The creation and evolution of Central Catholic High School unfolds a history that is hard to parallel. The roots of today's Central Catholic originate in the middle of the 19th century.

The Most Reverend Richard Whelan, first Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling, established the Classical and Mercantile College in 1865. In that same year, the last year of the Civil War, the Sisters of Saint Joseph, who had arrived from St Louis In 1853, opened Saint Joseph Academy for young women. Thus begins the glorious history of CCHS and the Academy.

Shortly after the installation of the Rt. Reverend Patrick J. Donahue as Bishop of Wheeling in 1894, the Xavierian Brothers were invited to assume direction of the Cathedral Boys' School.The wooden building on the corner of Fourteenth and Byron Streets was razed, and a new brick building was erected. The Cathedral Girls' Parochial School merged with Saint Joseph Academy and a new building was opened in 1890. Both academic and commercial classes were offered.

The Cathedral Boys' School was reorganized into a central high school in 1923, and was renamed Central Catholic High School a year later. In 1933 the Marist Brothers succeeded the Xavierian Brothers in staffing the school.The Marist Brotherscontinued to staff the school until 1972.

When the Sisters of Saint Joseph celebrated their centenary in Wheeling in 1953, Archbishop John Swint marked the occasion by announcing a diocesan drive for a new motherhouse for the Sisters. Upon completion of the motherhouse on Pogue Run Road, plans were implemented to raze the existing convent and Saint Joseph Academy to make way for a new Catholic high school.In 1958 a new gymnasium was erected on the corner of Thirteenth and Jacob Streets.For two years the gymnasium was used to house classrooms, while the present high school was being constructed at Fourteenth and Eoff Streets, the site of the former Saint Joseph Academy.In 1960 the current Central Catholic High School was completed.

Although CCHS boys and SJA girls had a new building, the dedication in March 1961 was that of a co-institutional establishment.With Sisters of Saint Joseph as staff, the girls' classrooms and facilities occupied the north wing.The boys, under the guidance and direction of the Marist Brothers, occupied the east wing.Library and cafeteria services were shared.Beginning in 1970, however, girls and boys shared the same classrooms as Central became coeducational. While the Sisters of Saint Joseph continue to teach at CCHS and to be a vital part of the Central family, the administration of the school and the faculty have been predominantly lay men and women.

With an addition to the gymnasium for women students and substantial capital improvements to both the school and the gym, CCHS continues to use its structurally sound facilities to the maximum.For nearly two decades computerization has been changing the scope of education. CCHS today stands at the forefront with its technological, multimedia, and computer capabilities. More than a dozen courses are computer-based or computer-assisted.The yearbook is produced almost entirely on computer. A 56 KB high speed data transmission line enables CCHS students to utilize the school's 40 computers to access the Internet simultaneously.

Today's Central Catholic students take a full schedule of classes. Whereas the State of West Virginia requires 21 credits for graduation, the typical CCHS student is graduated with 28 credits.CCHS seniors matriculate in West Virginia Northern Community College classes.Seniors take college courses in calculus I and II, physics I and II, psychology, biology I and II, and sociology. Almost all graduates (98%) over the past three years have continued their education immediately after high school.During that same time period, one-third of each graduating class entered college with full or partial scholarships.Central sees itself as a vital part in the educational continuum; taking well-prepared students from initial and middle education, and preparing them thoroughly for post-secondary schooling.

The primary emphasis, however, of a Central Catholic education continues to be the education of “Christ-focused persons for others” who will take their rightful places in society, and work for the steady improvement of the human condition.It seems impossible to the Central Catholic community for a youngster to grow properly without tending to the spiritual dimension within every human being. The glory of every Catholic school is its refreshing spirit of freedom for “God talk” and “God living,” something that is unconstitutional in other school systems.Young persons, like many adults, ponder the questions of God's existence and providence. These are among the most basic questions in their lives. It is essential for young men and women to be surrounded by a prayerful, spiritual and humble environment, one that encourages growth in faith, the holy celebration of that faith in the Eucharist, and the expression of that faith in service to others.

CCHS students take advantage of numerous spiritual opportunities:prayer at the beginning and end of the day, as well as prayer before each class; regular celebration of Mass in the newly renovated Saint Joseph Cathedral; annual retreats for all students provided by the National Evangelization Team, TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) retreats for seniors and juniors,regular opportunities for the Sacrament of Penance administered by local priests, Stations of the Cross during Lent, and theopportunity for daily service to the needy and elderly in Wheeling by students in GUTS (Guys and Girls United to Serve), Key Club, and Interact.

Central Catholic has dedicated itself to providing an outstanding Catholic education in a friendly and Christlike environment at an affordable price.Thank you for supporting your school.Your generosity helps to determine the quality of the education and services Central Catholic High School provides to young women and men. By giving to your Alma Mater, you continue the tradition of excellence you helped to create. First and foremost, you help to pass to the next generation the message and way of life of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

You also pass to the next era the solid academic tradition of which you are rightfully proud. You offer the tools of education to today's students. These may include computers and CD-ROMS, but they are, nonetheless, tools.