Cassata High School is a private, nonprofit outreach school of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth that is committed to providing young people with another chance at success. Cassata’s mission has been the same since its inception in 1975: To provide an effective, quality education that enables students of all backgrounds to raise their educational level and complete their secondary education.
Many of Cassata’s students face significant barriers to obtaining an education—for the 2010/11 school year, 44% of graduates were the first in their family to earn a high school diploma; 27% of students were teen parents; and 17% were over the age of 21.
Cassata offers a unique educational model that helps each student develop a strategy for success, and Cassata has a demonstrated legacy of success at transforming struggling youth into high school graduates. In fact, 81% of 2010/11 graduates are now enrolled in 2 or 4-year colleges, enlisted in the military or have started trade school.
Cassata’s primary activity is its High School Program, which is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Texas Catholic Conference. We also offer GED preparation.
To foster a sense of ownership in their education, all Cassata’s students are required to pay some amount of tuition. Tuition is determined by a sliding scale based on family income. Eighty-nine percent of students receive tuition assistance which is provided for thanks to the generosity of foundations, corporations and individual support.
History
In 1974, Sister Mary Bonaventure and Sister Mary Fulbright, both educators, set out to establish a school for students of high school age and above who had not yet completed their secondary education. They envisioned a school that welcomed anyone willing to learn regardless of their background or financial circumstances. The school officially opened in 1975 and was named in honor of Bishop John J. Cassata, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth.
The Cassata High School building is steeped in Fort Worth’s educational history. Constructed in 1921 as Laneri College, it became Laneri School for Boys and was Fort Worth’s first Catholic high school. Laneri closed in 1960 and merged with other area schools to become Nolan Catholic High School, and use of the building was granted to Cassata a decade later. Cassata has always welcomed anyone willing to learn regardless of their background or financial circumstances. Cassata does not offer a religious curriculum, but rather works to instill strong values, such as respectfulness, self-confidence, positive communication skills and maturity.
Our Students
Cassata serves students with a variety of backgrounds and circumstances. The 2010/11 student body came from 84 previous schools across 48 zip codes in Tarrant, Dallas, Denton and Johnson counties. Cassata’s location on the bus line allows many students to travel from other sections of the city.
