A Brief Look at COHS
Cardinal O'Hara High School was opened in September, 1963 with 1738 freshmen and sophomores. During the next five years, the enrollment increased and reached a peak of 3940 students in 1967. During the 2008-2009 school year there are more than 1600 students attending the school.

Rev. Paul P. Maloney was principal from 1963 - 1969. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph C. McCloskey (1969-1971), Msgr. James E. Mortimer (1971-1980), Rev. Philip J. Cribben (1980-1988), and Rev. Joseph J. McLaughlin (1988-1993). For the 1993-94 school year, the secondary schools established a new administrative structure for the school with a president and a principal. Monsignor Joseph P. McFadden, who is now Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, served as President from 1993 to 2001. Beginning in 2001, Dr. William J. McCusker, who served as Principal from 1993-2001, assumed the role of President. Rev. Michael P. O'Malley, Ed.D served as Principal from 2001-2004. He was succeeded by Mr. William J. Miles. (2004-2007 In 2007 Mr. George Stratts became our Principal.

The school has acquired a reputation for excellence. In sports, the students have won many Catholic League Championships. The O'Hara Band has played for Pope John Paul II, and in 1996, 1997, 2003 and 2006 won superior ratings at national competitions in Walt Disney World, Cleveland, Montreal and Charlottesville.
The great tradition of O'Hara Theatre continues with two productions each school year.

In November 1971, Cardinal O'Hara High School was visited and accredited by the Middle States Association. As a result of the school's self-study in preparation for the visit, and recommendations of the visiting committee, the school changed from a co-institutional school (where the female students were educated in the Springfield wing and the male students were educated in the Marple wing) into a co-educational school. As a result of the 1981 evaluation and accreditation, greater emphasis was placed on the core curriculum, and graduation requirements were increased from two years to three years in both mathematics and science.

Following a visit from the Middle States Association of College and Schools in November, 2001, O'Hara has been re accredited until 2007.The school followed the new, forward-visioning process known as Accreditation for Growth (AFG). As a result of the process, the school took ownership of four objectives in the areas of Academics, Technology, Prayer and Service, and Tolerance and Diversity.

Currently we are in the midst of the Accreditation for Growth process again, with a planned visit from the Middle States visiting team in the Spring of 2009.

Registering at Cardinal O'Hara
Early in each school year, eighth grade students attending parochial schools will begin to receive information about Cardinal O'Hara High School. Public school students, who are enrolled in parish religious education classes, can also expect to receive information about procedures for enrolling at Cardinal O'Hara. Any student, who does not attend parochial grade school or parish religious classes, but is interested in receiving information about Cardinal O'Hara High School, should call or email the Development Office (610-544-3800-ext.1830) in order to place their name on the O'Hara mailing list.

Cardinal O'Hara High School will host two Open House events as well as two Closer Look evenings during the upcoming school year. Additionally parochial school students will have an opportunity to visit Cardinal O'Hara on Archdiocesan Eighth Grade Visitation Day held each November. (NOTE: Students may visit only Catholic high schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Visitations to public schools or private schools, including private Catholic schools may not be taken on Archdiocesan Eighth Grade Visitation Day)

Public school students may visit Cardinal O'Hara on O'Hara's Non-diocesan Visitation Day also held each November.

Cardinal O'Hara High School also hosts two Closer Look Evenings each year. These meeting type settings are designed for families who have taken the time to visit O'Hara at other Open House events and who want a more in depth explanation of what is available at Cardinal O'Hara. These events are by reservation only. Those wishing to attend one of these Closer Look Evenings should call or emailthe Development Office at 610-544-3800-ext. 1830. You can view the O'Hara Calendar online here.

All eighth Graders are invited to join the O'Hara Lions PRIDE. By becoming a member of the Pride students receive the LIONS PRIDE newsletter keeping them informed about things going on at O'Hara, and they are invited to attend O'Hara sports events and school theater productions free of charge. If you wish to join the PRIDE, just call or emailthe Development Office.

Early registration for the next school year begins in early December and ends in Mid-January. Those registering during the early registration period receive a $15 discount on the registration fee. The regular registration period extends from Mid-January until Mid-March. Those registering after the regular registration period are assessed a $25 late registration fee. Please note that due to Cardinal O'Hara's excellent academic reputation and renewed activities and athletic programs, recent incoming freshman classes have filled very early.

2008-2009 Tuition Schedule

• School fee is $345.00 for seniors
• The school fee is due on June 1, prior to the school year
• Tuition may be paid in 10 equal payments beginning July 15 and ending April 15.