School Profile

Cited by Newsweek and Baltimore Magazine as one of the county's best high schools, Catonsville High School continues its one-hundred year tradition of excellence as it plays a pivotal role in the vitality of a proud and supportive community. An active and supportive PTSA, Sports Boosters Club, and Alumni Association make important contributions to the school’s rich and outstanding tradition of excellence. The school’s history of a strong, rigorous academic program with an extensive array of extracurricular activities has made Catonsville High School a truly outstanding institution.

With a projected enrollment of approximately 1500 students for the 2004-2005 school year, Catonsville High School serves a diverse student population. Over 85% continue on to post-secondary education. Approximately 25% of Catonsville High School’s students are members of a minority group; approximately 10% of CHS students receive special education services. The school’s program is designed to meet the needs of all students and includes an extensive array of standard, honors, gifted and talented, and Advanced Placement courses. During the 2003-04 year, CHS boasted 8 National Merit Finalists. Special needs students are served by inclusion, self-contained, and life skills programs, as well as a newly created program for students with identified behavioral disorders.

The Catonsville High School faculty is comprised of 101 teachers and 18 para-professionals. Ninety-four percent of faculty members are rated highly qualified in their content area.

An extensive student activities program distinguishes Catonsville High School. The school’s interscholastic athletic program boasts 54 teams and involves over 700 students. Catonsville High School has received national recognition for its outstanding speech and debate and music programs, It’s Academic, and mock trial competition. Catonsville High School boasts an outstanding student newspaper, yearbook, and literary magazine, as well as thriving theatre arts and music programs.

Mission Statement

The mission of Catonsville High School is to create a learning community in which all students will acquire the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success. By developing their academic and personal potential, a strong work ethic, and respect for others, our students will achieve a sense of self-worth and become responsible citizens in our diverse, complex, and democratic society

Realizing our Mission
Accreditation for Growth

Catonsville High School is currently going through a two-year Accreditation For Growth (AFG) process which will culminate in an evaluative team visit in March, 2005, by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools from which we receive our accreditation. Participating in the AFG process encourages and facilitates school improvement because its focus is on increased academic achievement as assessed by student performance. The self-evaluation during the 2003-2004 school year required us to revisit our mission and values in order to develop the specific goals that we will strive to attain by 2012. AFG is consistent with Catonsville's well-established school improvement process that also enables us to realize the BCPS Blueprint for Progress and NCLB.

Values Statements

We will provide quality instruction that is based on essential outcomes for each course and that establishes high expectations for learning. As much as possible, instruction will reflect the fact that students have different aptitudes, abilities, interests, and learning styles.

We will provide a broad curriculum of academic subjects, technological training, and the arts—an education that will lead to the lifelong learning essential for success in a dynamic societ

Students, teachers and staff, families, and the broader community will share responsibility for academic achievement.

We will encourage the critical thinking and inquiry that are the foundation of an educated citizenry in a democratic society.

All members of the school community will behave towards others with honesty, civility, responsibility, and respect.

We will promote a variety of extracurricular activities that provide opportunities for the personal development of all students and contribute to the vitality of the school community.

All members of the school community will provide appropriate assistance to students who may need extra support to fulfill their potential.

We will ensure that the school learning environment is safe, clean, orderly, and well-maintained.

AFG Objectives

Goal I
By June, 2012, Catonsville High School students will demonstrate improved academic commitment and achievement as measured by increased participation and performance in Advanced Placement courses, SAT testing, and Maryland State Assessments.

Goal II
By June, 2012, Catonsville High School will demonstrate higher levels of desirable social behavior as measured by indicators relative to suspension, graduation, extra-curricular participation, and perception of school climate.

AFG Internal Coordinators
Beverly Hickman ....Assistant Principal
Kate Hamill ........... English Teacher
Patricia Laun …….. Science Department Chair

SIT/AFG
Steering Committee

Robert Tomback ..................................Principal
Beverly Hickman ..................Assistant Principal
Renee Bateman ........ Parent Special Ed. Liaison
Elizabeth Benzinger .....................Teacher, CHS
Kristina Boxley .........................Guidance Chair
Cynthia Cairns ...... School to Career Counselor
Barbara Chauvin .... Family Studies Dept. Chair
Elaine Conley ...........................................Parent
Carol Crawford ...............................Nurse, CHS
Mary Carol Greenwalt .................Teacher, CHS
Kate Hamill .................................Teacher, CHS
Patricia Laun ...................... Science Dept. Chair
Ashley Palaigos............................. Student, CHS
Charles Priddee ................. Outreach Counselor
Sherman Reed, Sr. ................................... Parent
Susan Sohn ..................................Teacher, CHS
Susan Taylor ................................Teacher, CHS
Carolyn Terry ................ Library Media Specialist
James Young ................................Teacher, CHS
Robert Gast................................. SGA President
Eric Eiswert.................................. Teacher, CHS
Ann Pietrowiak ..........................PTSA President
Cheryl Wilhide......................................... Parent
Sandra Wasserbach............... Sr. Class President

Administration
Robert M. Tomback ...........................Principal
Beverly Hickman ................Assistant Principal
Glenda Johnson .................Assistant Principal
Joseph Mussi ....................... Assistant Principal