DeMathaHighSchool history

The student body was suddenly over 80 students at the opening of school in 1947!

The rapidly growing school was forced to expand yet again in the late 1950's.

Also beginning their careers in the early 1960's were DeMatha veterans Mr.

On January 30, 1965, the national spotlight shined brightly on DeMatha and its basketball team.

The academic year of 1968-69 was the first year that saw Mr.

Although enrollment at DeMatha continued to increase into the school's third decade (515 students by September 1969), there were ominous signs and rough roads ahead.

But in July 1979, tragedy struck as "Fort Necessity" was severely damaged by fire.

As early as 1982, however, the school began reviewing plans to renovate the "main building", creating what would be a new wing to be added to the area of the gymnasium.

In May of that same academic year the Department of Education again recognized DeMatha Catholic as one of 200 exemplary high schools in the nation, matching the honor given in 1984.

In September 1985, enrollment at DeMatha Catholic High School had reached an astounding 920 students, the peak of an increase seen throughout the school's fourth decade.

Enrollment remained strong while intense fund raising and school support by generous boosters, friends, and alumni allowed ground to be broken for a new addition in October 1988.

January of 1993 saw another historic event as the legendary Morgan Wootten won his 1,000th basketball game as head coach of the Stags.

In September 1997, DeMatha opened a new Student Activities Center which includes an expansive multi-purpose area, a weight room, a training room, a photography dark room, and additional classrooms.

Three new parking areas off Route 1 opened in September 2008.

The Brendan McCarthy Center reopened in September 2009 as the home of DeMatha's outstanding Music Program.

The Hanley Science Wing, with state of the art science facilities, opened in 2011.