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Cathedral Catholic High School (CCHS) is a Coeducational Catholic Christian High School in San Diego, California . It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese Of San Diego . The school opened its doors in August 2005. In its first year (2005-2006), CCHS had 1550 students. Each year, it is expected that an estimated 100 transfer students as well as an incoming freshman class will enroll at CCHS. The number of students at CCHS is set to cap of at an estimated 2,000, twice the number that the previous facility, University Of San Diego High School (Uni), could accommodate. MISSION The Mission of Cathedral Catholic High School is to assist parents in the spiritual, intellectual, and physical development of their children. To facilitate this mission, the school provides the students with a college preparatory academic curriculum and programs that offer the guidance and values necessary for Christian formation. In addition, the school offers numerous extracurricular opportunities in which students may participate; these include: fine arts, student government, athletics, clubs, and service organizations. As a Catholic college preparatory school for young men and women, Cathedral Catholic High School is committed to the holistic development of each individual student to his/her potential. Cathedral Catholic envisions students as responsible individuals who have a positive sense of self-worth formed in a nurturing community of faith based on the ministry of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church. It is our intent that they carry a love for learning and a spirit of intellectual curiosity on their continuing journey of personal growth. We foresee that these students will contribute constructively to the society and environment in which they live. CCHS seeks students who demonstrate ability to succeed academically in a college preparatory environment, who have a proven record of academic success, and who demonstrate a desire to participate in the Catholic school community. PHILOSOPHY As a Catholic college preparatory school for young men and women, Cathedral Catholic High School is committed to the holistic development of each individual student to his/her potential. CCHS believes in promoting academic achievement through a rigorous program of liberal study in a nurturing community of faith based on the ministry of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church. The Faculty and Administrative Team at CCHS recognize that education, to be meaningful, must be student-centered. We perceive that each student is a unique and creative individual, shaped by differences in interest, ability, family background, economic status and ethnic heritage. At the same time, we acknowledge that a common ground is shared by all students: that each is loved by God and each is involved in a lifelong process of learning. This knowledge forms the foundation of an educational enterprise which is spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, social, and cultural. Cathedral Catholic believe that parents must continue to serve as the primary educators for students. We further believe that teachers should serve to assist parents and students as facilitators in the educational process and as role models for Christian behavior. Within an orderly academic environment, students are challenged to master basic skills and concepts, to develop the ability to think critically, to acquire habits of lifelong learning and to grow in faith. We seek to provide an organizational environment that ensures a commitment to excellence by all members of the school community. Christian values help to foster an educational environment based on integrity, respect and trust. As administrators, teachers, parents, staff, alumni/alumnae and students, we seek to form a cohesive bond of compassion and love, united in an educational ministry which is mutually supportive. The result of this union is a fellowship of learning that is reverent, honest and open to divergent points of view. Cathedral Catholic asserts that its most vital role as a Catholic School is to prepare our students for responsible leadership as committed Christian individuals, each contributing to a global community of justice, love and peace. ALMA MATER Proudly Dons tell the world, that we sing to the glory for our Red and Gold. For courage we stand, and for honor we die, as we go through this land, with our heads held high. We live for our Savior, and by our behavior, you'll know we're the DONS! CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC COMMUNITY PRAYER Lord Jesus Christ, Let my gifts change the world. Help us live the call, and to Build the Kingdom. Veni Sancte Spiritus. Amen ALUMNI ASSOCIATION The CCHS/USDHS/CGHS Alumni Association was formed to foster a spirit of unity and loyalty among the alumni, past parents and past faculty of the school. The Association serves as a continuing