Central Catholic High School

300 Hampshire Street

Lawrence, MA 01841

11 Reviews

School District
Grade

9-12
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 12, 2024

As my daughter now graduates college (in 2 months) she's about to finish up a challenging Honors Program in a tough field of study. I will say that the framework she got for trying hard was in no small part due to the HS education received at Central Catholic. While I was not a fan of all the teachers (is anyone ever), I will say there were certainly some phenomenal teachers there that really inspired, taught her to use her brain to think things through. I liked that when she filled me in on classroom debates that not everyone agreed on topics, but discussions in class were open and showed diverse range of opinions. It was possible to have strongly opposing opinions and debate - which I think is key. She was also taught by one teacher to question authority (not encouraged to have a standoff) but to have a trust but verify mentality because even someone in authority can be wrong on a topic. What teacher will ever take the time to get that point across? Well at CC you hopefully will encounter that teacher. Makes me think of the famous speech given by a Professor to graduating class of doctors back in the 1800's and occasionally plagiarized since then "One Half of What I Have Told You May Be Proved Untrue. Unfortunately, I Cannot Tell You Which Half." Not a fan of the school uniforms - I originally embraced the concept but not too far in I concluded I would have preferred school dress code enforced but not with a mandatory uniform. Some girls wore khakis that were extremely tight, so how is that any different than wearing tight jeans. Let the kids learn to dress presentably in public, enforce a dress code minus uniforms.Discipline is tough if you regard no tolerance for fighting in the halls or on school property, or filming a fight and broadcasting it across social media as tough. The result of that is that while it doesn't prevent all bad situations, it ensures it is not the norm.As a covid graduate Mom, I can also attest that the school did what they could to keep teaching under challenging circumstances to minimize gaps in academic advancement, and they were well ahead of most schools. As for graduation, the teachers and staff did everything possible to make the experience of graduation as memorable as possible, despite the absence of the typical graduation fanfare. We were very touched by the emotion and support of the staff at CC and surprised as well by the neighbors, police/fire in turning out to make some noise.
Submitted by student on March 25, 2024

Where do I even begin? As a senior i’ve watched dozens and dozens of kids from my class leave throughout the years for better opportunities at better schools. Some teachers try their best to work under the rather draconian rules issued by the principal Doreen Keller, and the rest rather stay on their power trip to no avail. The said principal watches school lunch everyday and patrols it like a prison cafeteria with the two deans of discipline (which is new as of the past year or so.) I particularly have an issue with her staring at us the entirety of lunch from the front of the room, with a singular apple in hand most days. Mind you, we’d be lucky to have any sort of fruit/healthy option, which you can barely count on. Meanwhile she either has no idea, or no care in the world that children across all grades get food poisoning and constant stomachaches from their disgusting and deteriorating lunch program. The military school style discipline surely is not what my parents expected when they placed me here for education- and it’s only gotten worse over the years. There are no PTA meetings or communication with any parents about what kind of “new discipline” is imposed on their kids and other punishment tactics that go unspoken. The guidance and mental health department is absolutely neglected as well. I’ve heard many stories of counselors straight up telling kids they aren’t payed to help with any advice about home or mental health- they’re just talking heads filling a role, as are many adults there. Oh and good luck if you have any sort of learning issue or neurodivergence- you will surely go unnoticed and un helped. If your considering coming here yourself, the big show they put on at acceptance nights is a trap. This place isn’t red and blue confetti filled community support- it’s the worst schooling experience i’ve ever had the misfortune of withstanding. They in fact pride themselves on being “different”, except different to them means keeping up with outrageous, offensive, and outdated policies, ideology, and punishments. Give your money to a more high value and reputable private school- don’t ever send your kids here.
Submitted by student on May 10, 2023

The students are not listened to. There have been multiple complaints over the years for the same teachers because of their teaching and unfair grading of tests and unfair treatment yet nothing has been fixed or addressed. The students are for the most part miserable to be here.
Submitted by other on June 21, 2019

I had a great experience at Central Catholic and am an active part of the alumni community. Made lifelong friends and had strong mentors. Prepared me very well for college.
Submitted by other on April 04, 2018

It was tolerable. I survived. I wouldn't say I thrived, or excelled, or enjoyed it. No, not all.
Submitted by other on July 08, 2016

Central Catholic molded me into the man I am today. My 4 years at CCHS were some of the best years of my life. I met lifelong friends, who, coincidentally, just saw over the 4th. Not only did it teach me to be a better person, it taught me to be put others before myself. I felt so blessed to be part of such a strong community that stands by one another during good times and bad.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2015

CCHS is not what it advertises to its prospective parents/students. My kids where attracted to the school based upon its sense of community and activities. I was attracted to CCHS based upon academic structure and an opportunity for personal development. As far as activities, if your not an athlete in the paper or the child of an alumni-athlete you don't exist. The politics of the athletic department are legendary and the current AD doesn't like parents and treats them like enemies instead of customers.As far as community, see activities above. That's what drives it.As far as academics, CCHS now offers a lot of AP levels courses. However, most of the AP teachers are young/brand new teachers that are learning the materials at the same time as your kid. The VHS classes are fine for a self learner but there is zero support at CCHS for the student.As far as personal development, CCHS is a do as I say not as I do environment. My kids graduated with a very jaded attitude toward the bulk of the teachers/administrators. They have never gone back and never will. As far as college acceptance, the CCHS guidance department is useless. There is no help with the application process. The guidance department actually made it harder and more confusing to complete the apps. My child currently studying at an Ivy spent less than an hour with her guidance counselor across 4 years. She had no help with her apps. She had to do everything herself.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2014

Unless you have money to throw away, good luck. The teachers don't care, refuse to help students and the business office conveniently leaves out important information until after they have your money. Don't expect any support from anybody and NOTHING is included in the ridiculously high tuition. I'd love to know what $12,000 pays, because all we got was bent over!
Submitted by student on August 16, 2014

This school is great and the athletic programs are top-notch here, especially the basketball program
Submitted by student on May 05, 2014

I graduated from Central Catholic in 2013. Looking back at it, Central gave me the best experience of high school. Not only am I over prepared for college, but I am doing extremely well at an intense University. The work load at Central was demanding, but it prepared me extremely well. Playing sports in high school is always a great way to make friends and the coaches do a great job turning new comers into varsity athletes. Finally, the student and teacher relationships are great. I love going back to see teachers.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2012

I currently have one child at CCHS and one that has graduated from CCHS and is currently doing very well in the pre-med program at Holy Cross. My experience with this school has been a contradiction of feelings. Academically, it has been the best choice we have made based on my eldest child's success and my second child's learning experience. Both have the utmost respect for the teachers and academics. However, if you are looking to augment your child's academic experience with soccer, make your decision carefully! In my opionion, the boys' soccer program is ALLOWED to be dysfunctional at the upper levels of the sport. The program, especially at the Varsity level, has damaged both of my children's High School experiences. My eldest played at the Varsity level, and his overall experience did nothing, but hurt his confidence and dampen his love of the game. In my opinion, the coaching lacked maturity, guidance, & an ability to inspire;instead sophomoric decision-making and strategy, as well as poor chemisty-building is employed and allowed. Unfortunately, it is my opinion that politics and a vendetta kept my second child from advancing. He now enjoys soccer outside of CCHS!