Having worked in the Diocese of Columbus for many years, there are two questions that get asked frequently. First, why are the Catholic high schools, except for St. Charles and Cristo Rey, divided geographically? For instance, while St. Francis De Sales is less than two miles from Our Lady of Peace, families who live on the west side of I71 cannot, as a rule send their children there with some limited exceptions.

The other question is regarding single sex education in our Catholic high schools? Why is there not an equivalent all girls’ version of St. Charles?

I won’t answer either question with regards to policy or politics, but I can answer them historically. Thanks to the Catholic high school reunion held this past summer, chaired by our own Mrs. Katy Paolini, my own knowledge is bolstered by a wonderful informational program that they put together for the reunion.

First the boundaries. Once upon a time in the Diocese of Columbus, high schools were part of some of our larger parishes. Holy Family on the short west side had a high school from 1924-1961. St. Mary in German Village’s high school operated from 1914-1968. Rosary High School was part of Rosary Parish on the east side. Its years were 1924-1966. Our Lady of Victory had a high school from 1931-1963. More about Victory in a moment.

If you notice the closing years of all of these parish high schools, you will see a pattern. In the mid-fifties and early sixties, the Diocese created regional high schools, with the thought that fewer, bigger schools could operate more efficiently. The first of these area high schools was Bishop Watterson, which opened in 1954, followed by Bishop Hartley in ’57, St. Francis De Sales in ’60, Bishop Ready in ’61, and finally, Father Wehrle High School in the far south side, which was only open from 1966-1991 (It is now the Columbus Fire Department Headquarters and Training Facility).

When these schools opened, parishes were assigned to them. The pastors made up the school board of these regional schools. As noted, apart from Wehrle all these schools are still open and thriving. As the population of Franklin County has changed, where students come from to attend those schools have shifted. St. Brigid wasn’t even thought of when Watterson began. St. Paul in Westerville was a little country parish back when De Sales first opened its doors. These high schools led to the closing of the parish secondary schools.

The oldest existing Catholic High School in Columbus is St. Charles which began in 1923. Although it is very successful today, back when I was a freshman there in 1970 things weren’t always so bright. In addition to being an all-boys high school, it was also a college seminary. In the mid-sixties the high school transformed into a high school seminary. This experiment only lasted four years and the college seminary closed. My freshman class was the second year of it reopening back to a regular school. During my freshman year there were still boarder students from the secondary seminary days.

There were only 49 students in my graduating class of 1974.

St. Charles has remained open because of some strong principals, prudent financing and an alumni base who have continued to be generous to the school. However, other single-sex high schools didn’t make it. Finances and enrollment, among other factors all contributed to their demise, including four all-girls schools and one additional boys’ school.

The oldest all-girls high school was St. Mary of the Springs Academy, on the site of the present Ohio Dominican University. It operated from 1868 and closed in 1966. St. Joseph Academy was another girls school. The original building is now part of Franklin University. It opened in 1875 and closed in 1977. In 1947, Our Lady of Victory began to enroll only women into its high school, but it closed in 1963. The grade school there operated until the mid-seventies.

Sacred Heart Parish had a two-year business school for girls from 1908 to 1958. It converted to a four-year single sex school for 8 years, finally closing its doors in 1966. Finally, Thomas Aquinas High School for Boys, run by Dominican priests (who still staff St. Patrick’s downtown) existed from 1905-1965 at the present sit of Columbus State. Aquinas Hall on that campus was the high school building.

In the years since, many parish elementary schools have also shut its doors: St. Augustine, St. Leo, St. Ladislas, Corpus Christis, St. Stephen, St. Thomas, to name a few. For the Catholic schools remaining, both elementary and secondary, Ed Choice has certainly assisted making schools affordable for families and keeping doors open. This year, we had our first new Catholic School in 30 years. Ave Maria sits on the St. Peter Parish campus and is run by them as well as Joan of Arc.

What will the future hold? That is above my pay grade. I am simply thankful that we have so many Catholic schools to educate students and prepare them for this world and the next.

 Jim Sicott