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Detroit Catholic Central High School

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Coordinates: 42°29′22″N 83°32′26″W / 42.48944°N 83.54056°W / 42.48944; -83.54056
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Detroit Catholic Central
Address
Map
27225 Wixom Road

Novi
,
(Oakland County)
,
Michigan
48374

United States
Coordinates42°29′22″N 83°32′26″W / 42.48944°N 83.54056°W / 42.48944; -83.54056
Information
TypePrivate
MottoTeach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Congregation of St. Basil
Patron saint(s)Mary, Alma Mater (The Blessed Mother)
Established1928
PresidentFr. John Huber, C.S.B.
DeanMitch Hancock
PrincipalRev. Dennis P. Noelke, C.S.B.
ChaplainRev. James O'Neill, C.S.B.
Grades9-12
GenderBoys
Color(s)Royal Blue and White   
Athletics conferenceCatholic High School League
MascotShamrock
Team nameShamrocks
RivalBirmingham Brother Rice High School
AccreditationNorth Central Association of Colleges and Schools[1]
NewspaperThe Spectrum
YearbookThe Shamrock
Tuition$11,200
Websitewww.catholiccentral.net

Detroit Catholic Central High School, commonly known as Catholic Central (CC), is a private, Catholic, all-male, college preparatory high school in Novi, Michigan. Founded in 1928 in Detroit, Michigan by the Archdiocese of Detroit, the school is operated by the Congregation of St. Basil. The school was originally located on Harper Avenue in Detroit with an enrollment of 280 students; the school has made several moves in its history and now has an enrollment of over 1,000 students at its 60-acre (240,000 m2) campus in Novi.

"Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge" is the motto of the school which strives to prepare young men to become productive members of Church and Society.

The school nickname "Shamrocks" represents the three persons of the Trinity, as shamrocks have three clovers. The school colors, Royal Blue and White, are the colors of the school's patron and alma mater – the Virgin Mary. Red is sometimes used as a secondary color in athletic team uniforms.

History

Detroit Catholic Central was founded in 1928 in Detroit and was originally located on Harper Avenue, at the site of Holy Rosary Church. In 1934, control of Catholic Central was assumed by the Basilian Fathers and the school moved to 60 Belmont Street, just north of Woodward Avenue site of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit. The school's enrollment continued rising, so the Basilians purchased a 17-acre (69,000 m2) tract of land on the corner of Hubbell and West Outer Drive. Though the planned construction was not complete until 1961, Catholic Central moved into 6565 West Outer Drive (a site that would later be occupied by the Detroit Public Schools' Renaissance High School and is presently occupied by the Foreign Language Immersion School) in 1951.

The Belmont Street location later housed the similarly named Detroit Cathedral High School, staffed by the Brothers of Christian Instruction from 1954 until 1970, when the building closed as a high school for good (it was later used as a satellite campus for Wayne County Community College). The building was raised during the remodel of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.

Detroit Catholic Central would remain on West Outer Drive until 1978, when it moved out of the city of Detroit. CC utilized a former middle School in Redford (George C Marshall Junior High) that became available when the South Redford School District consolidated its two junior highs into one school. Although this was only intended to be a temporary move, Catholic Central remained in Redford at 14200 Breakfast Drive for another 27 years. In July 2005, the school relocated to 27225 Donoher Drive in Novi.[citation needed]

The current campus, built for $30 million, opened in August 2005. At the time it had 920 students.[2]

Reputation

Five full computer labs are available for curricular use. Additional computers are available in the Media Center, science labs, the yearbook and newspaper centers, and in the art and music suites. Every student is provided with his own user name and e-mail account. The school is at the far northwest corner of the city of Novi, near Wixom. The school is referred to as Detroit Catholic Central.

In 2007, Catholic Central was one of 400 schools in the nation identified by ACT, Inc. as having a challenging core curriculum that significantly improved ACT test scores for all students.[3]

Academics

The curriculum of Catholic Central High School is designed to meet the special needs and interests of all students while developing skills and attitudes basic to their social and civic studies. The style of education offered is classical in its approach. Students are required to spend a lot of time outside of the normal class day to do homework and study. The average amount of homework per night is 5 hours. It offers an integrated Catholic approach and is endorsed by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools leading to a fully accredited high school diploma.

Courses are offered in Art, Chinese, Computers, English, French, Health, History, Latin, Mathematics, Music, Science, Spanish, and Theology. The school also has Advanced Placement courses in American Government, American History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science, English Language, English Literature, European History, French, Latin, Spanish, and Statistics.

