Central Catholic High School - Portland

What Central Catholic High School - Portland does

Central Catholic High School is a private Catholic college-preparatory high school located at 2401 SE Stark Street in Portland, Oregon, founded in 1939 by Archbishop Edward D. Howard and operated under the governance of the Archdiocese of Portland. The institution serves approximately 864 students annually, drawing from 112 different feeder schools across the Portland metro area and southwest Washington. The school's student body is 35% culturally diverse, with 50% identifying as Catholic and approximately 64% receiving some form of financial aid or scholarship support. Average tuition for 2026-2027 is $20,009, with the actual per-student education cost stated at $24,509; an optional full-cost payment tier ($24,509) carries a $4,500 tax-deductible donation credit. The school has been co-educational since 1980.

Academically, Central Catholic operates across nine departments (English, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Technology/Business, Theology, Wellness/PE, and World Languages), offering 27 AP and Honors courses plus dual credit through Portland Community College that generated over 2,000 credit hours and more than $1 million in tuition savings annually. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1 with average class sizes of 21. Beyond academics, the school fields 57 athletic teams with 45 state championships and supports 60+ clubs and organizations. Faith formation is woven throughout the curriculum through Campus Ministry, a Christian Service requirement of 20,000+ service hours annually, and seven faith-based retreats per year, supported by the Corrado Family Library (13,000 items, 70 seats) and partnerships with nonprofits including Oregon Food Bank, Special Olympics, and Blanchet House.

The school's revenue model centers on tuition ($20,009 base, $24,509 full cost), supplemented by registration and program fees, summer camps (Camp Central), the Ram Raiser student fundraiser, the Central Catholic Fund, the annual Presidents' Dinner and Auction, planned giving via the Gift Legacy platform, and a substantial endowment supporting 80+ endowed scholarships. Total annual financial aid distributed is $4.4-4.6 million, with average award size of $5,721. Enrollment marketing runs through a SchoolAdmin-powered admissions portal, annual Open House events, Character Connection Events, Spend-a-Day visits, a student Rambassador program, and outreach to 112 partner schools. Leadership includes President Colin McGinty (since 2017), Principal Danyelle Ramsey (since 2019), Vice Presidents of Admissions (Matt Horne '88), Advancement (Ellie Dir), and Finance (Michele Hill), with an Archdiocese-affiliated Board of Directors.

Name

Central Catholic High School - Portland

Legal name

Central Catholic High School

Website

https://centralcatholichigh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Central Catholic High School is a private Catholic college-preparatory high school in Portland, Oregon, founded in 1939 and operated by the Archdiocese of Portland, serving ~864 students with 27 AP/Honors courses, PCC dual credit, 57 athletic teams, and $4.4-4.6M in annual financial aid.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Catholic Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

Keywords

• Catholic secondary education
• College preparatory curriculum
• Christian service learning
• Catholic high school athletics
• Tuition financial aid

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments. 2026-2027 tuition is $20,009 (with full cost payment option of $24,509). Families can pay in full or through 11 monthly installments from July-May. The actual cost to educate each student is $24,509, with $4,500 credited as a tax-deductible donation for full-cost payers.
2. Fees (Registration and Program): Registration fee of $500, Senior fee of $250, and Monthly Payment Option fee of $120. Athletic participation fee of $150 per season. Additional revenue from summer camps and programs.
3. Financial Aid and Scholarship Distribution: Approximately $4.4-4.6 million annually in financial aid, scholarships, and tuition assistance distributed to families. 64% of students receive some type of financial support. Average award size is $5,721 for 2026-27 school year.
4. Ram Raiser Student Fundraiser: Student-led annual fundraiser 'Ram Raiser' raises more than $150,000 yearly for tuition assistance, supplementing institutional financial aid capacity.
5. Donations and Planned Giving: Endowment program, Central Catholic Fund, annual auction (Presidents' Dinner and Auction), and planned giving through gift legacy platform. Over 80 endowed scholarships established by alumni and community members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Central Catholic High School is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school delivering four-year secondary education to approximately 864 students in grades 9–12. The school's core offering spans a 9-department academic curriculum (including 27 AP/Honors courses and PCC dual credit), 57 athletic teams, faith formation through Campus Ministry and retreats, the required Christian Service program, the RAMS Program for students with diverse learning needs, and summer enrichment — all delivered on a single Portland campus under Archdiocesan governance.

Product overview

Central Catholic High School is a college preparatory Catholic high school offering a comprehensive educational program. The school operates as a single unified institution providing academic programs through 9 departments (English, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Technology/Business, Theology, Wellness/PE, World Languages), with 27 AP/Honors courses and dual credit options through PCC. Beyond academics, the school offers athletics (57 teams), arts programs, faith and service initiatives including retreats and Christian service requirements, the RAMS special needs inclusion program, summer camps, and comprehensive admissions and financial aid services. The institution serves approximately 864 students and provides over $4.6 million in annual financial support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academic Programs College preparatory curriculum spanning 9 academic departments (English, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Technology/Business, Theology, Wellness/PE, World Languages) with 27 AP and Honors courses and dual credit through Portland Community College, serving grades 9–12 students.
• Athletics Programs 57 athletic teams across fall, winter, and spring sports including football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, track and field, lacrosse, skiing, snowboarding, swimming, tennis, golf, baseball, and softball, with strength and conditioning programming.
• Arts Programs Visual and performing arts offerings including theater, music (jazz and concert band), ceramics, art, digital photography, and AP courses in ceramics and art.
• Faith and Service Programs Catholic identity programs including Christian Service, Community Ministry, Retreat Programs (Freshmen, Sophomore, Search, Senior), and Travel Immersion Experiences; 20,000+ service hours and projects completed yearly.
• RAMS Program (Special Education Support) Special education program providing inclusive education and support for students with diverse learning needs, with peer mentors and dedicated staff.
• Camp Central: Play, Lead, Grow (Summer Programs) Summer enrichment program offering academic classes, athletic team camps, and leadership development opportunities (Summer Youth Leadership Institute — Impact Leaders) for incoming freshmen and current students.
• Equity and Community Engagement Program Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives including affinity groups, equity summits, Parent Equity Coalition, and Catholic Social Teaching integration.
• Admissions Services Comprehensive admissions process including applications, financial aid processing through FACTS, scholarships, transfer admissions, and character connection events for prospective students and families.
• Financial Aid and Scholarships Tuition assistance totaling $4.6 million annually with over 80 endowed scholarships, need-based aid through FACTS, and merit scholarship programs administered through the Director of Scholarships.

