History

At the beginning of the 1960’s, as enrollment at St. Cecelia Catholic School in Clearwater grew, it became increasingly apparent that there was a need for a separate Catholic high school in Pinellas County. In 1961, Joseph Hurley, Archbishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, selected Clearwater as the site for this new school.

Clearwater Central Catholic High School (CCC) was founded in February 1962 with the groundbreaking of its first building, later named the Hurley Building. CCC opened its doors in September of 1962 with a seven-member staff and an enrollment of 96 students, grades 9-11. In 1964, the first graduating class consisted of 26 students.

Since then, CCC has continued its dedication to traditional Catholic and Christian values coupled with academic excellence, developing into an outstanding college preparatory high school. CCC maintains a low student-faculty ratio and small class sizes that allow for personal attention to the diverse abilities of each student. Student SAT and ACT test scores consistently rank above Florida and national averages.  CCC maintains 100% graduation and college acceptance rates.

Fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, CCC has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a National School of Excellence and by the National Catholic Educational Association as an American Catholic School for the 21st Century. Serving a broad geographic region that includes Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties, Clearwater Central Catholic High School is one of four Catholic high schools serving on behalf of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Throughout CCC’s history, the faculty has always been key to creating an environment “permeated with the Gospel spirit of freedom and love.” While challenging each student to excel academically, the faculty also assumes leadership roles as mentors, coaches and advisors. Today, their experiences range from two to 40 years in the classroom, with 76% holding post-graduate degrees.

CCC’s beautiful 40-acre campus consists of eight permanent buildings including the Learning and Achievement Center which houses the Joe and Jo Ann White Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the 700-seat James B. White Performing Arts Theater, and a state-of-the-art science education center. Athletic facilities include a contemporary athletic field house, iconic indoor gymnasium, lighted stadium with rubberized track and turf field, lighted baseball field, softball field, beach volleyball courts, lacrosse field and 3-mile cross-country course.