Cardinal Stritch High School

History

The groundbreaking for the school was performed on September 21, 1960 by then-bishop of Toledo, Bishop George J. Rehring. The first class entered the following fall. The school is named for Samuel Cardinal Stritch, the second bishop of Toledo during the years of 1921 through 1930, and eventually cardinal archbishop of Chicago.

On the school's website it states, "A twenty-acre site was chosen for the East Side area’s first co-institutional high school." One side of the school was originally reserved for boys’ classes, while the other was for girls’, with co-educational classes being held in the center sections. (The separate wings were integrated in 1971 when all classes became co-educational.) The first principal was Monsignor Michael Walz, who initiated the “Stritch Family” concept.

Succeeding principals include: Rev. John A. Thomas, Rev. Frank Nieset, Sister Louis de Montfort, Rev. Frank Murd and Rev. Robert J. Yeager, E.D. In 1997, the Bishop appointed Rev. John Stites as the first President of the school, and Mr. Timothy Mahoney was assigned the next principal. Mahoney became the first lay person to be assigned principal of the school.

In 2004, Father David Reinhart was appointed president of Cardinal Stritch High School. During his time at Cardinal Stritch High School, Father Reinhart has led an unprecedented upgrade to campus facilities and has given vision to a new way of thinking about Catholic education in light of a theology of stewardship. Under Father Reinhart's leadership, Cardinal Stritch High School has been recognized as one of the top 50 Catholic high schools by the National Catholic High School Honor Roll.

The high school has also taken on leadership roles in the creation of the "Live It" initiative and the Kateri Education Project, a regional study of Catholic education. Most importantly, the school has clarified its vision as being a place that forms disciples of Jesus Christ. They have adopted a service learning program, "Stewards of Stritch", moved from monthly to weekly Mass for all of its students, and helped the entire high school community focus toward the Eucharist as the source and summit of the faith and therefore, at the center of the school.

Mrs. Kelli Malinowski was appointed principal for the 2010-2011 school year and stepped down on August 26, 2011. Mr. Tim Malone was appointed as the next principal, and is the third lay person to be principal of Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School.

National Honor Roll

In the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School was named one of the Top 50 Catholic High Schools by the Catholic High School Honor Roll.

Cardinal Stritch Facts

Every classroom at Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School is fully equipped with a SmartBoard. Every classroom is also equipped with an air conditioner.

To visually show how important a Catholic education is at CSCHS, every classroom contains a crucifix.

Once a week, all CSCHS students attend some form of Catholic worship at school. Forms of worship that take place includes: two separate chapel services (freshmen with sophomores and juniors with seniors), all school liturgy and eucharistic adoration.

Every grade attends a class retreat each year. The Senior class goes on a three-day retreat called Kairos. The Junior class does a day of community service. The Sophomore and Freshmen classes each do a retreat on getting to know each other and have conversations about life. Students can also participate in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

All CSCHS students are invited to be a part of men's and women's Discernment Groups.

CSCHS has the largest lockers for students of any secondary school in the Toledo area.

The school has undergone multiple renovations during the 2011 school year, 2011 summer break, and 2012 school year that include:

New paint in every hallway, restroom and classroom

New signage

New gymnasium floor

New senior class courtyard

Renovated cafeteria with new wood flooring and seating

Installed stained-glass windows

Remodeled chapel with 7 ft. tall crucifix and new carpeting

Completely remodeled science labs

New hallway flooring

New classroom ceilings and lighting

Additional offices

New golf training room with golf simulators

50 Year Anniversary of Cardinal Stritch

On May 19, 2011, the school celebrated its 50-year anniversary with a mass presided by Bishop Leonard P. Blair. It was announced that the school would add the word "Catholic" to its official name and a brand new school logo was unveiled. Cardinal Stritch High School is now officially known as Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School.

Student iPad Program

Beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, every incoming freshman at Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School will be given an Apple iPad.

"Alma Mater"

In our minds we see your glory Hearts so faithful looking back We revere you Alma Mater, We salute the red and black. Cardinal Stritch we fondly cherish, Brilliant red and solid black. Love you give and love you ask for, In return how much we lack. Yet we pledge our love imperfect, To the red and to the black. Yet we pledge our love imperfect, To the red and to the black.

Written by Sister M. Amata, OSF

Fight Song

We are Card'nals shouting out a cheer For famed Stritch High. We are Card'nals winging far and wide This vict'ry cry. We will fight with all our might And soar to vic-to-ry. We're the best of all the rest And best we will be For we are fighting Card'nals shouting Out a cheer for VIC-TO-RY...FIGHT!

Ohio High School Athletic Association state championships

Wrestling - 1985

Notable alumni

Bryan Smolinski, professional ice hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks

Robert Croak, creator of Silly Bandz