Five Catholic High Schools in Diocese named to 50 best in the US on the Annual Catholic High School Honor Roll

PITTSBURGH – Five Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh were recognized recently as being among the 50 best Catholic secondary schools in America by their selection to the Catholic High School Honor Roll.

Honored were Quigley Catholic High School, Baden, Oakland Catholic High School, Pittsburgh, St. Joseph High School in Natrona Heights, Aquinas Academy in Gibsonia and Serra Catholic High School, McKeesport.

“This honor is a confirmation of the quality academic program that students receive in all our high schools and to have five receive this national recognition is an extraordinary testament,” said Dr. Robert Paserba, diocesan secretary for education.

“We are particularly gratified knowing that the Honor Roll places strong emphasis on the Catholic identity of the schools,” Dr. Paserba said.

The honor roll is an independent project of the Cardinal Newman Society which assumed responsibility for the Honor Roll this year from the Acton Institute which launched the program in 2004.

“It is a great honor that five of our Catholic high schools have been named to the 2012-2013 Catholic High School Honor Roll,” Bishop David Zubik said. “These schools – all our schools – provide students an outstanding educational program in an environment of faith.

“Being recognized nationally is a well-deserved honor and I congratulate all who have contributed to this success, especially the administrators, faculty, staff and students,” Bishop Zubik said.

“This is also an occasion of great satisfaction for the parents and benefactors of these schools as they work so hard together with the Diocese of Pittsburgh to sustain all of the efforts that make these schools successful programs,” Dr. Paserba said.

            According to Dr. Patrick J. Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society, Catholic schools from across the nation are judged according to strong academics, an atmosphere conducive to an understanding of the Catholic faith and its principles, and responsible citizenship.

            Founded in 1996, Aquinas Academy is a private Catholic school with an enrollment of 333 students from preschool through high school. It is located in Gibsonia with a lay faculty of 40. 

The oldest Catholic high school in the Diocese, Saint Joseph High School in Natrona Heights was founded in 1915 and is a Catholic parish high school. The school has an enrollment of  211 students and a faculty of 23 . The school has been on the Honor Roll every year since 2002.

Oakland Catholic High School is an all-female academy with an enrollment of 578 students and a faculty of 52. The school is located across from Saint Paul Cathedral.    

Co-educational, Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport was founded in 1961 has an average class size of 20 with an enrollment of 320 and a faculty of 23. Serra attracts students from 22 public school districts.

Quigley Catholic High School in Baden opened in 1967 as the first regional Catholic high school in Beaver County. Ninety nine percent of Quigley Catholic graduates enroll in higher education. It has an enrollment of 155 and a faculty of 18.

“The success of these Catholic high schools – all our Catholic high schools – is a reflection of the support of the entire Church of Pittsburgh. The recognition they receive is recognition of the commitment of Bishop Zubik, the diocesan pastoral staff and the clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese of Pittsburgh,” Dr. Paserba said.