Academics
Pursue Excellence, Achieve Your Potential
Central Catholic prepares its students for the challenges of college and life beyond 4720 Fifth Avenue by providing a quality education—a core Lasallian value.
Forming men of scholarship
The all-boys environment at Central Catholic fosters a formative space where young men can grow with purpose during a pivotal time in their development. Free to explore their interests, take intellectual risks, and lead with confidence, students develop strong habits of discipline, accountability, and mutual respect.
Guided by experienced faculty who are dedicated to the education of the whole person, students will read and write; calculate and create; form opinions, defend them, and learn to appreciate the perspectives of others, all while embodying the Lasallian motto of “Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve.”
Rigor, support & Relationships
Academic support at Central Catholic reflects our commitment to meeting the needs of every student with both excellence and care. National Honor Society members regularly provide peer tutoring that reflects the character, leadership, and generosity of our student body.
This culture of support is strengthened by extensive academic resources that include one-on-one time with teachers, structured study sessions with trained tutors, and a dedicated academic support staff focused on helping each young man grow in confidence and skill. The result is a learning environment where students are encouraged to seek help, support one another, and take ownership of their academic journey.
Steps from World-Class Universities
Central Catholic’s location in the heart of Oakland provides students with unique access to some of the nation’s leading academic institutions. Through College in High School offerings and growing partnerships with the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, and Carnegie Mellon University, students engage in advanced coursework, research experiences, and college-level learning while still in high school.
A budding collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University further expands opportunities in areas such as STEM, innovation, and design thinking. These partnerships allow Central Catholic students to experience the energy of a world-class academic environment, preparing them to transition confidently to higher education and to see themselves as scholars well before they set foot on a college campus.
Innovation and Engineering
Integrated STEM Excellence
Housed in the cutting-edge Zupancic Family STEM Center, Central Catholic’s comprehensive curriculum integrates industry-standard technology—from 3D modeling and robotics to Cisco networking—into 25 diverse courses designed for all academic levels.
This world-class facility serves as a hub for both the Engineering Institute and elite extracurriculars like the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS), robotics team, and the science bowl team, providing students the professional-grade space to apply algorithmic thinking to real-world challenges.
Academic Leadership
Central Catholic High School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
The U.S. Department of Education has designated Central Catholic an “Outstanding Secondary School.”