Quantifiable outcome

• 64% of students receive financial aid/scholarships totaling $4.4-4.6M annually
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Portland Community College (PCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual credit partnership allowing students to earn college credits while meeting Central Catholic graduation requirements. Eight dual credit courses offered through PCC, with students earning 2,000+ credit hours annually worth over $1 million in tuition savings.
• FACTS Grant & Aid AssessmentcoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party tuition assistance application processing service. FACTS processes financial aid applications considering income, assets, family size, and other factors to determine eligibility and award amounts for need-based tuition assistance.
• Education Across BordersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost organization for Service Immersion trip to Dominican Republic (Spring 2026). Education Across Borders coordinates planning, logistics, and execution of the service immersion experience.
• EF Educational ToursminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducational travel partner coordinating Art Trip to Japan (March 20-29, 2026). EF Educational Tours handles logistics, travel arrangements, and tour management for international student travel.
• Ignatian Solidarity NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost for Ignatian Teach In service learning program (November 14-18, 2025). Faculty lead Melissa Lowery accompanies students to this annual event focused on social justice education.
• Camp Eagle FerncoreOthersOvernight retreat facility in Estacada, Oregon used for Freshmen Retreat, Sophomore Retreat, and Search Retreat. Central Catholic students travel to Camp Eagle Fern for multi-day faith formation experiences.
• Sojourn ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost organization for 'Sojourn to the Past' civil rights history immersion trip (March 25-April 1). Students travel with Sojourn Project for service immersion focused on civil rights history education.
• Myojo Gakuen Exchange ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese language exchange program partner for Japan Exchange Program (April-June 2026). Faculty lead Mariko Tokoyoda coordinates student exchange with Myojo Gakuen.
• WonderfolkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTravel program that several Central Catholic students have participated in for experiential learning opportunities outside of school-organized trips.
• Oregon Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian Service partner site where students complete service hours. Students serve at Oregon Food Bank as part of the Houselessness and Hunger focus area of the Christian Service Program.
• St. André Bessette Catholic ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian Service partner site for student service hours. Parish ministry opportunities available to students through the Christian Service Program.
• Special OlympicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian Service partner site where students volunteer. Students engage with Special Olympics as part of Health, Education, and Faith Formation service focus area.
• Blanchet HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian Service partner site for student service hours. Students serve at Blanchet House, which provides meals and services to those experiencing food insecurity in Portland.
• Archdiocese of PortlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOverseeing diocese for Central Catholic as an Archdiocesan Catholic high school. Director of Catholic Education Elias Moo serves on the Board of Directors. School operates under Archdiocese governance and aligns with Catholic school mission and standards.
• Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA)coreOthersState athletic and activities governing body. Central Catholic competes in OSAA sanctioned sports and activities, with athletic programs subject to OSAA rules, eligibility requirements, and tournament playoffs.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Oregon Episcopal School: Oregon Episcopal School is a well-established independent (non-Catholic) college-prep school in Portland serving a similar tuition-paying demographic. It competes for the same academically oriented families considering independent Catholic options.
• Catlin Gabel School: Catlin Gabel is a top-tier Portland-area independent school with a progressive college-prep curriculum targeting the same private-school-paying families. It represents the leading non-religious independent alternative in the regional competitive set.

Direct peers

• De La Salle North Catholic High School: De La Salle North Catholic is a smaller Catholic high school in Portland, providing another coed Catholic college-prep option in the same regional market with overlapping feeder schools. Comparable in mission though significantly smaller in enrollment.
• Jesuit High School: Jesuit High School is Portland's other archdiocesan-level Catholic college-prep high school, serving a coed student body of similar size with comparable AP, athletics, and service programs. It is the most direct head-to-head competitor in the Portland Catholic high school market.
• St. Mary's Academy: St. Mary's is a Catholic all-girls college-prep high school in Portland, drawing from the same regional feeder pool and offering parallel academic rigor, faith formation, and athletic offerings. Families often choose between St. Mary's and Central Catholic depending on single-sex versus coed preference.

Regional players

• Valley Catholic School: Valley Catholic in Beaverton, Oregon is a Catholic K-12 institution that also feeds older students from the west-side Portland metro. It is a regional alternative for Portland-area families weighing Catholic secondary options.
• Archbishop Murphy High School: Archbishop Murphy is a Catholic college-prep high school in Everett, Washington - across the Columbia in the Pacific Northwest market from which Central Catholic draws some students. Comparable faith-based college-prep model for Pacific Northwest Catholic families.
• La Salle Catholic College Preparatory: La Salle is a Catholic college-prep high school located just outside Portland in Milwaukie, Oregon, serving a similar demographic but with slightly different geographic reach. It is an Oregon-based Catholic college-prep alternative families compare to Central Catholic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ccrams
• Facebookfacebook.com/centralcatholicportland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/central-catholic-high-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/cchsrams

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Catholic High School - Portland