Welcome!
You Belong Here, at Cardinal O’Hara High School. Where smaller class sizes, a family-like atmosphere, and dedication to Franciscan values allows students to thrive.
Student Life
You Belong Here– at a school where the bonds and character created by extra-curricular activities in sports, fine arts, and clubs can be experienced by all. Where you can be the star football player and the lead in the musical. Where Good Samaritan Club and Mastermind members represent the student body in the most impactful ways.
Community Service
In the spirit of St. Francis, we teach our students the importance of serving others in need and to have concern for the betterment of our community. Our students regularly serve many organizations throughout the WNY Community.
Our Mission

Cardinal O’Hara High School, established in 1961, is a Franciscan-based, college preparatory, private high school located on a 17 acre campus in the Town of Tonawanda, NY.
The mission of Cardinal O’Hara High School is to provide a holistic educational environment that addresses the uniqueness of each individual in a total community of learners. We are strongly committed to actively pursuing academic excellence through the inclusion and integration of students who represent different groups, including students of any race, color, disability, religion, national and ethnic origin, and to provide to all students the rights, privileges, programs and activities available at the school.
Our Commitment
Cardinal O’Hara has a dedicated commitment to academic excellence, and helping students grow intellectually and spiritually so they can realize their full potential. Our co-ed environment prepares our young men and women for real world experiences in life. These values have laid the foundation for the success of our alumni.
Advantages
Academics
Cardinal O’Hara offers a variety of course options ranging from Regents to Advanced Placement to College Credit classes. Other highlights include Fine Arts, STEAM, Culinary Institute at O’Hara and Business and Technology. State of the art resources include 100% WiFi coverage, 3D printers, SMART boards and 1:1 laptop program for all students.
Faculty
The faculty at Cardinal O’Hara works tirelessly to foster an enriching academic curriculum that challenges each student. They encourage an atmosphere of inclusion and independence that enables our students to learn and grow as individuals. Our teachers are given personal development opportunities each year to help keep them on forefront of their profession.
Extra-Curricular Activities
The Cardinal O’Hara experience includes many exciting and stimulating clubs and activities. More than 90% of our students participate in at least one extra-curricular activity. This gives students the opportunity to be creative and showcase their skills outside the classroom.
Athletics
A member of the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association, Cardinal O’Hara prides itself on a long standing tradition of successful athletic achievement. Numerous teams have won MMA, WNY & NYS Championship honors. Our campus includes indoor and outdoor facilities as well as a strength and conditioning center.
College and Beyond
Cardinal O’Hara prepares its students for college as well as their life beyond academics. With a 100% college acceptance rate, COHS students have many choices when it comes to college. We know COHS alumni are active, contributing members of their communities.
Calendar of Events
View our full listing of COHS events including school events, sporting events and community and fundraising events.
COHS Living Logo Event

We are excited to be teaming up with Patty’s Picture People to create a COHS Living Logo photo event. (Actual image will be determined when we know the number of participants)
Alumni, students, family and friends are invited to be part of this fun filled day on Saturday, September 10th.
$25 includes your t-shirt to be in the photo, lunch and admission to the varsity football game vs. Letchworth High School
The photo will be taken at approximately 11:15 am with lunch immediately following. The football game will begin at 1:00 pm.
Click here to reserve your spot!
Home School Association Meeting
Our welcome back meeting takes place on Monday, September 12th at 6:30 pm. Join us to meet other parents and help us plan for the year.
The COHS Home School Association’s (HSA) purpose shall be to promote communications between COHS and parents on matters of mutual concern, to sponsor events and to foster the involvement of parents in the life of the school for the betterment of COHS and its administration, students, faculty, and staff while upholding the true spirit of the Franciscan traditions.
Mini Schedule Night
Parents and guardians are welcome to join us and follow your student’s schedule to meet their teachers and learn about the curriculum they will have for the year. We will begin the evening in the Performing Arts Center for a brief meeting.
Hawk-tion Gift-on-the-Go
Hawk-tion 2022- will take place on Friday, November 4th. Our Gift-on-the-Go is a great time for parents to drop off their Hawk-tion gift. We will be in the COHS parking to accept the items. Grab a cup of coffee and donut on your way through!
Fall 2022 Open House
You Belong Here!
Join us at our fall open house! All students in grades six through eight and their families are invited to explore all that Cardinal O’Hara has to offer.
You will be able to walk our hallways with your very own student tour guide, speak with teachers from all of our departments, ask as many questions of our guidance staff as you’d like, and talk to our coaches and moderators about our many sports teams, clubs and activities. Meet current parents and hear about the O’Hara family!
News & Announcements

HawkTalk- A Recap of Reunion Weekend 2022
O’HaraFest and reunion weekend 2022 was a great time! Check out Dave Lovering’s photo recap. And Save-the-Date for Reunion Weekend 2023- July 28-30th https://conta.cc/3PJAUTo

HawkTalk- John Roach ’67
See what John Roach ’67 had to say about his career in law enforcement and COHS. https://conta.cc/3wveRI4

HawkTalk- Jeff Yeates ’69
Coming off the NFL draft, Dave Lovering shares his HawkTalk with former NFL player and COHS Alum Jeff Yeates ’69 https://conta.cc/3stPnts
Testimonials
Schedule a Tour
Explore everything from the Auditorium to the Gym to classrooms, all from the comfort of your home with our immersive virtual tour.
Then, give us a call to visit us in person and see why You Belong Here at COHS.

Support us
The culture of giving at Cardinal O’Hara is essential to insuring that our mission is kept alive and that our school continues to offer valuable opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds.