Cathedral Catholic High School

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Cathedral Catholic High School
Address
5555 Del Mar Heights Road
San Diego, California, (San Diego County), 92130
 United States
Coordinates 32°57′37″N 117°12′1″W / 32.96028°N 117.20028°W / 32.96028; -117.20028Coordinates: 32°57′37″N 117°12′1″W / 32.96028°N 117.20028°W / 32.96028; -117.20028
Information
Type Private, Coeducational
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established 1957 / 2005
President James Tschann (President Emeritus), Steve Laaperi
Principal Michael Deely
Asst. Principal Margaret Mauro, Dave Smola
Chaplain Fr. Brian F. Kelly, PhD
Faculty 94
Grades 9-12
Enrollment 1,730  (2011–2012)
Color(s) Red and Gold         
Athletics 27 sports
Mascot The Don
Team name Dons
Accreditation(s) Western Association of Schools and Colleges[1]
Publication El Sol (art/literary magazine)
Newspaper 'El Cid'
Dean of Students Robert (Bobby) Tubbs
Admissions Director Margaret Mauro
Athletic Director Dave Smola
Activities Director Elizabeth Tysor
Director of Counseling Sharon Rubalcava
Formerly Known as University of San Diego High School
Website www.cathedralcatholic.org

Cathedral Catholic High School (CCHS) is a private coeducational Catholic High School in San Diego, California. It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, and was originally founded as the University of San Diego High School in 1957. CCHS was conceived in 1999, and the school moved to its current location on Del Mar Heights Road in Carmel Valley and changed its name in August 2005. Cathedral Catholic got its name in honor of the original Cathedral Girls High School, which merged with USDHS in 1970 to become the second co-ed Catholic high school in San Diego.

Contents

[edit] Alumni Association

The CCHS/USDHS/CGHS Alumni Association was formed to foster a spirit of financial responsibility and loyalty among the alumni, past parents and past faculty of the school. The Association serves as a continuing link between the school and its members, encouraging interest in activities and support through annual giving. Each member receives a copy of the Alumni Newsletter and special mailings to facilitate communication of events and information concerning graduates. The current alumni director is Lawrence Fitzgerald Jr., and the current president is Martin Correia (Class of 1987).

[edit] Admissions

Students are required to take the High School Placement Exam, given January of each year, which is used to determine if a student is academically prepared for Cathedral Catholic, as well as for placement in classes. Also required in the application process is a recommendation from an 8th grade teacher as well as a small essay that must be written by the student.[citation needed]

[edit] Academics

[edit] School testing

All courses at CCHS are college preparatory. Once a student is admitted to CCHS there are a variety of exams administered each year, some mandatory and some not. As of 2008, freshmen take the EXPLORE exam (similar to a PACT), which shows students where they stand in relation to other those who score in the 90th percentile or higher are recognized at an end of the year awards ceremony. Sophomores and Juniors take the PSAT. For high scores in the PSAT, students may receive prestigious National Merit Scholarship awards. These awards usually entail monetary awards. For Juniors and Seniors the official SAT or ACT can be taken whenever a student wishes, so long as a test date is available. These two tests are not administered at CCHS however. Accommodations are made to students who qualify for extended time or other circumstances. Advanced Placement examinations are also offered in their respective subjects given at CCHS in May of each year. Taking the AP examination after the completion of a CCHS AP course is mandatory, otherwise the student will not receive the added point on their GPA. CCHS is well-respected for its 16:1 student to teacher ratio, the average class size being 20.

[edit] Classes and blocking

CCHS currently implements a block scheduling for classes. The day begins at 8:10 am, and concludes at 2:00 pm The block scheduling splits the number of classes, six, to three per day.

