Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Our diversity is central to who we are as a school and family.

In this spirit, we are committed to building

a more equitable school, community, and world.

We are Central. Each and every one of us. In our uniqueness, our different perspectives and backgrounds, our talents and gifts.

Central Catholic High School seeks to uphold anti-racist practices and promote empathetic attitudes to reflect a just and inclusive community that celebrates the identities, gifts, and dignity of its members. We condemn thoughts, words, and actions that harm one’s humanity. We call each other to follow Jesus’ example of love.

Letter from the President
The Full Declaration of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Letter from the President

Dear Members of the Central Catholic Family,

Thank you for taking the time to read our Declaration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. I am grateful to a great many of our faculty and staff who have worked diligently to prepare this important statement. I am also proud of the contribution of students and alumni who have shared their experiences and whose passion is reflected in our Declaration.

Central Catholic High School is and should be a learning community, and, as such, we should continually grow in our knowledge of what is true and good. We recognize that, as a human institution, we do not always live up to the ideals that we set for ourselves, but we are committed to building a community where the dignity of every person is respected. Central is a microcosm of our society, and while we always strive to live out our mission, we apologize for those times when members of our community have not felt that their whole selves were welcome.

In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus talks of the shepherd who leaves the 99 to find and bring back the one who was lost. To all members of our Central Catholic Family, if you have been one of the 99, we celebrate with you on the pride and joy you take in your Central experience. If you are the one, we are sorry. Our Declaration is our commitment to always look out for all… especially the one who may get lost.

This commitment to diversity and inclusion arises from our aspirations about the community we want Central Catholic to be, the experience we hope to provide our students, and the moral character they will develop during their time with us. It goes to the heart of our mission, to who we are and to what we want to be.

Peace,

Christopher F. Sullivan '81

President, Central Catholic High School

The Full Declaration of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Central Catholic High School celebrates the identities, gifts, and dignity of all of its members as each enhances the excellence and enriches the traditions of our school.

We seek to uphold anti-racist practices and promote empathetic attitudes to reflect a just and inclusive community.

We condemn thoughts, words, and actions that harm one’s humanity.

We honor the experiences of all individuals and groups, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, ability (physical and learning differences), gender, sexual orientation, age, and socioeconomic background.

As a Marist school rooted in God’s love and dedicated to emulating Jesus’ radical ways, we strive to be in solidarity with each other. We share St. Marcellin Champagnat’s belief that “to bring up children properly, we must love them and love them all equally.” Through a commitment to consistent reflection and honest dialogues, we will further educate ourselves as agents of justice and change to ensure a welcoming environment for all who study, work, and visit this institution.

As one Central family of students, alumni, caretakers, faculty, staff, administrators, and Marist Brothers, we recognize that:

Jesus lives in every person,
growth comes with vulnerability,
everyone holds implicit prejudice and has room to grow,
humility, patience, and accountability are at the core of challenging one’s self and each other,
the commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity is an ongoing collective and individual effort.

We Are Unique in our Diversity

Students come to Central Catholic from over 60 cities and towns.

They come from diverse backgrounds and experiences to form a caring community of faith, learning, and service.

They come together as classmates, peers, and teammates.

They learn together and from one another as they develop a deeper understanding of who they are as people and how we fit together as a community.

Be the CAUSE

Students, faculty, and staff participate in Diversity & Leadership Training at Central Catholic.

Be the CAUSE

Diversity, Inclusion, Leadership, & Social Justice Groups on Campus

Students Can Open People’s Eyes (S.C.O.P.E.)

S.C.O.P.E. (Students Can Open People’s Eyes) supports multicultural students in their CCHS experience. The goal of SCOPE is for members to build relationships with peers, develop cultural agility through intercultural interaction, and create a network of support for multicultural students at CCHS while maintaining and sharing their identity and cultural values. SCOPE members participate in special retreat days and additional social, positive, and informative activities throughout the year.

Amnesty International

Amnesty International is a worldwide organization whose vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Club endeavors to find meaningful methods of communication in our school community and to respond to issues of concern in a manner that is appropriate and consistent with the Mission of Central Catholic.

Anime Club

Be the CAUSE Diversity & Leadership Training

Be the CAUSE is an interactive workshop where we learn and discuss topics around social and racial equity and justice and discuss practical ways to create a more inclusive environment here at CCHS.

