Type Private, Coeducational Principal Blair Tiger Grades 9-12 Phone +1 610-437-4601 Mascot Viking and Vikette | Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic Chaplain Rev. Mark R. Searles Enrollment 812 (2016) Number of students 812 (2016) Colors Green, Gold | |
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Address 301 N 4th St, Allentown, PA 18102, USA Accreditation Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Similar Bethlehem Catholic High Sch, Parkland High School, Emmaus High School, Louis E Dieruff High Sch, William Allen High School Profiles | ||
Allentown Central Catholic High School is a private, parochial school located at 301 North Fourth Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, ACCHS predominantly serves students from the Lehigh Valley region of the state.
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ACCHS employs about 50 teaching staff making up 10 departments, as well as a library and guidance department. Students have options to take electives in Informational Technology, Visual Arts and Performing Arts (music, drama and choir). As of 2008, the school's total enrollment is 910 students, with a nearly equal number of female and male students.
History
The school was founded in 1926 by the Right Reverend Leo Gregory Fink, then rector of Sacred Heart Parish. The cornerstone of the new school's first new building was laid on March 21st, 1927. This building, now known as Masson Hall, was placed across 4th Street from Sacred Heart Hospital, on the corner of 4th and Chew Streets.
As the school grew, new buildings were added: those still in use by the school are Rockne Hall in 1940, between Masson Hall and Sacred Heart School on 4th Street, named after Knute Rockne; and Commodore Barry Hall in 1964, behind Masson Hall on Chew Street, named after 18th century US naval hero Commodore John Barry. Other buildings, including parts of the Sacred Heart School building, were used by the school during the second half of the 20th century.
Academics
The school is a multiple Blue Ribbon Award winning school of excellence. Additionally, the Class of 2006 earned $14.5 Million in scholarships and had 3 National Merit Semifinalists, 7 Commended Scholars, 3 National Finalists, 1 Minority Recognition Award Winner and One (of 2,500) National Scholarship Winner. The Class of 2005 had 5 Commended National Merit Scholars, 4 semi-finalists, 4 Finalists, and 1 Scholar.
Athletics
The school competes athletically in the highly competitive Eastern Pennsylvania Conference in District XI of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. From 2002 to 2014 the school competed in the Lehigh Valley Conference. It holds the fourth most Lehigh Valley Conference championships in all sports, behind Parkland High School, Emmaus High School and Easton Area High School. CCHS also holds the record for the most Lehigh Valley Conference championships in girls basketball, girls cross country and girls volleyball.
CCHS plays its home football and some of its soccer games at J. Birney Crum Stadium, a 15,000 capacity stadium on Linden Street between 20th and 22nd streets. The school plays the majority of its indoor sporting events, including basketball and wrestling, in Rockne Hall, the school's historic indoor sporting facility.
The CCHS football team has won three PIAA state championships, in 1993, 1998, and 2010, and nearly a dozen District XI championships. The Vikings made it to the state semifinals three years in a row from 2010-2012. The 2010 and 2011 seasons were led by passing duo Brendan Nosovitch and Kevin Gulyas. Nosovitch threw for over 9,000 yards and ran for over 3,000 yards in his career. Gulyas broke every state receiving record as a senior. 2012 was led by running back Colin McDermott, who ran for over 3,000 yards his senior season.
CCHS is known for its boys and girls basketball teams, which have won conference, District XI and State Championships. The girls team is particularly notable, having won seven state championships, including four in a row from 2001 through 2004. During that record-tying state championship run, the girls basketball team ranked among the best on the entire East Coast in recent years, with USA Today ranking the team seventh in the East in both 2001-02 and 2002-03.
In 2001-2002, both the girls volleyball and girls cross country running teams were State Champions. Additionally, in 2007 and 2008 the girls volleyball team won the AAA state championship. Individual PIAA State Champions include David Rivera (2002 in wrestling), Frances Koons (2003 in girls cross country and 2004 in track and field), Catherine Rose (2008, 2009 and 2010 in diving), and Gabe Castano (2016 in swimming)
Notable alumni
Notable faculty
Alma Mater
Alma Mater, we salute thee, valiant leader of our youth, loyalty we pledge forever, noble teacher of the truth, so we'll sing a song of good old student days, Alma Mater of our fold, and we'll raise on high to all the clear blue skies, our colors green and gold! And joyfully to victory, we'll cheer thee in life's battle old, for we're proud to sing of good old student days, and cheer the green and gold!