Conwell-Egan Catholic High School

There is something for everyone at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School. From academics to sports, clubs to service organizations, students will find everything they are looking for at CEC. We proudly offer top quality Catholic education in a flourishing Christian environment.

The  School History

The school now known as Conwell-Egan Catholic High School had its beginning fifty years ago under another name—Bishop Egan High School. Plans for the first Catholic high school in Lower Bucks County were actually begun under the guidance of John Cardinal O'Hara in May, 1953 with the purchase of a ten-acre lot on Levittown Parkway off Route 13.

Ground was broken for the high school in late September, 1956 by Monsignor Edward M. Reilly, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Construction began immediately under the direction of Henry D. Dagit and Sons, architects, and McCloskey and Co., general contractors.

By August of 1957, the first faculty had been assigned, which included seven priests of the Franciscan Fathers Third Order Regular, who were appointed administrators of the high school, eight sisters and one layman. Under the guidance of its first principal, Father Regis Stafford, TOR, the new school opened its doors on September 5, 1957 to 353 freshmen and 254 sophomore students. Before the opening of Bishop Egan High school, the ninth grade students in the area attended classes at two centers—Immaculate Conception School, Levittown or St. Ann School, Bristol.

School spirit was a vital force of Bishop Egan. Not only did students see each other during the school day, but they couldn't wait to socialize after school as well. Who can forget those Egan dances? Even Jerry Blavat, the popular Philadelphia disc jockey, spun records on Friday nights for Bishop Egan students during the early years. The neighboring Levittown Shopping Center was the hub for a part-time job or for meeting fellow students after school. Sunday masses at each parish church were the way to celebrate the Eucharist with students from the parish family.

As students come each year from the 12 neighboring parishes in the densely populated Levittown-Fairless Hills-Bristol area, enrollment increased so rapidly that by 1964 the present building had become inadequate for its 2600 students. Under the authorization of Archbishop John J. Krol, a new Bishop Egan building was planned for the boys in Fairless Hills and the original building became Bishop Conwell High School for girls.

Although the new Bishop Egan High School building was not quite complete, the faculty and 1300 boys moved out at the beginning of the second semester in January, 1966.  By September, 1973  the number of parishes served by Bishop Egan and Bishop Conwell had increased to 15.

IThroughout the eight years of the original Bishop Egan and the twenty-nine years of Bishop Egan and Bishop Conwell, students were a part of history in Lower Bucks County, the nation, and the world. Students and faculty wept with the nation when President John F. Kennedy was shot; cheered as the first man landed on the moon; prayed for the end of the Vietnam Conflict; celebrated as a national family the 200th birthday of the United States; welcomed the newly appointed Pope John Paul 11 to the United States and to Philadelphia; bonded with other youth from the US and England to stop hunger with Live Aid; mourned for the families of the astronauts who perished in the Challenger explosion; applauded the crumbling of the Berlin Wall; and waited for the return of US soldiers from the Persian Gulf War.

In the 1990s, increased tuition and declining student enrollments throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia prompted Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, to commission an archdiocesan-wide study of all diocesan high schools. The private consulting firm of Coopers and Lybrand undertook this study in 1991.

In 1992, based on the Coopers and Lybrand findings, Cardinal Bevilacqua made the decision to close one archdiocesan high school and to merge two other high schools. Bishop Conwell and Bishop Egan high schools were part of that merger and the new school was named Conwell-Egan Catholic High School. Bishop Egan High school became the site of the new school because of its size. The first freshman class reported to Conwell-Egan Catholic in September, 1993.

With the merger came a new governance model for the school: a President, a Principal, and Assistant Principals of Academics, Student Services and Student Affairs.

Father Terence Henry, TOR, the former principal of Bishop Egan was appointed President of the new school; Helen T. Chaykowsky, former principal of Bishop Conwell was named Principal. In September, 1996 William L. Galante replaced Father Terence as President of Conwell-Egan Catholic. In 1999, Sister John Ann Proach, OSF, Ed.D. '66 replaced Ms. Chaykowsky as principal.

Maryjane Pacos McHugh, also a 1966 Bishop Conwell graduate, assumed the position of principal in 2001. Dr. Lorraine Rice, EdD became the third president of CEC in 2003.

Traditionally diocesan high schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia served students from certain areas of the city and suburbs. That has changed to an open enrollment policy whereby students can attend any diocesan Catholic high school they wish.

Today, Conwell-Egan Catholic continues to serve 17 parishes in the Lower Bucks County area although some students are coming from Philadelphia County.  In recent years, Conwell-Egan Catholic is also home to many international students from countries such as Korea, Germany, Kenya, Kuwait and Iran.

With the merger of Bishop Conwell and Bishop Egan the traditions of both schools have become a vital part of Conwell-Egan Catholic. The school seal blends the coats of arms of both schools. Students voted to keep Egan's mascot, the eagle. The new alma mater was written by Donna McGinley, '64 and Mr. Stanley Orkis. School colors have changed from blue and gold at Bishop Conwell and blue and gray at Bishop Egan, to blue and white.

Most of the faculty from both schools were retained, giving CEC a faculty of both lay and religious men and women whose dedication and concern mirror their commitment to Catholic education. A few current faculty members have taught since the early sixties at the original Bishop Egan and several teachers are graduates of Bishop Egan or Bishop Conwell. There is always a familiar face at Conwell-Egan Catholic.

Many traditions that started at Bishop Egan and Bishop Conwell are still alive and flourishing today at Conwell-Egan Catholic. For many students and graduates, Spirit Week is the highlight of the school year. A tradition begun at the original Bishop Egan, Spirit Week is an experience like no other. In fact, no other event demonstrates the enthusiasm of students and graduates and their love of and pride in their school.

Another event that was started at Bishop Egan is the annual Memorial Mass, usually held around All Souls Day in the fall. This event is a powerful, prayerful and important reminder for families, alumni, and students of the beloved students, graduates, faculty and staff who have passed before us.

Today Conwell-Egan Catholic High School is once again at maximum enrollment. This is a vibrant and joyful testament to the success of the merger and to the faith that the Catholic families of Lower Bucks County have in the mission of the school.

Conwell-Egan Catholic's fine reputation is perpetuated with every graduate who marries another graduate; every alumnus who sends children to his/her alma mater; every graduate who supports his/her alma mater with contributions, personal involvement, or maintaining that school spirit that was so much a part of the high school experience.