The Catholic High School of Baltimore is an independent, private, all-girls, Roman Catholic high school in Baltimore, Maryland sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia.[1]
History
Through the efforts of Archbishop of Baltimore Michael Joseph Curley and Provincial Superior of the Sisters of St. Francis Mother Mary Generosa McCafferty, the Catholic High School of Baltimore was built in 1939 on the property known as the Raming Estate. The intended name of the school was "The Curley High School of Baltimore," however Curley disliked having a school named after himself. Instead, he exchanged the word "Curley" for "Catholic."[2]
Academics
Overview
The Catholic High School uses a 4.0 scale for GPA. It also uses a grading system different from the one most commonly seen in United States high schools.[3]
| Letter | Percentage | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 100-97 | 4.0 |
| A | 96-93 | 4.0 |
| B+ | 92-89 | 3.5 |
| B | 88-85 | 3.0 |
| C+ | 84-81 | 2.5 |
| C | 80-77 | 2.0 |
| D+ | 76-73 | 1.5 |
| D | 72-70 | 1.0 |
| F | Below 70 | 0 |
Quarterly academic achievements are recognized using Gold and Silver Honors. A 3.75 GPA and no grade beneath a B+ are needed for Gold Honors. A 3.5 GPA and no grade beneath a B are needed for Silver Honors.[4]
Honor societies
The Catholic High school is currently associated with eight honor societies: National Honor Society (The Mother Generosa Chapter), National Art Honor Society, National Dance Honor Society, National English Honor Society (Sister Corda Marie Bergbauer Chapter), National Science Honor Society, French Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society.[5]
Programs
Honors Program
The Honor Program is designed to provide students with more challenging and rigorous academic courses. Students in this program will be enrolled in honors-level classes and can take Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Dual-enrollment courses are also offered for juniors and seniors, allowing students to earn college credit.[6]
College Preparatory Program
The College Preparatory Program prepares students for college and future careers. [6]
Archangel Program
The Archangel Program is a two-year program assisting freshmen and sophomores with academic difficulties.[6]
Law and Leadership Program
The Law and Leadership Program is a four-year program focusing on responsible leadership, ethics, and the legal system. Leadership in the Franciscan tradition is emphasized, and classes such as Public Speaking and Criminal Justice are taken.[6]
STEM Program
The STEM Program is a four-year program with a specialized focus in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. There are three concentrations for this program: Engineering, Biomedicine, and Sports Medicine.[6]
The McCafferty Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Program
The McCafferty VPA Program is a four-year program with five concentrations. Students in this program have the opportunity to build portfolios, participate in regional competitions, have their art shown in exhibitions, and perform at Catholic High events. There are five concentrations for this program: Art, Band, Choir, Dance, and Theatre.[6]
Extracurricular activities
Athletics
The athletic philosophy of the Catholic High School emphasizes the importance of physical conditioning and training as well was the development of sportsmanship, self-discipline, and healthy competition. All teams, with the exception of Cheerleading, are a part of the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland.