link between the school and its members, encouraging interest in activities and support through annual giving. Each member receives a copy of the Alumni Newsletter and special mailings to facilitate communication of events and information concerning graduates. ADMISSIONS Cathedral Catholic requires that prospective students are required to make application by January 5 for the following academic year. Students whose application have been received by that date will automatically be registered to take the High School Placement Exam (HSPT) on January 20, which is used to determine if a student is academically prepared for Cathedral Catholic, as well as for placement in classes. On the application is a recommendation from an 8th grade teacher as well as a small essay that must be written by the student. SCHOOL TESTING Once a student is admitted to CCHS there are a variety of tests administered each year, some mandatory and some not. For freshmen the mandatory National Educational Developmental Test (NEDT) shows students where they stand in relation to other those who score in the 95th percentile or higher. For Sophomores there are two tests, one of which is the PLAN, pre- ACT test taken by most of the students. The other test administered (usually for Sophomores in English 2A classes) is the PSAT/NMSQT or Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Considerations can be made for Sophomores in regular English classes who wish to take the PSAT. For high scores in the PSAT, students may receive prestigious National Merit Scholarship awards. These awards usually entail monetary awards. For Juniors and Seniors the SAT or ACT can be taken whenever a student wishes, so long as a test date is available. CLASSES AND BLOCKING CCHS currently implements a block scheduling for classes. The block scheduling splits the number of classes, 6, to 3 per day. The days are named Red, Gold, and All, corresponding to the school colors. A "red day" consists of Class Periods 1 through 3, a "gold day" consisting of Class Periods 4 through 6. On an "all" day, all 6 classes are taught. If needed a student may take a "0 period" class, which meets everyday, and is in the morning before most students start class. In addition, there are also 7th period classes (band, yearbook, etc), which teach a fine arts class. A common reason for taking a "0" period class is either to alleviate a courseload, or to fit more classes into a schedule. A "7th" period class may be taken in addition to the regular schedule, to meet up with the fine arts requirement for graduation. More information regarding courses can be found in the CCHS curriculum guide. {Link without Title} INNOVATIVE CLASSES Being the largest Catholic high school in the San Diego region, CCHS boasts a wide array of innovative classes. Some of these are the only ones of its kind in the state of California.
FINE ARTS CCHS provides a variety of fine arts classes, including Multimedia Authoring, Choir, Dramatic Arts, Art, and Photography. CCHS students may also join the school band, which performs under the direction of Dirk V. Koman of Classic Brass {Link without Title} . Those students who are involved with acting, stage, or stage crew may also join CCHS's Drama Troupe. The troupe, formerly under the direction of Brian Bennink (formerly of the Microsoft Theatre Troupe) and now under the direction of Katie Wilson, carefully rehearses (some rehearsals on Saturdays, and going to midnight) and performs two major shows per year, one in the fall, and a musical in the spring. The troupe also invites young playwrights to audition and show off their own shows in the annual Student-Produced Shows, which take place following the spring musical. More information can be found at {Link without Title} ATHLETICS Cathedral boasts a wide array of athletic teams including the Fall sports of Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Women's Tennis, Women's Golf, Women's Volleyball, and Men's Water Polo. Winter sports include Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men and Women's Soccer, Women's Water Polo, Wrestling, and Surfing. Spring sports include Badminton, Baseball, Men's Golf, Men's Tennis, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Men's and Women's Lacrosse, Track and Field, and Men's Volleyball. Non-seasonal sports include Sailing, Cheerleading, and Dance Team. RIVALRIES While Cathedral Catholic is in solidarity with its fellow Catholic schools, it is not without notable and longstanding rivalries. St. Augustine High School has traditionally been the rival to CCHS/USDHS and this is exemplified in the massive student turnout for basketball and football games. The football stadium at Southwestern College has been used for numerous USDHS-Saints, and will continue to be used for CCHS-Saints football games due to the high attendance. The San Diego City College Gymnasium has been the longtime location for the USDHS-Saints Basketball games, and is still in use