Cathedral High Schoolis a private Catholic all boys school in Los Angeles, California. It was founded by Archbishop John J. Cantwell as the first Los Angeles Archdiocesan high school for boys in the fall of 1925. The Christian Brothers have operated Cathedral High School since its opening. Cathedral is located on the site of Old Calvary Cemetery just northeast of the L. A. Civic Center and in view of the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. It is also close to Chinatown and Dodger Stadium.
Threatened closure
In July 1984, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles announced that the Cathedral High School property had been sold and that the school would close at the end of June 1985. An effort was made by the leaders of the school, the Christian Brothers, student, parents, alumni, and friends to ask the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to change its decision. The appeal was based on the fact that Cathedral High School was fully enrolled, that the students came from highly Catholic neighborhoods in the oldest and poorest parishes and areas of the city, that the Brothers had committed personnel and financial resources to ensure the success of the school, and that the alumni now had the potential to be a major source of support for current and future students.
In December 1984, the Archdiocese announced a moratorium and that the school would continue to operate until June of 1987. In the summer of 1985, Bishop Roger Mahony of Stockton was named Archbishop of Los Angeles. In December 1985, Archbishop Mahony announced that the sale of the Cathedral property was null and void and that Cathedral High School would continue serving the young men of Los Angeles.
Current situation
The high school's current principal is Brother John Montgomery. The president is Martin Farfan (the first president of the school who is not a Christian Brother). Construction has begun on a new gymnasium. Once this project is completed, the school will focus on improving the classrooms as well as the older buildings on campus. The new gymnasium is set to finish its construction sometime in November or early December. The school focuses on college preparatory courses. Over 3/4s of the senior class of 2005 went on to college or university. Students take 7 classes in both semesters. The school has over 600 students currently enrolled.
Extracurricular activities
Sports
Cathedral offers many successful sports programs under the direction of Athletic Director Kevin Pearson (who doubles as a horrible football coach... any dumb twit can throw the ball in the air randomly 60 times a game and hope for the best...). The school has 11 full sports programs (with a student body of only 627) that include Football, Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, Soccer, Golf, running cross country, track and field, water polo, swimming, and tennis. Intramural sports are also available.
Visual and performing arts
Matching the fine sports program is an outstanding visual and performing arts department. The theatrical productions performed by the students and directed by Joseph Walsh match many of the top college programs in the country. Girls from neighboring schools audition and act the female roles. Recent successes include such musicals as Les Miserables, Guys and Dolls, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Grease (performed at the Baldwin Park Performing Arts Center). Plays produced include Arsenic and Old Lace, Romeo and Juliet, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Enter Laughing, Big Mary and more.
The band program is under the leadership of Dr. Brian Bartel, who developed the program several years ago at Cathedral. They showcase several concerts as well as playing at home football / basketball games and rallies.
There are many clubs to join, as well as roles in student government currently directed by Brother Jesus Lara, a graduate from Cathedral.
Cathedral is enhanced by several service organizations such as Lasallian Youth which is run by Brother Ricardo Palacio and Campus Ministry who direct projects such as feeding the Homeless, retreats, and prayer services.
Special Events
On September 28th, Cathedral high school had their 2007 homecoming rally at Dodger stadium.
Trivia
Los Angeles mayor, Antonio Velaragosa,use to go to Cathedral before he was kicked out during his sophmore year for fighting with another student.
External links
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