“Remember when we were the last class?” That’s what I imagine the alumni of Christopher Columbus High School saying. Today we stand before Christopher Columbus High School. It is a place with a rich history. It is a place that saw its final class graduate.
Christopher Columbus High School, located in the Bronx, has a story of academic excellence. The school opened in 1958. Initially it had only a couple of buildings. Enrollment was about 150 students. The Marist Brothers took over leadership in 1959. Principal Br. Benedict was in charge. Over time, Christopher Columbus High School expanded. New buildings were added. More facilities and programs came.
Christopher Columbus High School became known for excellence. It had about 1700 students. It boasts over 14750 alumni. The school was a model for Catholic schools. It was known all over the country.
Christopher Columbus High School became the Christopher Columbus Educational Campus. Smaller specialized schools shared the premises. These included Pelham Preparatory Academy and Global Enterprise Academy. Also there was Astor Collegiate High School. The Collegiate Institute for Math and Science joined too.
Later, the campus comprised five specialized schools. These were the Collegiate Institute For Math and Science and the High School for Language and Innovation. Bronxdale High School was there. Astor Collegiate Academy and Pelham Preparatory Academy were included.
Christopher Columbus High School has many notable alumni. Robert Abrams was Bronx Borough President and New York State Attorney General. Anne Bancroft was an Oscar-winning actress. Evelyn Berezin created the first word processor. David Berkowitz was a serial killer. Christine Jorgensen was known for sex reassignment surgery. Jeffrey Klein was a member of the New York State Senate. Sal Mineo was an actor known for “Rebel Without a Cause”. Darlene Rodriguez is co-anchor of “Today in New York”.
The Columbus Blue Steel won the Bronx Championships in 2006. The boys’ lacrosse team won the PSAL championship in 2010. It was the first PSAL title for Christopher Columbus High School. The girls softball team won the PSAL championship in 2019. It was the school’s only female championship.
In 2009, the city announced plans to close Christopher Columbus High School. They cited poor performance and low graduation rates. The plan was to phase out the school. No new ninth-grade students would enroll. Students and parents fought to keep the school open.
In its final years, Christopher Columbus High School faced challenges. The school community grew tighter. They supported each other through the end. Christopher Columbus High School’s story reflects the city’s efforts to improve graduation rates.
Today, Christopher Columbus High School stands as a testament to its past. It is a reminder of the students and teachers who walked its halls. Though the school closed, its legacy lives on. The memories and achievements remain. Christopher Columbus High School will be remembered for its contributions to the Bronx.