broadcaster. [cite web |url=http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/wtaenewsteam/301750/detail.html |title=Channel 4 Action News Team: Bill Hillgrove |accessdate=2006-12-21 |work=WTAE-TV Channel 4 Web Site]
* Dan Marino - Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback, Miami Dolphins
* Michael McGough - prominent Supreme Court reporter
* Lewis C. Merletti - director of the United States Secret Service
* Zachary Quinto - actor, appears as Sylar on the show "Heroes" [cite news |first=Rob |last=Owen |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06337/742543-237.stm |title=TV Preview: Pittsburgh native Quinto is face of 'Heroes' villain |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=2006-12-03 |accessdate=2006-12-21]
* John Tierney - Former Op Ed writer for the New York Times
* Tom Savini - special effect and makeup expert [cite news |first=Dimitri |last=Vassilaros |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_158240.html |title=Creepshow mastermind delivers scares nationwide |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |date=2003-10-04 |accessdate=2006-12-21]
* August Wilson - playwright (Did not graduate) [cite news |first=Christopher |last=Rawson |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05276/581786.stm |title=Obituary: August Wilson, Pittsburgh playwright who chronicled black experience |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=2005-10-03 |accessdate=2006-12-21]

References

*cite book | author=Toker, Franklin | title=Pittsburgh: An Urban Portrait | location=Pittsburgh | publisher=University of Pittsburgh Press | year=1986, 1994 | id=ISBN 0-8229-5434-6

Notes

External links

* [http://www.pittcentralcatholic.org/ Central Catholic High School Home Page]
* [http://www.diopitt.org/ Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Home Page]