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  Cardinal O'Hara High School
1701 S. Sproul Road
Springfield, PA 19064-1199

tel: (610)544-3800
fax: (610)544-1189

Get Directions to O'Hara
Mission Statement:
  Cardinal O'Hara is a regional, Catholic, coeducational high school that teaches and follows the gospel values of Jesus. Our purpose is to develop mature men and women and to prepare them to meet with confidence and faith the challenges of the academic, social, and technological world. Building on a history of pride, excellence, and tradition, our students are challenged by strong academic regimen and a diverse extracurricular program that foster individual talents and nurture respect for oneself and others through a spirit of service and compassion.
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A Brief Look at COHS
Cardinal O'Hara High School was opened in September, 1963 with an enrollment of 1,738 freshmen and sophomores. During the next five years, the enrollment increased and reached a peak of 3,940 students in 1967. During the 2006-2007 school year there are more than 1,900 students attending the school.

Father Paul P. Maloney was principal from 1963 until 1969. He was succeeded in turn by Father Joseph C. McCloskey (1969-1971), Monsignor James E. Mortimer (1971 -1980), Father Philip J. Cribben (1980-1988), and Father 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 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 with Fr. Michael O'Malley Ed.D serving as Principal. In 2004, Mr. William J.Miles 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 and 1997 won superior ratings at national competitions in Walt Disney World and Cleveland. The great tradition of O'Hara Theatre continues today 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 made by 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.

During the 1988-1989 school year the United States Department of Education presented O'Hara with a Certificate of Merit for our selection as a finalist in the Secondary School Recognition Program. That year's O'Hara team in the National Bicentennial of the Constitution Competition finished first in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the second time. The Social Studies Department's entry in the 1990 History Exam finished first in the Commonwealth and fifth in the nation.

Following a visit from the Middle States Association of College and Schools in November, 2001, O'Hara has been reaccredited 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 Integration, Prayer and Service, and Tolerance and Diversity.

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.

2007-2008 Tuition Schedule
Monthly PaymentsRegistered In A Parish3 In FamilyVo-Tech Including Parish
School Fee$260.00 $270.00$260.00$260.00
July - April$462..00 $308.00$323.40$560.00
Tuition$4620.00 $3080.00$3234.00$5600.00
Total$4880.00 $3340.00$3494.00$5860.00
  • 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.
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