[edit] Innovative classes

CCHS boasts a wide array of innovative[citation needed] classes. Such include:

  • Oceanography - an optional science class that can be taken by sophomores and above who have completed biology. This class deals with the physical, geological, chemical, and biological aspects of bodies of water.
  • Honors Asian Studies - CCHS is the only school in California that has an Honors Asian Studies course[citation needed]. This course was initiated by Mrs. Davis, a current history teacher at CCHS. Since it is an Honors level course it is weighted on a five point scale.
  • Multimedia Authoring - a UC-approved course in Video Production and Authoring. The course has expanded since its inception in 2002, and currently emphasizes on film production and web design. There is no pre-requisite to taking the program. Students learn editing using the Final Cut Pro studio, shooting with the Sony PD-170 and Canon EOS Rebel T2i and the process of short film production. Students are required to complete one short-film project per semester (in groups), in addition to working on PSAs and analyzing films. Students also learn the basics of website creation, utilizing Adobe Dreamweaver and other web design utilities. Students used to be involved with production of the weekly school newscast, but it has since been transitioned to the TV Production class, and is no longer required of Multimedia Authoring students. Students can take this year-long course continuously for multiple Fine Arts credits.
  • Television Production - a newly approved UC course that emphasizes on television production. This class produces a weekly 10-minute video magazine (called Cathedral Catholic TV, or CCTV), which airs every Friday morning. Students who apply for this class must have previously taken Multimedia Authoring, or schedule an interview with the instructor Michael Caine. Students in this course learn the aspects of television broadcasting, including research, storyboarding, development, set design, and technical design. Students also learn the basics of Final Cut Pro and the camera techniques taught in Multimedia Authoring, but directed more towards broadcast production rather than film. This course was recently upgraded to a year-long program, rather than a semester course.
  • Dramatic Arts and Advanced Drama - Dramatic Arts are one of the classes that can be taken to enjoy the wonders of a performing art. The drama program emphasizes on the history of Drama and Theater, including playwriting, historical relevance, and acting skills.
  • Technical Dramatic Arts - Exclusive to the school[citation needed], this course emphasizes on the aspects of theater tech, including Set Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Costume and Prop Design, and Stage Management. Students in this hands-on project-based course design take on many different projects relating to all the aspects of the class. Usually these class projects tie into the design and building of the stage for the theatrical production of the semester.
  • Guitar
  • AP Studio Art

[edit] Visual & Performing Arts

CCHS provides a variety of Visual & Performing Arts classes, including Drama and Advanced Drama 1-2, Multimedia Authoring 1-2, CCTV Broadcast and Video Journalism, Journalism, Photography, Art 1-2, Art 3-4, Ceramics, Introduction to Guitar, Choral Music, Concert and Pep Band, AP Art History, and AP Studio Art. After-school courses in Band, Journalism, and Yearbook are also available.

Students who are involved with Theater as actors/actresses or in tech production can also join the CCHS Drama Program the program headed by Ms. Katie Wilson. The program produces two major shows each school year, a Fall Drama and a Spring Musical. In addition, a Student Playwright Festival is held each year showcasing plays written, produced, and directed by CCHS' own students. The Advanced Drama class also produces a short musical for the late spring season. Each school year of drama culminates with The Fandango Awards, CCHS Drama's own version of the Tony Awards.

Shows that have been presented by CCHS Drama

[edit] CCHS Annual Student Film Festival

Entering its third annual in 2009, Cathedral Catholic holds a Film Festival each May. Short films written, cast, produced, and directed by students either in the Multimedia Authoring course, or in their own groups, are showcased, judged, and awarded at this big event. In addition, CCHS also invites other schools throughout San Diego to submit films to be screened and judged at the festival.

[edit] Athletics

Cathedral has a wide array of athletic teams including:

Cathedral Catholic is also the home of the 2007 Division II Mens Football and Women's Volleyball State Champions.

[edit] Dons Football Season 2011

The Cathedral Catholic Dons football team won their 5th consecutive CIF Division III title against the Olympian Eagles at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2011. The Dons beat the Eagles in a dominating performance 41-0. The Dons had a first round bye to later meet the Lincoln Hornets and the Point Loma Pointers who they beat to make it to "The Q." Stellar athletic plays made by the Dons offensive players and a shutout posted by the physical All-County Dons defense helped them succeed in winning their 5th title.

