Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School - Demographics

Demographics

The majority of the CSHM families reside in communities surrounding the East Los Angeles area. 95% of the students are Roman Catholic. Economically, the families are characterized as blue collar/skilled labor workers and managers of small privately owned businesses. 52% of the students live below the government designated “poverty” line and would qualify for the federal school lunch program if they attended a public school. CSHM has a very generous financial aid program and close to a fourth of the students work jobs after school to supplement their tuition. As a school it is completely self-supporting with the exception of generous support from foundations and many committed donors, including the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, and support from the archdiocese of Los Angeles for the physical plant of the school, and its spacious property.

Given this history, infused with the tradition and mission of the RSHM, and the presence of so many teachers and staff who taught and worked beside RSHM sisters and many who are graduates of Sacred Heart of Mary High School, and many who are the children of mothers educated at Sacred Heart of Mary High School, it is a natural progression that the goals and mission of CSHM high school do embrace the goals and mission of the RSHM network of schools. In so many ways, the Mission of the RSHM Network of Schools is mirrored in the goals and mission of CSHM High School . The principal's secretary began at Sacred Heart of Mary H.S. in 1973 and continues her role at CSHM for a total of almost 40 years of service.