Coyle and Cassidy

High School

      2 Hamilton Street  .  Taunton, MA 02780  .  Phone: 508-823-6164  .  Fax: 508-823-2530

" Tradition

   Lives

   Here "

A Brief History

         Catholic secondary education in Taunton had its beginning in 1907 when Monsignor James Coyle, then pastor of Saint Mary’s Church in Taunton, opened Saint Mary’s High School. Msgr. Coyle’s interest in educating youth in a decidedly Catholic setting resulted in growing interest in Saint Mary’s High School, and by 1930 many prospective students had to be turned away because of lack of space.

Following Msgr. Coyle’s death in the early ‘30s, Bishop Cassidy announced that a Catholic high school for boys would be constructed on Summer Street in Taunton, and would be staffed by the Brothers of Holy Cross. Upon completion in 1933, the school was dedicated to the memory of Monsignor Coyle. Saint Mary’s High School then became a girls’ high school and continued to be staffed by the Holy Union Sisters.

The need for a modern facility for the girls emerged in the late 50’s and early 60’s. In 1963 a modern and carefully planned school for girls was constructed on the corner of Adams and Hamilton Streets, near Hopewell Park. The school, administered by the Holy Union Sisters, was dedicated to the memory of Bishop James Cassidy. Thus, the two clergymen who played very prominent roles in the development and fostering of Catholic education in Taunton were honored with high schools dedicated to them, emphasizing their commitment and their zeal.

         The changing fortunes of time, a shortage of vocations and the unpredictable social, spiritual and economic upheavals that deeply affected the Church and its institutions in the late ‘60s, however, necessitated drastic measures if Catholic education was to be preserved in Taunton. In 1971 Monsignor Coyle and Bishop Cassidy High Schools merged in the Adams and Hamilton Streets facility, thus reinstating the concept of co-educational secondary education, and providing a “new beginning” for Catholic secondary schools in Taunton.

Under the capable leadership of Sister Virginia O’Hare, S.U.S.C., the first principal of Coyle and Cassidy High School, and then Reverend Richard Beaulieu, Coyle and Cassidy High School has been developing its own image as a Catholic secondary school. In doing so it has been drawing from the fine traditions of both Msgr. Coyle and Bishop Cassidy High Schools, but adapting them to the present day.

As CCHS moved through the ‘70s and into the ‘80s, it became increasingly apparent that religious vocations were dwindling in number and that the lay ministry in the education field was becoming progressively more important. In the latter part of the 1980s changes in administrative responsibilities were needed to keep up with ever-changing needs of society. The Diocese of Fall River grasped the opportunity to name a lay educator as head of CCHS. In 1981, Mr. Michael Donly was named principal after spending ten years at CCHS in various capacities both in the classroom and in the administration of the school. In 1987 Mr. Donly became Headmaster of the school, overlooking all aspects of Coyle and Cassidy’s place in the Greater Taunton community. After twenty-two years, Mr. Donly left Coyle Cassidy. 

In 1997 Mr. Dennis Poyant was named Headmaster.  Mr. Poyant served in this position until June 2003.  To supervise the educational aspect of the school on a day-to-day basis, the office of Assistant Principal (later to be called Academic Principal), was established in 1983, with Mrs. Norma Mulryan being named to the position.   Upon Mrs. Mulryan’s retirement in 1998, Dr. Donna Boyle assumed the responsibilities.  The school year of 2002-2003 saw Dr. Mary Pat Tranter become Academic Principal.

In July 2003, the Diocese of Fall River replaced the Headmaster-Academic Principal model with the President-Principal model of administration.  Brother Harold Hathaway, C.S.C. ‘62 was named the first President, and Dr. Mary Pat Tranter became Principal.  In July 2007, Dr. Tranter assumed the President's role and Mr. Paul Cartier was named Principal. 

Only those physical renovations that were absolutely necessary had been done on the building at the time of the merger. In 1983 because of solid enrollment, the physical building of Coyle and Cassidy was expanded. With the blessing of Bishop Daniel Cronin, CCHS initiated a capital campaign to add on an athletic wing. Due to the generosity of the Bishop, alumni and friends of CCHS, one million dollars was raised. The new athletic wing opened for student use in September of 1984.

In May of 1991, CCHS was named a recipient of the Exemplary School Award by the U.S. Department of Education. The school was one of only 38 Catholic high schools across the country to receive this honor. The award represents the dedication and support of all Coyle and Cassidy faculty, families and benefactors over the years who have sacrificed much to promote the growth and stability of the school.

Throughout the nineties enrollment held steady, even grew a bit. Technology needs couldn’t be appropriately met with the existing facility so in 1995 a capital campaign was launched to finance an addition. The support of the diocese and generosity of alumni, families and friends of CC was most gratifying. The new wing was opened in September 1997. It houses the McCarty Theater for the Performing Arts, a new and modernized library, well equipped computer labs, a rehearsal room for the band and chorus as well as a few additional classrooms.

 In 1998 as a testimony to the school’s continuing achievement, CCHS received the School of Excellence award for the second time, the only high school in the New England region to be honored that year.

Coyle and Cassidy looks to the new millennium with positive expectations. CCHS has strived to be an important member of the Greater Taunton community with service being an integral component of this relationship. For example, the Community Service program, which began in 1983-84, continues to provide agencies throughout the Taunton area with volunteers from our school community. More recently, the school initiated a more formal campus ministry program in an attempt to enhance the spiritual life and development of the school.

        The image of Coyle and Cassidy has been exemplified through its graduates and has left an indelible impression on the Greater Taunton community. The years of dedication by the members of the religious and lay faculty have served as an example of the never ending desire to offer an atmosphere most conducive to the educational, emotional, moral and social development of young men and women.