Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School was opened in 1998 in Southwest Ranches, Florida, United States. Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami, it is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Named after the second Archbishop of Miami, Edward A. McCarthy, the school's mascot is the Maverick. The founding principal of the school was Dr. Richard Perhla. Students wear a uniform consisting of a solid white or light blue shirt, AMHS khaki slacks, a black leather belt, black shoes, and a student ID with AMHS lanyard. As of the 2019-2020 school year, there are 1,700 students enrolled in grades nine through twelve. Since 2005 AMHS has been named one of the Top 50 Catholic Schools in the nation by the Catholic High School Honor Roll and is a part of the Catholic Education Honor Roll for 2018-2023. Archbishop McCarthy is an Apple Distinguished School. AMHS has received Innovations in Catholic Education from Today’s Catholic Teacher.
Campus
Archbishop McCarthy High School is a Catholic college preparatory institution in the South Florida area. The campus consists of a main two-story building, a football field with a surrounding track, one baseball diamond, one softball diamond, a Student Center with its own "Maverick Grill" and a Performing Arts Center. The school has an air conditioned gymnasium, indoor weight room, five "learning modules", an outdoor courtyard, a chapel, and a parking area.
With the start of the 2011-2012 school year, Archbishop McCarthy High School implemented a student one-to-one iPad school, making it the first in South Florida. This system allows students as well teachers to enhance the classroom environment and make learning state-of-the-art. Most iPads have textbooks and allow the students many opportunities to access their textbooks, take notes, and complete their assignments. This program is one of the most renowned accomplishments by AMHS as a college preparatory and top Catholic high school.
Academics
The school is a college preparatory institution. Archbishop McCarthy has been awarded National Catholic high school honor roll every year since 2005. The school has a dual enrollment program through St. Thomas University in addition to an Advanced Placement Program. AMHS draws students from Broward, Dade and Palm Beach counties. In the 2016-2017 school year, Archbishop McCarthy offers the following Advanced Placement Courses: AP Studio Art: Drawing AP Biology AP Calculus I AB AP Calculus II BC AP Chemistry AP Computer Science AP English Language and Composition AP English Literature and Composition AP Environmental Science AP French Language AP Human Geography AP Macroeconomics AP Physics 1 AP Physics 2 AP Spanish Language AP Spanish Literature AP Statistics AP United States Government and Politics AP United States History AP World History In 2017, the school had 7 National Merit finalists. The school has a nearly perfect college acceptance rate, including students currently attending schools such as Yale University, Columbia University, and Duke University.
As part of the spiritual life of students at Archbishop McCarthy, optional retreats open to all students are offered for each grade level. These retreats help students develop a relationship with Christ beyond that which the classroom studies offer. These retreats are led by the Theology department and Peer Ministry Club and are as follows: Pietá for Freshman, Antioch for sophomores, Transfiguration for juniors, and Pentecost for seniors. The freshman retreat is held on campus on two Saturdays at the beginning of the school year, while sophomore, junior, and senior retreats usually last about three days off campus and can occur up to three times throughout the school year.
Sister school
Archbishop Edward McCarthy High School is the sister school of Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll High School. Both schools have identical original building blueprints and similar school colors. Both schools were established in 1998.
Notable alumni
Apart from the athletes previously mentioned, notable alumni include:
