Allentown Central Catholic High School


Allentown Central Catholic High School is a private, parochial school located at 301 North Fourth Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, ACCHS predominantly serves students from the Lehigh Valley region of the state.
ACCHS employs about 50 teaching staff, making up 10 departments, as well as a library and guidance department. Students have options to take electives in Informational Technology, Visual Arts and Performing Arts. As of 2008, the school's total enrollment is 910 students, with a nearly equal number of female and male students.

History

The school was founded as Masson Memorial School in 1926 by the Right Reverend Leo Gregory Fink, then rector of Sacred Heart Parish. The cornerstone of the new school's first new building was laid on March 21st, 1927. This building, now known as Masson Hall, was placed across 4th Street from , on the corner of 4th and Chew Streets.
As the school grew, new buildings were added: those still in use by the school are Rockne Hall in 1940, between Masson Hall and on 4th Street, named after Knute Rockne; and Commodore Barry Hall in 1964, behind Masson Hall on Chew Street, named after 18th century US naval hero Commodore John Barry. Other buildings, including parts of the Sacred Heart School building, were used by the school during the second half of the 20th century.

Academics

The school is a multiple Blue Ribbon Award winning school of excellence. Additionally, the Class of 2006 earned $14.5 Million in scholarships and had 3 National Merit Semifinalists, 7 Commended Scholars, 3 National Finalists, 1 Minority Recognition Award Winner and One National Scholarship Winner. The Class of 2005 had 5 Commended National Merit Scholars, 4 semi-finalists, 4 Finalists, and 1 Scholar.

Athletics

The school competes athletically in the highly competitive Eastern Pennsylvania Conference in District XI of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. From 2002 to 2014 the school competed in the Lehigh Valley Conference. It holds the fourth most Lehigh Valley Conference championships in all sports, behind Parkland High School, Emmaus High School and Easton Area High School. CCHS also holds the record for the most Lehigh Valley Conference championships in girls basketball, girls cross country and girls volleyball.
CCHS plays its home football and some of its soccer games at J. Birney Crum Stadium, a 15,000 capacity stadium on Linden Street between 20th and 22nd streets. The school plays the majority of its indoor sporting events, including basketball and wrestling, in Rockne Hall, the school's historic indoor sporting facility.
The CCHS football team has won three PIAA state championships, in 1993, 1998, and 2010.
The CCHS girls basketball team has won seven PIAA state championships, in 1973, 1978, 1987, and four in a row from 2001 through 2004. The boys basketball team has won two PIAA state championships, in 1984 and 1986.
In 2001-2002, both the girls volleyball and girls cross country running teams were State Champions. Additionally, in 2007, 2008, and 2016 the girls volleyball team won the AAA state championship.

Notable alumni