[edit] Dance Team

The Cathedral Catholic Dance Team is a varsity dance team exclusive to CCHS. This team originally started as the UNI Dance Team before the opening of CCHS. The Dance Team was founded by Sara Orbita in 2002, and she is still the current coach/choreographer. The team dances in many styles such as Hip Hop, Lyrical, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Ballet, and Tap. They dance at school pep rallies, dance competitions, and during halftime for varsity football and basketball games. The team also holds an annual spring performance, showcasing their work from the past year.

The CCHS Dance Team first went to competition February 2006 with their small lyrical team and placed 5 out of 20. The next year they went to competition in January and Feb of 2007 with a small lyrical team, medium jazz, large hip hop, and 3 soloist division. Lyrical’s highest placement received was 4th and with qualifying scores for nationals, medium jazz placed 6th with qualifying scores for nationals, and large hip hop placed 2nd and qualified for nationals. Last year, in 2008, the dance team went to competition competing in solos, small lyrical, and hip hop. They placed 2nd in hip hop at regionals and qualified for nationals. The team attended regionals at USA Dance & Spirit Circuit and the regionals took place at Aliso Niguel HS, Glendale HS, and San Pasqual HS.[2]

Each year there is usually about twenty to twenty-five dancers on the team and they each come from different backgrounds of dance. This is a year-round sport and the year ends with their dance concert/recital in the spring displaying past work as well as new pieces created by the students as well as new pieces created by their Coach.

[edit] Rivalries

While Cathedral Catholic is in solidarity with its fellow Catholic schools, it is not without notable and longstanding rivalries like St. Augustine High School and The Academy of Our Lady of Peace. The Bishop's School and La Jolla Country Day School have also traditionally been the rivals to USDHS/CCHS in athletics. The rivalries are exemplified in the massive student turnout, especially for basketball and football games. By far the most notable rivalry is between St. Augustine High School and USDHS/CCHS. The football stadium at Southwestern College has often been used to accommodate the large numbers of spectators for the "Holy Bowl", the affectionate name for the USDHS/CCHS-St. Augustine football game, as its capacity is larger than both schools' usual home fields. The San Diego City College Gymnasium was the traditional location for the USDHS/CCHS-St. Augustine basketball games, and is still in use today when St. Augustine is the home team.

[edit] 2007 CCHS vs. Saints Football Game

The CIF San Diego section confirmed in early November that the 2007 face-off of the CC/USDHS Dons vs. the Saint Augustine Saints (affectionately known as the "Holy Bowl") had been cancelled due to the wildfires that raged through San Diego towards the end of October. Both schools were shut down during this time, thus the teams could not practice or prepare for the football game, which was scheduled for October 26, 2007. (In fact, all high school sports events in San Diego County were cancelled during this week, and none of the football games were rescheduled.)

This was the first time that the annual showdown with the Saints did not take place. CIF decided not reschedule the game, as high school football had progressed to the playoff phase shortly after the fires, and there was no slack time in the schedule to allow for a rescheduled week of games. Cathedral progressed to the CIF Division Championships and went on to win the Division 3 CIF game against Point Loma.

[edit] Hall of Fame

The University of San Diego High School Athletic Hall of Fame was established to commemorate past alumni, faculty, and coaches for their hard work over the years in USDHS Athletics. Every fall, new members are added to the Dons Hall of Fame, which is now displayed at the Claver Center Gymnasium at CCHS.

The 2008 inductees for the Dons Hall of Fame include:

  • Rob Zenker (1979) for Football
  • Amy Seidlinger (1990) for Basketball
  • Amy Booth (1995) for Softball
  • Vanessa Hanley (1995) for Cross-Country and Track and Field
  • Pua Tuyay (1999) for Volleyball
  • Angie Woznuk (2003) for Soccer
  • Colleen and Gene Robinson for being Friends of Dons Sports
  • The 1995 Softball Team
  • The 1997 Girls Track Team

[edit] Counseling

CCHS has six full-time academic counselors: Julianne Velasco, Sharon Rubalcava, Ashley Bascom, Dave Silva, Elaine Jung, Lou Centanni.

[edit] Pastoral Care and Counseling

Every month, CCHS' Campus Ministry holds a school wide Mass for all students, faculty, and community, held inside the school gymnasium.

