Aurora Central Catholic High School (ACC) is a Roman Catholic secondary school under the direction of the Diocese of Rockford. ACC began as two separate secondary schools in 1926 and 1962. Madonna Catholic High School, a girls school, and Roncalli High School, a boys school, merged in 1968 to become Aurora Central Catholic. The first campus was located on the east side of Aurora, Illinois, in what is now Cowherd Middle School. The school moved to its current location, on Aurora's west side, in 1995. The 2023 student body was about 450 students.
Academics Aurora Central Catholic requires 28 credits for graduation. However, because of the block scheduling system, many students graduate with 30 or 32 credits. There is a wide range of courses and levels offered which includes honors, independent study, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
The Aurora Central Catholic High School Class of 2009 had ten Illinois State Scholars. This year ACC claimed its college-bound students earned over $5.2 million in scholarship money. This amount is higher than the Class of 2006's $3.7 million. Over 95% of ACC graduates go on to secondary education at various respective universities and colleges throughout the country. The school was recognized as one of the top 50 Catholic high schools in the United States in 2004 and 2005.
Principals, 1968–Present James Swann 1968-1986 Robert Stewart 1987-1997 Randy Thomas 1997-2000 Fr. William Etheredge 2000–2022 Paul Mayer 2022–present
Athletics ACC participates in multiple classes (depending on the sport) in the Illinois High School Association. ACC is a member of the Chicago Catholic League for boys and the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference for girls as of the 2023-24 school year. Teams are stylized as the Chargers.
Notable alumni Joe Birkett, Judge of the Illinois Appellate Court, former DuPage County, Illinois, State's Attorney Tim Buckley, NCAA Men's Basketball Coach for Iowa State University Cyclones Kevin Dunn, actor Bob Kipper, Major League Baseball player and coach Kathleen Vinehout, Wisconsin State SenateWisconsin Blue Book 2007-2008, Biographical Sketch of Kathleen Vinehout, p. 80.
References
External links Aurora Central Catholic High School Central Times Online, ACC student newspaper website Illinois High School Association, detailed athletics information