| Sport | Varsity Conference | JV Conference |
|---|---|---|
| Cross Country | B | - |
| Field Hockey | C | - |
| Soccer | C | - |
| Volleyball | B | B |
| Sport | Varsity Conference | JV Conference |
|---|---|---|
| Basketball | C | C |
| Cheerleading | - | - |
| Indoor Track | B | B |
| Swimming | C | - |
| Sport | Varsity Conference | JV Conference |
|---|---|---|
| Golf | B | - |
| Lacrosse | C | - |
| Outdoor Track | B | - |
| Softball | A | A |
Clubs and councils
The Catholic High School of Baltimore offers a variety of clubs to promote diverse interests, including Astronomy Club, Barbershop Club, Beautiful Me Club, Chess Club, Duns Scotus Forensics Society, Green School Club, Marine Environmental Club, Mathletes, Media Club, Model UN, Nurse's Club, Sea Perch Robotics, STEP Team TCHS-TV, Ukulele Club, VEX Robotics, and Youth and Government.[5]
The school also has councils such as the Culture and Diversity Council, Human Trafficking Cohort, and Student Council, which provide platforms for leadership development, school and community engagement, and personal growth.[5]
Traditions
Hello Day
Hello Day is an annual tradition where seniors (Big Sisters) welcome the freshmen (Little Sisters) and transfer students (Cub Buddies) to the school. Each senior is paired with a freshman. The day begins with the Big Sisters, Little Sisters, and Cub Buddies gathering in the Dining Hall where each Little Sister and Cub Buddy receives a basket of presents from her Big Sister. Afterwards, the entire student body enters the auditorium to watch skits performed by students and staff.[8]
Junior Ring
Early in the school year, the members of the Junior Classes are given their class rings during the Junior Ring Liturgy. During the liturgy, the rings and the class are blessed.[8]
Senior bows
Rising seniors are provided with green ribbon bows they wear on their kilts. These bows are adorned with the various pins and honors the student has received during her time at Catholic High.
Dances and proms
Several dances and proms occur throughout the school year. The Snow Ball is a dance sponsored by the Student Council held in January for the entire student body.
The sophomore, junior, and senior classes each have an exclusive dance or prom. The sophomore class has a semi-formal dance held at Catholic High, while both the junior and senior classes have proms held off-campus.[8]
Miss Catholic High and Students of the Year
At the end of every school year, one student from each class is chosen to be their respective Student of the Year. The senior Student of the Year is referred to as Miss Catholic High and has the honor of crowning Mary at the May Crowing Procession with the other Students of the Year in her court.
Senior Picnic and Farewell
After senior exams, the senior class gathers together to celebrate their time at Catholic High. There is a Farewell Assembly where the seniors share memories and faculty say goodbye and wish the class well.[8]
Sports traditions
Powder Puff game
The Powder Puff Game is an annual game of flag football. Members of the junior and senior classes compete against each other.[8]
Pep rallies
Three Pep Rallies occur every year, one for each season. During a pep rally, the respective sports teams are recognized for their achievements. Games are also played for Field Day points. [8]
Spirit Stick
The Spirit Stick is a decorated stick every Big Sister passes on to their Little Sister. [8]
Spirit Week and Field Day
Spirit Week and Field Day are celebrated in the spring. Each day of Spirit Week, students are allowed to dress down according to the theme of the day. On Friday of Spirit Week is Field Day, which is a friendly competition between each class. Each student represents their grade by wearing their specific class colors.
Notable alumnae
- Margaret A. Brewer '48: First female brigadier general in Marine Corps history.[9]
- Stacy Keibler '97: Former professional wrestler and 2nd runner-up on Dancing with the Stars, season two
- Gina Schock: Drummer for The Go-Go's[10]
See also
Notes and references
- ^ Florence. "Incorporated Ministries". The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ "About Us | The Catholic High School". www.thecatholichighschool.org. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ "Academic grading in the United States", Wikipedia, 2024-04-26, retrieved 2024-07-08
- ^ "The Catholic High School Handbook" (PDF). The Catholic High School of Baltimore Handbook. 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ a b c "Student Life | The Catholic High School". www.thecatholichighschool.org. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ a b c d e f "Academics | The Catholic High School". www.thecatholichighschool.org. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ a b c "The Catholic High School Of Baltimore". The Catholic High School Of Baltimore. 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Student Life | The Catholic High School". www.thecatholichighschool.org. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ Schudel, Matt (11 January 2013). "Margaret A. Brewer, first female general in Marine Corps, dies at 82". Washington Post.
- ^ Tarr, Hope C.; Shaffer, Kendell (October 2021). "She's Got the Beat: Go-Go's Drummer Gina Schock Credits Local Roots for Rock and Roll Success". Baltimore Magazine. Rosebud Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 12, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
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