Detroit Catholic Central High School is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Campus

The new campus, opened in August 2005, sits on 60 acres (240,000 m2) of wooded land in the suburban city of Novi. The land and most of the funding for construction was donated by friends and alumni of the school. It was named for alumnus Patrick M. Nesbitt. Facilities include a 350-person capacity chapel, a laboratory for each scientific discipline, 5 computer labs, art and music studios, computer connectivity in every room, a fitness center, two gymnasiums, an indoor track, 8 tennis courts, two baseball fields, and a 4,500 seat athletic stadium with Field Turf and an outdoor track. The Catholic Central Library Media Center is the school's curriculum support hub. The library contains multimedia information and over 14,000 thousand books. The collection is accessed, searched, and circulated via the automated catalog.

Extracurricular

  • The school newspaper is The Spectrum, which is a member of the High School National Ad Network.
  • There are currently four bands at Catholic Central. (see more about the bands below.)
  • The Quiz Bowl team has won multiple State Championships and three National Championships and is the reigning state champion since 2011. The DCC team is ranked 1st in the nation [1] going into the national competitions and won the 2015 PACE National Scholastic Championship.
  • Other activities: Bowling League, Chess Club, Computer Club, Drama/Improvisation Club, French Club, Intramural Sports Program, Mathematics Club, Monogram Club, Archery Club, Science Club, Student Council, Yearbook, Robotics, Science Olympiad, Shamrock Voice (a political debate club) and Spanish Club.
  • Past Activities: Catholic Central's Debate Team (listed as D.C.C.) was successful and consistently ranked in state competitions, most recently placing 2nd overall in 2007. The Debate Club is no longer active after being shut down mid-season in 2008.

Athletics

Sports (54 state titles):

  • Baseball (3 state titles: 1979, 1987, and 1999)
  • Basketball (2 state titles: 1961 and 1976)
  • Bowling (1 state title: 2010)
  • Cross country (6 state titles: 1983, 1984, 1989, 2001, 2009 and 2010)
  • Football (11 state titles: 1938, 1979, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2009)
  • Golf (2 state titles: 2003 and 2010 and 2015)
  • Ice Hockey (MHSAA: Division 1; 15 Class A State Championship Titles: 1959, 1961, 1968, 1974, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016)
  • Lacrosse
  • Skiing
  • Soccer
  • Swimming and Diving
  • Tennis (3 state titles: 1985, 1986, 2010)
  • Track and Field
  • Wrestling (11 state titles: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1978, 1983, 1988, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014)

Catholic Central's arch athletic rival is Birmingham Brother Rice High School. Catholic Central holds a 28–26–1 lead in football games played between the two schools as of 2011.[4]

Catholic Central won 6 state titles in the 2009–2010 school year. This tied the previous national record for most state championships won by a single school in a single year.

The hockey team maintains a rivalry with Trenton High School. The two teams have played every year, and will continue playing once trenton becomes a member of the MIHL. In 2010, Fox Sports and "Replay Fuled by Gatorade" chose to showcase the CC-Trenton rivalry by continuing a game from the 1998–99 season which prematurely ended after a player was seriously injured on the ice when the game was tied 4–4.[5]

The Shamrocks compete in the Central Division of the Catholic High School League and in Class A/Division I (largest schools) of the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

Band

There are five full-year bands at CC, in addition to two part-year bands. The full-year bands are Beginning Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and Orchestra, while the part-year bands are Marching band and Full Orchestra.

The bands travel every other year to perform in overseas events. In the past, they have performed in London, Hawaii, and Paris. It currently considers Rome and Sydney in addition to London, Hawaii, and Paris. The Shamrock Band was invited to and performed in the New Year's Day Parade in London, England on January 1, 2011.[citation needed]

  • Beginning Band

Beginning Band is for those first starting an instrument and is strictly designed for members to improve their playing abilities. Beginning Band does not take part in Michigan Solo and Ensemble Festival nor play at any games or events.

  • Concert Band

Concert Band is mostly for freshmen who have played their instrument for at least 6 months. Concert Band is required for all freshmen who do not audition for Symphonic Band, though it is optional for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The Concert Band performs in the Michigan High School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) festivals. Additionally, each member is required to take part in the Michigan Solo and Ensemble Festival, the Christmas and Spring Concerts, and take part in Marching Band during the football season.

  • Symphonic Band

Symphonic Band mostly consists of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Symphonic Band is optional without audition for all bandsmen who have played with the band for at least a year. The CC Symphonic Band has a record of consistently receiving perfect "I" ratings at the MSBOA festival. Each member is required to take part in the Michigan Solo and Ensemble Festival. The Symphonic Band performs at the Christmas and Spring Concerts, and takes part in Marching Band during football season.

  • Jazz Band

Jazz band is open to any student in the band program at Catholic Central. Jazz band does not perform at the MSBOA band festival, though it does take part in the Christmas and Spring Concert every year. Students wishing to join the jazz band must audition for the band director. The spaces are limited, so there are only a few students accepted. The students also perform at various school events such as alumni gatherings, the CC Family Fest, and Night On The Town (a band benefit dinner-dance).

