North Cambridge Catholic High School

Our Mission

North Cambridge Catholic High School is a co-educational school, offering students of multicultural backgrounds and limited economic means a rigorous college preparatory program in a safe, nurturing environment.

Through a comprehensive curriculum, the Corporate Work Study Program, and a close partnership with families, North Cambridge Catholic prepares its graduates to become exceptional business and community leaders.

The school embraces the cultural, ethnic and religious diversity of the student body, enabling each student to develop a unique sense of personal responsibility, global awareness, and spiritual growth.

Past, Present and Future

North Cambridge Catholic High School began as a parish secondary school in 1921, serving the sons and daughters of Irish, Italian, and French Canadian immigrants. Eighty-four years later it continues a tradition of offering a challenging college preparatory education to young people of limited economic means in a safe, nurturing environment.

A lot has changed since the Dominican sisters taught the late U.S. House Speaker Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill, Jr. at what was then known as St. John's High School. More lay teachers than nuns stand at the front of classrooms, more Haitian than Irish faces look back from the neat rows of student desks, but the commitment to providing educational opportunity to those most in need remains very much the same.

Every weekday morning, a multicultural parade passes through the front doors of the red brick schoolhouse tucked among multi-family homes on a quiet residential street. The 265 students enrolled at North Cambridge Catholic represent the changing face of Greater Boston at the start of a new millennium. They are Hispanic, African-American, Haitian, Caucasian, and Multi-racial. They are recent immigrants and long time residents. They live close enough to walk to school and far enough away to require a bus and subway ride at sunrise. They are Catholic and non-Catholic alike.

The young men and women in crisp shirts and navy cardigan sweaters make the long daily trek from Dorchester and Chelsea, from Roxbury and East Boston for the chance to tackle a rigorous curriculum with a caring faculty committed to their academic success and invested in their moral and spiritual development.

At a time when financial strain is forcing many Catholic schools in inner cities to close their doors, North Cambridge Catholic is being re-energized by an infusion of fresh capital and creative ideas that will ensure its long-term existence. An Archdiocesan Central High School since 1957, North Cambridge Catholic in 2004 became financially independent by launching an innovative work study program that has lowered dropout rates and boosted employment opportunities and college admissions for students in urban communities across the country.

With grants from the Cassin Educational Initiative Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among others, North Cambridge Catholic became a Cristo Rey Network school in September 2004, providing students with a proven mix of traditional classes and work experience. Every student works five days a month at an entry-level, clerical job provided by local businesses. The $20,000 cost to each employer for a Corporate Work Study Team of four students is paid to the school to offset tuition expenses.

The Cristo Rey model, begun in 1994 in Chicago, has been replicated with great success in Los Angeles, California; Portland, Oregon; Austin, Texas; Cleveland, Ohio; Lawrence, Massachusetts; New York City, New York; Tucson, Arizona; Waukegan, Illinois and Denver, Colorado. Its implementation at North Cambridge Catholic High School has extended to the sons and daughters of Greater Boston's newest immigrants the helping hand first offered by this school to the children of Irish, Italian, and French Canadian laborers almost a century ago.

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The Significance of Catholic Education

Forty-two Catholic high schools have closed in the Archdiocese of Boston since 1970. Most of these schools were in inner city neighborhoods. According to the National Catholic Education Association, the Boston Archdiocese is not alone with this experience.

The number of urban Catholic high schools has decreased from a high of more than 4,000 schools nationwide in 1970 to less than 600 today. These generally small schools, which provided students with significant personal attention from administrators and teachers, educated some of the nation's most prominent leaders and eased the burden on public schools. Moreover, private schools, particularly those that serve economically disadvantaged students, save taxpayers billions of dollars each year. By adding the work study program at North Cambridge Catholic High School, we take significant steps to reverse the trend of school closings and are able to bring the gift of Catholic education to hundreds of high school aged young people.

The positive impact of Catholic secondary education on urban young people is significant. According to the Boston Office of Catholic Schools, 90% of Catholic high school graduates in the Archdiocese will attend college. The National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) reports that 83% of Catholic high school graduates nationwide go to college, and that minority students who graduate from Catholic high schools are three times more likely to earn a college degree (25% to 8.5%) than African-American and Hispanic-American graduates of public high schools.

Furthermore, the NCEA reports that Catholic high school students are less likely to drop out of school than their public school counterparts and perform better in government-sponsored tests. Catholic high school students score 3.6% higher in math, 7.9% higher in reading proficiency, and 3.76% higher in science than do their public school peers.

The positive impact of Catholic high schools on minority and low-income students is one of the Church's greatest contributions to modern urban America. A charitable investment in North Cambridge Catholic High School serving urban young people, therefore, is an investment in a high quality education that has a long track record of success with at-risk young people.

