Catholic Central High School (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
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Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School is a Catholic high school located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. The first private coeducational high school in the country, it was founded in 1906 by the Diocese of Grand Rapids so that those attending grammar school at local parishes could continue their education.
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[edit] History
[edit] The beginning
Catholic Central was formed in 1906. At its inception the school consisted of two separate buildings: the boys' school, and the girls' school. During this time there was very little interaction between the two sexes. Just a few years before World War I started, a disastrous fire erupted, destroying the boys' school entirely. For about a year afterward, the girls attended school in the morning, and the boys were taught in the girls' school in the afternoon.
[edit] Expansion
It was eventually realized that the two schools belonged together, so, in time, the boys' school and girls' school became one and members of both genders attended school together.
After World War II, Catholic Central experienced an influx of students. The small campus could not handle those attending, so in 1962 West Catholic High School was founded by sending freshmen and sophomores to a new location referred to as "the annex". Both schools held four grade levels of students as new students from the west side started to attend West Catholic, and the others Catholic Central.
[edit] To The Present
In the late 1980s, Catholic Central underwent a dramatic transformation as much of the school was renovated and a new wing was added to the school. In the late 1990s, a new one-story building was added next to the main building; in 2003, a second floor was added to accommodate the Religion Department.
In the 2005-2006 school year, Catholic Central celebrated 100 years of service to the Grand Rapids community. Events included a Speaker's Series focusing on Faith and Education, Community Service Projects, memorabilia to commemorate the event, a historical display, and the release of a book celebrating the centennial. A Centennial parade, a football game vs West Catholic, and a Winter Sportfest drew large crowds to enjoy the Centennial festivities.
[edit] Administration
The school has had many principals over the years. The current CC principal is Steve Passinault, and the Assistant Principal is Tom Maj.
[edit] Sports
The school's sports teams are collectively referred to as the Cougars, and the school colors are Royal Blue and White. They compete in the Grand Rapids City League, along with two other private high schools and four public high schools.
State Championships (MHSAA unless noted):
- 1943 Football - Open Class (mythical championship)
- 1949 Football - Class A (Detroit Free Press & mythical championship)
- 1951 Football - Class A (Detroit Free Press)
- 1959 Football - Class A (Associated Press & Detroit Free Press)
- 1982 Boys cross country - Class B
- 1984 Boys cross country - Class B
- 1985 Baseball - Class B
- 1987 Football - Class B
- 1987 Girls cross country - Class B
- 1998 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
- 1999 Competitive cheer - Class B
- 1999 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
- 2000 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
- 2001 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
- 2003 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
- 2004 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
- 2005 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
State Runners-up (MHSAA unless noted):
- 1955 Football - Class A (Associated Press)
- 1969 Football - Class A (Associated Press)
- 1978 Football - Class B
- 1981 Boys cross country - Class B
- 1983 Boys cross country - Class B
- 1994 Baseball - Class B
- 2002 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
- 2003 Baseball - Division 2
- 2005 Football - Division 4
- 2006 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
- 2006 Ice hockey - Division 3
- 2007 Ice hockey - Division 3