  • Orchestra

Orchestra, a relatively new addition (created in the 2007–08 school year), is open to all string instruments. They do not take part in Marching Band. The orchestra plays at the Spring and Christmas Concert, the MSBOA band festival, and performs individually at the Michigan Solo and Ensemble festival.

  • Full Orchestra

Full Orchestra, also new to CC, consists of the Orchestra, in addition to a select few Symphonic Band musicians. They do not perform at the MSBOA band festival, though they do play at the Christmas and Spring Concert every year.

  • Marching Band

The Concert band and Symphonic band combine as a Marching Band to play at all home football games, Boys' Bowl, and Prep Bowl. Also, a smaller, pep band is sent to support the football team at away games as well as selective games in other sports.

Catholic Central has two fight songs: The "School Song", played at key points during sporting events and written by Father Ned Donoher, and the "Spirit Song", played after touchdowns at varsity football games. The spirit song's tune may be familiar to those from Texas as the Aggie War Hymn of Texas A&M University.

Familiar formations to the Marching Band are "Block Formation", in which the band is arranged in a block for marching forward normally, and "The Double 'C's", in which the band is arranged into two interlocked "C"s, a school symbol.

In addition to the Marching Band, the CC drum line performs a drum feature each year, revealed at the annual Boy's Bowl assembly.

Traditions

Boys' Bowl

Boys' Bowl, is a traditional, yearly football game which serves as the school's homecoming.

The Drive

The Drive is a fundraiser for the school and is by far the biggest event of the year. It lasts one week in February. Each student is given tickets to sell, and based on how many tickets are sold (or how much money is brought in), the administration will give days off of school. There are also prizes to be won such as a fish-finder, plasma screen TV, mini-fridge and much more. Also, each day of the Drive (which are all half days), there's another drawing. If the student's name is drawn, they're given back all of the money that they've brought in (as long as it's over a certain amount). Also, in April, before Spring break, all of the students get a tuition rebate, which means that the students get money back based on how much they brought in.

Song Lyrics

  • Mary, Alma Mater

Mary, Alma Mater, Your sons of Central honor, And trusting in your goodness, We hopefully implore, That by your grace we may every day, Prove that we are men, Of Mary, Alma Mater, Inspire us evermore.

Mary, Alma Mater, Your sons of Central honor, And proudly wear your colors, The royal Blue and White, May valiant Blue and peerless White, Teach us to be men, Of Mary, Alma Mater, Inspire us evermore.

This particular song has been sung by the graduating class of every graduate ceremony of Catholic Central for over fifty years.

  • Brotherhood Song

If we unite, our future's bright, we'll have Shamrock brotherhood. Let's all agree that unity will help us be like we should. It's a new crapsduly a brand new way, together we'll make things bright! Working together, sunny weather, shine on our Blue (Blue!), shine on our White (White!), Shine on our Blue and White!

  • Aggie War Hymn (Spirit Song)

Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck! Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck! We've got a spirit that we're glad we've got, We've got a spirit that no one can tame, Hey! We've got a spirit that the rest have not, Come on gang let's win this game! Fight, Fight, Fight! We've got a spirit that spells victory, We've got a team that hears our call! Oh, we've got the double-pull for old CC, Shamrocks, all together, Give me' a C! Give me' a C! Give me' a H for CCH!

  • School Song

We're gonna cheer for the Shamrocks! We're gonna boast of our fame! We'll tell the world we're the Shamrocks! When they ask us, "What's you name?" (fight, fight, fight) We're number one 'cause we're Shamrocks! We're gonna back up our claim! We've got the roughness, We've got the toughness, To cherish this game!

(Cheer) (C)-Say what's your name? (R)-Shamrocks! (C)-Say what's your name? (R)-Shamrocks! (C)-Gonna win this game? (R)-Yeah, man! (C)-Gonna win this game? (R)-Yeah, man! (C)-Got the team? (R)-Yeah! (C)-And the coach? (R)-Yeah! (C)-And the roughness? (R)-Yeah! (C)-And the toughness? (R)-Yeah! (C)-Say what's your name? (R)-Shamrocks! (C)-Say what's your name? (R)-Shamrocks! (C)-Gonna win this game? (R)-Yeah, man! (C)-Gonna win this game? (R)-Yeah, man! (ALL)-Gonna live and die for CC High!

(Repeat Chorus)

Notable alumni

Notes and references

  1. ^ NCA-CASI. "NCA-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement". Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "High school's new home rates 'Wow!'." The Detroit News. August 24, 2005. ID det22236488. Retrieved on October 28, 2013.
  3. ^ http://www.catholiccentral.net/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=532&srcid=183
  4. ^ http://detnews.com/article/20101007/SPORTS05/10070356/Brother-Rice-Catholic-Central-rivalry-still-going-strong
  5. ^ http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gatorade-announces-1999-detroit-catholic-central-vs-trenton-replay-game-scheduled-for-may-9-at-compuware-arena-2010-04-09
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