today when St. Augustine is the home team. Fortunately, when CCHS is the home team, they are able to play in their very own gym. COUNSELING CCHS has five full-time academic counselors, each assigned to a specific group according to last name. The counselors are available at any time during the day, or reachable by email or phone. The counselors' duties are to help students in every way possible, to assure them to make the right choices, whether its choosing a class for the upcoming year, or if a student is having a tough time in a particular class. Counselors are also open to counseling regarding personal, non-academic issues. SACRAMENTAL SERVICE AND SPIRITUALITY Cathedral Catholic High School is very dedicated to its Catholic Christian faith. Every month, CCHS' Campus Ministry holds a school wide Mass for all students and faculty, held inside the school gymnasium. While full of fun, music, and great homilies, the Masses are a way not only to worship our God, but to come together as one community, the Cathedral Catholic/Uni community. CCHS has two on-campus chaplains, Father John Puodziunas and Father Craig Haider. Father John is the principal chaplain for the school, but also holds the position of Vicar Provincial in the Assumption BVM Province of the Ordo Fratrum Minorum (Franciscans) and as such may not devote all his time to his Chaplaincy at CCHS. When Father John is unavailable, Father Craig holds his place as campus chaplain. Mass is celebrated each morning at 7:15, followed by morning prayer at 7:45. Many students and faculty attend these morning celebrations. ORGANIZATIONS Thanks to the large and increasing enrollment at CCHS there are numerous clubs and organizations to partake in. A vast array of clubs include the Art Club, Animators Club, Young Republicans Club, Invisible Childrens Club, Guitar Club, Mexican Club, Latin Club, Italian Club, German Club, Irish Club Science Club, Animators Club, Prayer and Rosary Club, Friends of Animals Club, Pan-Asian Cultural Awareness Club French club, Travel Club, Monty Python Club, The Interact Program (Rotary). Well acclaimed organizations include the California Scholarship Federation (CSF), and the National Honor Society (NHS). CCHS also offers two classes which take a role in leadership. The Associated Student Body (ASB) class is for junior and seniors who wish to learn good leadership skills for their future careers. Students are allowed to run and be elected for ASB through all their high school career, but they are only allowed to take the class as a junior or senior. ASB members are involved in student outreach, planning major school events such as dances, and to keep up the school spirit. The ASB is moderated and taught by Mr. Chad Colden. The CCHS Campus Ministry is another leadership course in the school. However, Campus Ministry takes on an aspect based on the Catholic life. This Junior and Senior class enrolls students in the Ministry Practicum, which is the required religion course for the year. Campus Ministers are involved with numerous tasks, including student retreats, religious events, and school liturgies. The Campus Ministry is taught by Mr. Joseph Cannon, Ms. Stephanie Johnston, and Mr. James Jordan. The Ambassadors for Christ Corps is the third leadership opportunity at CCHS. While there is no class offered, students in this organization still develop leadership. Student ambassadors take on various public school-wide events at CCHS, including back to school night, athletic events, school events, and giving campus tours to visitors each week. Students are allowed to sign up for the program in their freshman year, and those chosen become ambassadors in their sophomore year. Students who do not wish to take ASB or Campus Ministry can continue the program up through their senior year. The Ambassadors are led by Mr. Thomas Rickling. Together, these three organizations form the United Leaders Council (UL) of CCHS. The UL meets approximately once a month. The teams and their moderators work together to help build and form better leadership, and to help make the life at Cathedral Catholic High School even better. FINANCIAL AID As part of Bishop Robert H. Brom's "Secondary Education Initiative", all students from Catholic schools are entitled to financial assistance. UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL Though CCHS follows in the footsteps of USDHS, they are not alike in every single detail. The fact that USDHS was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School greatly separates the two schools. Many special activities and offerings from USDHS are no longer implemented or used at Cathedral Catholic, such as the Scrip Program, Star Gala, Amphitheater, Off-Campus P.E., and Off-Campus Lunch. The University Of San Diego High School is recognized as the foundation for Cathedral Catholic High School, but Cathedral states no more than that in its history. SEE ALSO
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