Who should participate in this?

Student-Athletes and Athletic Captains
Student Club and Activity Representatives
Student Council E-Board Members
And all other students who are interested in making Central Catholic a more welcoming place for all of its students.

Participants will receive a Be the CAUSE certificate in diversity awareness and leadership from Merrimack College.

Chinese Culture Club

The Chinese Culture Club brings Chinese and other Asian traditions and celebrations to CCHS students. Members of the club explore Chinese culture through authentic Chinese cuisine, movies, festivals and celebrations. The club also hosts a weekly Chinese language table which encourages all CCHS students of any speaking capacity to come and converse in Chinese Mandarin. Previous experience speaking the Chinese language is not required. Anyone with a genuine interest in the Chinese way of life is encouraged to join.

Camp Champagnat Leadership Institute

Camp Champagnat is a fun and action packed three-day experience that promotes leadership in the Marist tradition. Participants discover the key elements of leadership and making a difference through the activities and games presented by the team of Student Leaders.

Lessons learned through St. Marcellin Champagnat's life serve as the foundation for the camp. By attending Camp Champagnat, participants become more connected to the CCHS community and are encouraged to take on a greater leadership role in their lives and at CCHS.

Model United Nations Club

Passport Club

Spectrum

Spectrum celebrates that we are created in God’s image and that we all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

The goal of Spectrum is to promote Catholic understanding, compassion and commitment to social justice for the LGTBQ community and their allies. Through various events and activities, Spectrum works to build acceptance and support within the Central Catholic community and have fun in the process.

Students for Life

Students for Life’s mission is to raise awareness of the pro-life movement. In an attempt to help the cause, members hold discussions about the respect for all life.

To help their mission, Students for Life hosts fundraisers and service days to help pregnancy care centers in our area. The group also promotes, organizes, and supports those attending the March for Life in Washington D.C.

United We Stand

United We Stand is a newly-established club working to break down popular social issues and talk about them in an unbiased setting.

Members come together to discuss social justice and human rights issues such as, but not limited to: pro-riot vs. anti-riot, women's rights, Black Lives Matter vs. All Lives Matter, climate change and many others. The kick-off meeting in November 2020 was attended by over 70 students!

"This club is much needed following the current events happening in our world,” stated the United We Stand Executive Board. “Many individuals need a place to focus on the conversation about these sensitive topics in order to make Central a more welcoming place for those of all backgrounds and beliefs."

News on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Lester Fagen speaks to a classroom of students

Surviving the Holocaust through Schindler's List

Feb 24 2025

Thank you to Lester Fagen, Esq. for sharing his father’s powerful story of surviving the Holocaust with students enrolled in the course Facing History & Ourselves.

Player with stick running through intro line

Celebrating Girls & Women in Raider Sports

Feb 5 2025

In honor of National Girls & Women in Sports Day, The Imprescia Center for Female Sports Leadership reached out to alumnae, coaches, and winter sports captains for the impact of Raider Athletics on their lives. We are delighted to showcase their responses throughout the month.

Facing History & Ourselves: the Holocaust

Dec 9 2024

Students enrolled in the course Facing History & Ourselves recently met with Dr. Rita Goldberg, an author and Harvard lecturer who is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and resistor.

Dia de los Muertos at Harvard's Peabody Museum

Nov 12 2024

On November 5, over 30 AP Spanish Language and Culture students attended a Dia de los Muertos presentation at Harvard University’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.

Beyond the Classroom: Reflecting on Auschwitz

Sep 26 2024

Students enrolled in the Religious Studies course Facing History & Ourselves recently traveled to Boston to experience: Auschwitz. Not Long Ago. Not Far Away. This powerful exhibit recalls the horrors of the Holocaust through over 700 artifacts.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Central Catholic

Sep 17 2024

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 through October 15. Through a collaboration between various Central Catholic groups and organizations, we will be celebrating throughout the month and beyond with various activities throughout the school. Everyone is invited to participate.

We Are Leading on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Mrs. Aliali Belkus

Assistant Principal of Community & Belonging

School: 978-682-0260 ext. 620

Mr. Christopher Sullivan

President

School: 978-682-0260 ext. 618

Mr. Andrew Murray

Principal

School: 978-682-0260 ext. 600