History and Legacy
Nearing 100 years, Cathedral High School has a rich, mission-driven history of providing Boston's youth access to unparalleled educational opportunities.
Cathedral High School is Founded
In 1926, His Eminence, Most. Rev. William Cardinal O’Connell, Archbishop of Boston, founded Cathedral High School next door to his seat at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston’s South End. The school’s founding was made possible by the generosity of the estate of a benefactor, Mary C. Keith, and its history of philanthropy-based education continues today.
In the words of the founding mission statement, Cathedral High School was created to serve the youth of the city of Boston, to “develop [them] spiritually, intellectually, and socially, and to train Catholic leaders.”
The school adopted the personal episcopal motto of its founder, Cardinal O’Connell: Vigor in Arduis — translated from Latin as “strength in the face of adversity.” It was to be an incredibly apt choice for Cathedral which has served generations of immigrants, first-generation Americans, and inner-city youth from all walks of life. The motto highlights the resolve of Cathedral scholars who persevere through academic and personal challenges to achieve great success.
From the beginning and for many decades, the school was primarily staffed by Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston (CSJ). The religious order of sisters taught and administrated the school for many decades. Today, Cathedral still enjoys strong relationships with many Sisters of Saint Joseph.
Cathedral High School is Elevated to an Archdiocesan School
The school was elevated from a parish high school to an archdiocesan central high school in 1950, in recognition that it was one of several such schools in Boston serving a population much broader than its parishioners.
Cathedral Becomes an Independent School
In 2004, Cathedral High School became an independent Catholic high school, legally incorporated under the governance of a Board of Trustees.
Brand New Gymnasium Opens
A new 13,000-square-foot gymnasium and multi-purpose space opened on the school grounds in 2006.
The added athletic facilities include a basketball court, a weight room, sports medicine and physical therapy space, and accommodations for school-wide assemblies. The construction was funded entirely by the generosity of Cathedral’s donors and benefactors.
Cathedral Expands to Serve Grades 7-12
To begin preparing students earlier for college, in 2010 Cathedral added middle school grades 7 and 8, which have since steadily expanded.
Applied Learning Center Opens
In September 2018, a brand new, 15,000-square-foot Applied Learning Center was opened in a wing of the school which once was the Cathedral Convent.
The state-of-the-art facility, the result of the $8 million “Full STEAM Ahead” campaign, enabled Cathedral to expand programs for STEAM-based learning: science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The Applied Learning Center includes a design-based learning makerspace lab, complete with a state-of-the-art Autodesk 3-D printer, space dedicated to arts and cultural activities, as well as multiple additional collaborative learning spaces. In 2023, the Daley Center for Campus Ministry was added to this dynamic space.
Approaching the school’s 100-year anniversary, Cathedral High School announced a historic campaign to secure the longevity of Cathedral’s mission for the next 100 years.
Fueled by an unprecedented $30 million matching gift by an anonymous alum, the Cathedral Now, Cathedral Forever campaign set an ambitious goal of raising $60 million.
Cathedral’s Mission Continues to Thrive!
Today, the school serves over 330 students from across 40 different communities in greater Boston—particularly Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, and Hyde Park.
Through the remarkable success of the $60 Million Cathedral Now, Cathedral Campaign, the school is poised to thrive for the next century. With dedicated faculty, an updated school facility, and a rigorous curriculum, 100% of Cathedral’s seniors have graduated high school and 100% have earned college admission for over 20 consecutive years. Cathedral continues its nearly 100-year, mission-driven history of making unparalleled educational opportunities accessible to the young people of Boston.
Cathedral to Celebrate its 100th Anniversary
Cathedral High School looks forward to celebrating its Centennial in 2026!
