Catherine McAuley High School
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Catherine McAuley High School of Portland, Maine is an all-girls' college preparatory school that is run by the Sisters of Mercy. McAuley is the only single-sex high school in the state of Maine. The school was established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1970 and is named for their foundress, the Venerable Catherine McAuley of Dublin. Catherine McAuley High School is the successor school of two other all-women's Mercy schools, Saint Joseph's Academy (1881-1969) and Cathedral High School (1909-1969).
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[edit] Campus
McAuley's classrooms and offices are housed in the main building, the gymnasium, and the Academy. The main building and gym are connected by the glass-enclosed "mall," which acts as both atrium and cafeteria. The former St. Joseph's Academy building now houses the Advancement Office as well as Latin, English, Spanish, history, math, religion, and art classrooms. In 2005, the Sisters of Mercy donated land to the school so that the students could have several new athletic fields. The land once held shrines to saints, stations of the cross, and a grotto to the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary. McAuley High added a wireless network in 2006.
[edit] Academics
Catherine McAuley offers an honors track as well as five AP courses [1]. Students must complete yearly service requirements in order to graduate. In addition to their service requirement, seniors complete a service project in May prior to graduation. McAuley has a 98% college placement rate [2].
[edit] Extra-curricular activities and athletics
[edit] Clubs and activities
McAuley's students are involved in many clubs and activities. McAuley's AP Government class has won the "We the People" state champions for four consecutive years [3].
The McAuley Limelighters have a tradition of excellence as Western Maine Drama champions [4].
The Spanish department runs an annual exchange with the Colegios Padre Hurtados y Juanita de los Andes in Santiago, Chile.
McAuley's Key Club runs a variety of programs to serve the needy families of Portland and Southern Maine. During the annual Service week, the Key Club raises money for the Shriner's Children Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
[edit] Athletics
The school offers Class-A cross country, field hockey, soccer, basketball, cheering, indoor track, swimming, lacrosse, softball, tennis, and track and field. Catherine McAuley traditionally produces strong swimming, tennis, and basketball teams, and recently has had much success in cross country.
[edit] Dress code
Students are required to wear a uniform consisting of a red plaid skirt, tights, and a white oxford blouse. Shoes must be close-toed. Accessories are left to the discretion of the students.