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School Demographics

Student Population (2005-2006): 265
Male: 40%
Female: 60%

Ethnicity:
Hispanic: 39%
African American: 23%
Haitian: 15%
Caucasian: 11%
Multi-racial: 12%

Language:
More than 40% of students speak English as their second language

Religion:
Catholic: 67%<
Non-Catholic: 33%

Median Family Income:
$31,233

Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid:
75%

Average Tuition Subsidy Per Student:
$931

Non-Discrimination Policy

North Cambridge Catholic High School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or ethnic origin in its student admission process, faculty and staff hiring practices, educational policies, scholarships, athletics or other school administered programs.

Communities where students live:

Allston
Arlington
Boston
Brighton
Brockton
Cambridge
Chelsea
Chestnut Hill
Dorchester
East Boston
Everett
Hyde Park
Jamaica Plain
Lawrence
Lynn<
Malden
Mattapan
Medford
Newton
Quincy
Randolph Revere
Roslindale
Roxbury
Somerville
West Roxbury

NOTE:

The information on this page is archived content from the original website. North Cambridge Catholic High School is presently closed.

 

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More Background on North Cambridge Catholic High School

North Cambridge Catholic High School (NCCHS) was a cornerstone of education in Cambridge, Massachusetts, serving as a vital institution for nearly a century. Founded in 1921, the school originally operated under the name St. John’s High School, a parish school that aimed to provide a Catholic education to the children of Irish, Italian, and French Canadian immigrants. Over time, the school evolved and became known as North Cambridge Catholic High School, continuing its mission to offer quality education to students from diverse and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Historical Context and Mission

The history of NCCHS is deeply intertwined with the broader trends in Catholic education in the United States, particularly in urban areas. Like many Catholic schools, NCCHS was established to serve immigrant communities and to provide an alternative to public schooling. By the mid-20th century, NCCHS had established itself as a significant educational institution in Cambridge, known for its rigorous academic programs and commitment to serving low-income families.

In 1957, the school became an Archdiocesan Central High School, marking a new era of growth and development. Despite the challenges that many inner-city Catholic schools faced during this time, including declining enrollments and financial difficulties, NCCHS managed to sustain itself through innovative programs and a strong commitment to its mission.

The Cristo Rey Model and Corporate Work Study Program

One of the most significant developments in the school’s history occurred in 2004 when NCCHS joined the Cristo Rey Network. The Cristo Rey model, which originated in Chicago in 1996, combines rigorous academics with a unique Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP). This program requires students to work in entry-level positions at local businesses for five days each month, earning funds that go directly toward their tuition costs. This model not only helps make education more affordable but also provides students with valuable work experience and professional skills that are essential for their future success.

The adoption of the Cristo Rey model at NCCHS was a pivotal moment, allowing the school to continue its mission in a sustainable way while also expanding opportunities for its students. This model has been replicated in several other cities across the United States, demonstrating its effectiveness in supporting students from low-income families.

Relocation and Renaming to Cristo Rey Boston High School

In 2010, NCCHS underwent a significant transition. Due to the growing student population and the limitations of the Cambridge campus, the school relocated to Dorchester, Massachusetts. The move was not just a change in location but also a rebranding of the school. It was renamed Cristo Rey Boston High School, reflecting its affiliation with the Cristo Rey Network and its continued commitment to providing a rigorous Catholic education to students from underprivileged backgrounds.

The relocation was seen as a positive development for the school, as it provided a larger and more modern facility that could better accommodate the needs of the students. The move also allowed the school to strengthen its ties with the local community in Dorchester, continuing its tradition of serving immigrant and working-class families.

Academic and Cultural Impact

NCCHS, and later Cristo Rey Boston High School, has been recognized for its strong academic programs and its ability to prepare students for college and beyond. The school’s emphasis on both academic excellence and practical work experience has made it a unique institution within the landscape of Catholic education. According to reports, a significant percentage of the school’s graduates are accepted into college, a testament to the effectiveness of the Cristo Rey model in promoting educational achievement among students who might otherwise face significant barriers to higher education.

Culturally, the school has played an essential role in the lives of many families in the Greater Boston area. It has been a beacon of hope for students who seek to break the cycle of poverty through education. The school’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice aligns with the broader mission of the Catholic Church to serve the marginalized and the vulnerable.

Community Engagement and Legacy

Throughout its history, NCCHS has maintained strong connections with the local community. Whether in Cambridge or Dorchester, the school has been more than just an educational institution; it has been a community hub where families, educators, and students come together to support one another. The school’s alumni network is a testament to its lasting impact, with many graduates going on to become leaders in their communities and beyond.

The legacy of NCCHS is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to its mission. Even after its relocation and renaming, the school continues to embody the values that have defined it for nearly a century. The success of Cristo Rey Boston High School today can be traced back to the foundational principles established by NCCHS and its dedication to providing a high-quality education to those most in need.

 

North Cambridge Catholic High School, through its transformation into Cristo Rey Boston High School, remains a vital institution in the landscape of Catholic education in Boston. Its innovative approach to combining academics with work experience, its commitment to serving diverse and economically disadvantaged communities, and its ability to adapt to changing circumstances have ensured its continued relevance and success. As the school looks to the future, it carries forward a rich legacy that will continue to inspire and empower generations of students.