In addition to the schoolwide liturgies, daily mass and Lauds (Morning Prayer) are celebrated each morning before school in the St. Therese Chapel on campus. One of the three chaplains celebrates mass, followed by morning prayer led by student campus ministers.

CCHS currently has one full-time chaplain and two part-time chaplains. Along with the campus liturgist and director of retreats, they provide pastoral care and counseling services for faculty, staff, student body and families.

[edit] Campus Ministry

The CCHS Campus Ministry department is divided into three practicums: Liturgy, Retreat, and Music.

Juniors who participate the Liturgy practicum are involved in planning, preparation, and setting up for schoolwide liturgies, as well as daily Lauds (morning prayer). In addition, Junior ministers also assist and minister to the Freshmen and Sophomore retreats.

Juniors/Seniors who participate the Music practicum are involved in planning and preparing music for all Campus Ministry events, including liturgies, retreats, and celebrations. The mixed class is divided up into Instrumentalists and Schola (Choir), rather than junior/senior.

Seniors who participate in the Retreat practicum are involved in planning, preparing, and leading student retreats.

Retreats are held throughout the year. Freshmen retreats are divided up into two days, and freshmen attend the retreat based on their religion class scheduling. Sophomore class retreats are held on two days as well, but dividing up the days between all-girls and all-boys. Junior and Senior retreats are held off campus, and last 2½ days.

[edit] Organizations

Thanks to the large and increasing enrollment at CCHS there are numerous clubs and organizations to partake in. A vast array of clubs include the Art Club, Animators Club, International Humanity Foundation (IHF), Rady Children's Hospital Club, Young Republicans Club, Invisible Children’s Club, Guitar Club, Mexican Club, Latin Club, Italian Club, Rotary, World-Link, German Cderation (CSF), and the National Honor Society (NHS). All clubs must have a faculty sponsor, and all club suggestions are required to seek approval before permission is given to organize and meet.

The Associated Student Body (ASB) is for students from all years who wish to learn good leadership skills for their future careers. Students are allowed to run and be elected for ASB through their entire high school career. Junior and Senior members may also opt to take the ASB Leadership course, which emphasizes on team spirit. ASB is run by the school's Director of Activities.

The Ambassadors for Christ Corps are the third leadership opportunity at CCHS, founded at USDHS in the early 90s by Mrs. Estelle Kasselbaum. While there is no class offered, students in this organization still develop leadership. Student ambassadors take on various school-wide events at CCHS, including back to school night, school events, and giving campus tours to visitors. Students are allowed to sign up for the program in their freshman year, and chosen through an interview, those chosen become ambassadors in their sophomore year.

These two programs, along with Campus Ministry form the United Leaders Council (UL) of CCHS. The UL meets approximately once a month. The teams and their moderators work together to help build and form better leadership, and to help make the life at Cathedral Catholic High School even better and full of spirit, for both school and faith.

[edit] Financial aid and scholarships

As part of Bishop Robert H. Brom's "Secondary Education Initiative", all students from Catholic schools are entitled to financial assistance.

Various scholarships are also available in memory to notable alumni from USDHS. These scholarships are awarded to returning students based on Academic, Athletic, Artistic, or through Service.

[edit] Food service and maintenance

CCHS employs Sodexo to provide meals.

[edit] University of San Diego High School

Cathedral Catholic High School follows in the footsteps of USDHS. One of the key differences is that USDHS was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School, whereas CCHS is recognized as a new institution. Many special activities and offerings from USDHS are no longer implemented or used at Cathedral Catholic, such as the Scrip Program, Star Gala, Amphitheater, Off-Campus P.E., and Off-Campus Lunch, due to the new location.

The Class of 2008 was the final freshman class from USDHS. Since their graduation, UNI's legacy and memories have been left in the hands of the faculty and students who have history at USDHS. The CCHS/USDHS/CGHS Alumni Association is currently working to provide more reunions and alumni services for all three institutions.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ WASC-ACS. "WASC-Accrediting Commission for Schools". http://www.acswasc.org/directory_search.cfm. Retrieved 2009-06-05. 
  2. ^ Orbita, Sara. Telephone interview. 17 Apr. 2009.

There are no references.

[edit] External links

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