Everything Under The Sun: Catholic School Week At The Catholic High School of Baltimore

Friday, February 10, 2017

Catholic School Week At The Catholic High School of Baltimore

The Catholic High School of Baltimore.

Back in 1938, a property known as the Raming Estate became the site of a new Catholic high school. By 1939 the school was completed and was ready for its first class of students, comprised of 254 freshmen, to begin on Sept. 6, 1939. The school's name was/is THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE, taught by the Sisters of St. Francis of Glen Riddle, PA.

Located on the east side of Baltimore, The Catholic High School has 300 female students in grades 9 to 12, coming from the city and several counties surrounding the Baltimore area. Although this high school is still under the Catholic archdiocese, it accepts students of all different religious denominations.

All of the area Catholic schools are commemorating Catholic School Week this week, and The Catholic High School is no exception. In fact this high school highlighted its differences and trailblazing efforts to showcase its uniqueness. Back in 2008, the school became the first all-female Catholic high school with a STEM program. But since then, it has added three specialized programs - Biomedical, Visual Performing Arts, and the Archangel program. In addition, the students can also take advanced placement courses and earn college credits before even setting a toe on a college campus.

Students learn to think globally through the Global Initiative, which provides critical thinking skills and points students toward discovering solutions to real issues around the world. Then, also, is the Green Club, which helps students think environmentally and maintain the school's status as a Green School. Then, also, is the added value of spirituality, based on the traditions of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. Even more, the spiritual values help students develop into future leaders.

Of course, students participated in a special liturgy at Mass and then allowed time for reflection on the Franciscan Five values, on which the school's identity is based. Students reflected on three different questions within classroom settings. In condensed version, 1. What gifts were you given and how do you use them to help others? 2. What are things to avoid in this current world? What can you do that is "good and pleasing and perfect"? How do you spread the word of God? 3. Bonus: What is the name of the crucifix that is all around the school?

Some of the honorees at the school's award ceremony.

This week is wrapping up with an honors assembly. That awards program honors students who have achieved silver and gold honors in the past quarter. Presentations are made in front of friends, family, and the student body. In addition, students of the month during the quarter were also honored.