Home - Cardinal O'Hara High School

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.

Cardinal O'Hara

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.

You Belong Here

Calendar of Events

View our full listing of COHS events including school events, sporting events and community and fundraising events.

December 2022

06 December

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Homeschool Association Meeting

14 December

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Greccio and Christmas Concert

26 December - 03 January

All Day

Christmas Break

January 2023

27 January

8:00 pm - 11:00 pm

BBC Concert

No event found!

Cardinal O'Hara

News & Announcements

HawkTalk- Jessica (Mang) Morris ’94

Dave took some time to chat with Jessica Morris ’94 about her journey from O’Hara to Africa! https://conta.cc/3C3QOTm

October 5, 2022

HawkTalk- Jackey (Balzer) DesChamps ’95

In the true Franciscan tradition, COHS alumni give back! Read about Jackey DesChamps ’95 and her inspiring story of raising money to help fight melanoma.

September 8, 2022

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

July 25, 2022

Testimonials

The choice to send our daughters to Cardinal O’Hara was without a doubt the best choice we could have made. COHS helped them grow into confident individuals and prepared them for the rigors of college life.

When our daughter began planning for high school, she scheduled shadow days at our public school district and several private schools. After considering the academic, athletic and overall quality of our search, she said she wanted Cardinal O’Hara to become her high school home. Since then, and now in her senior year, our family is very grateful for the wonderful leadership, all of the first-rate teachers, and the quality and character of the students and families at COHS.

Our three children chose Cardinal O’Hara to be their home and from the beginning we have never looked back! O’Hara is family to us all and has allowed my children to thrive in all aspects; academically, athletically and as individuals. To say we are pleased with our children’s choice would be an understatement!

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.