FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cathedral High School Surpasses $60 Million in Funding to Ensure 100 More Years of Educating Underserved Students
Funding Milestone Thanks In Part to Historic $30M Match from Anonymous Donor
BOSTON (October 24, 2024) – Cathedral High School in Boston’s South End has successfully exceeded its campaign goal in the Adopt-A-Student Foundation’s historic $60 million Cathedral Now, Cathedral Forever campaign to secure the future of the school’s mission of closing the opportunity gap for Boston area youth. This campaign was largely made possible thanks to a $30 million matching gift by an anonymous Cathedral alumnus, who graduated from Cathedral High School in the 1950s. Including the $30 million match, the campaign has secured seven donations at the $1 million level or above. These gifts to the Adopt-A-Student Foundation will allow Cathedral High School to continue providing high-quality education at a low cost to Boston area families for generations to come.
“For nearly 100 years, Cathedral High School has provided quality education to those who otherwise would not have access – and the success of this campaign will allow students to benefit from the critical work of Cathedral High School for another 100 hundred years. A student who receives support to attend Cathedral High School today becomes the high-impact, well-rounded, values-driven adult – the civic leader, the lawmaker, the engineer – that will shape the future of our city, our country, and our world,” said Peter Lynch, Honorary Chair of the Cathedral Now, Cathedral Forever campaign.
Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley and Sister Mary Black CSJ served as Honorary Chairs of the campaign alongside Lynch.
Cathedral High School is a coeducational college preparatory school for students in grades 7 through 12. The school’s mission, since its establishment nearly 100 years ago in 1926, is to deliver a rigorous and holistic education that is available for all families, regardless of ability to pay. Cathedral’s student population is comprised of 97 percent students of color with a $44,000 average household income, about half of Boston’s median income. Many of these are single-income households. To ensure affordability for families, 100 percent of Cathedral High School students receive tuition assistance via the Cathedral “Opportunity Grant” which decreases the tuition cost by at least 50 percent and in the majority of cases, families pay significantly less. Cathedral High School does not turn down any student due to ability to pay.
“Cathedral’s mission is to provide a life-changing education to deserving young students who may not otherwise have financial access,” said Dan Carmody, President of Cathedral High School. “This requires incredible financial support and generosity from people who truly believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive. With unprecedented generosity, an alum committed a $30 million matching gift to support our mission, and he did so because it was critically important to him that Cathedral’s mission continues to impact generations of deserving scholars – scholars who need an opportunity to bring their potential to life. Thanks to this humble generosity and the generosity of so many others, we have reached our ambitious goal.”
The incredible milestone was announced at the 23rd annual Adopt-A-Student Foundation Gala on October 23, the same event where the campaign was publicly announced in 2022. The event also honored two outstanding members of the Cathedral community. The Vigor in Arduis Medal was awarded to Paul W. and Margaret Chisholm in recognition of their family’s philanthropic support and Paul’s long-term service and leadership. This includes his 11 years as CHS Board Chair and trustee of the Adopt-A-Student Foundation, the charitable foundation for the exclusive benefit of Cathedral High School, providing scholarships to students. Paul Francisco (CHS ’89) was also honored as the inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. As State Street Corporation’s Chief Diversity Officer, and through his dedication to inclusion and social justice, Francisco has made an indelible impact on the city of Boston and beyond.
Cathedral scholars have a track record of success in the classroom and beyond. Cathedral scholars have exhibited strong significant academic growth bucking both local and national trends of academic decline. This includes tripled AP enrollment over the last two years and an incredible 100 percent college acceptance rate for the past 20-plus years – unheard of for most urban schools. Members of the class of 2024 are attending universities including Boston College, Northeastern University, Emmanuel College, Stonehill College, Howard University, and American University. Athletes also thrive at the school: Cathedral’s girls’ basketball team won the 2024 MIAA State Championship – its second championship title in a row and the team’s sixth in the past nine seasons.
“My family made the decision to move to the United States from the Dominican Republic to search for better educational opportunities. At Cathedral High School, I found a spirit of support and growth that has prepared me for my future. I feel ready to go to college and pursue my aspirations of becoming a doctor. I am so thankful that future generations of students like me will be able to benefit from a Cathedral education thanks to the success of the Cathedral Now, Cathedral Forever campaign,” said student Garina Rodriguez, class of 2025.
With several Boston-area Catholic schools forced to close their doors over the past few years, the Adopt-A-Student Foundation’s Cathedral Now, Cathedral Forever campaign will secure Cathedral High School’s future for the next century.
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Cathedral High School is a Catholic, urban, and coeducational college preparatory school committed to excellence and social justice. Within an environment that encourages our scholars to reach their full potential, Cathedral students are expected to make lasting and powerful impacts in their local, national, and global communities. Our mission, since our establishment in 1926, is to deliver a rigorous and holistic education that is available for all families, regardless of ability to pay. Rooted in Gospel values that include compassion, respect, and service, we embrace the rich diversity of our community and foster a culture of inclusion, opportunity, acceptance and empowerment. More information at www.cathedralboston.org.
The Adopt-A-Student Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization established to ensure that students of all economic, educational, and faith backgrounds have access to a quality, values-based college preparatory education by providing financial assistance to Cathedral High School for its general educational mission including but not limited to scholarships, educational programs and professional development for teachers and staff. Since 1926, Cathedral High School has helped open the doors of educational opportunity to generations of Boston’s youth. Tuition covers less than 10 percent of the school’s costs, so Cathedral relies on the philanthropic community to provide financial assistance to 100 percent of students.
Contact:
Mary Zanor
Senior Vice President, Regan Communications Group
mzanor@regancomm.com
- (617) 488-2893
- (617) 356-4012
