President's Welcome

Welcome to Cotter Schools! 

At the graduation ceremony of the inaugural class in 1911, the founder of Cotter High School, Bishop Heffron, stated “that it would be the purpose of Cotter High School to place before its pupils the highest ideals of citizenship and to teach the virtues that are essential to the realization of those ideals. A good citizen must be a person of honor, honesty, truth, courage, and integrity. Make a difference in the lives of others. Live in peace and harmony with your fellow citizens."

Today we continue to advance a tradition of Catholic education that began more than 110 years ago. As of July 1, Cotter Schools is a unified learning community serving students ages 16 months - Grade 12 on one campus. With more than 1,000 students in our care, the Cotter faculty and staff are committed to the mission of challenging students to achieve their full potential and use their lives in service of others. As a graduate of Cotter, I am humbled and excited to lead this wonderful community and to serve alongside our dedicated staff. 

We strive to educate the whole student: we are committed to academic excellence, active faith development, personal growth, social responsibility, and quality co-curricular activities. We work to provide a learning environment that both challenges and supports students as they grow and develop their gifts. We help students recognize that as members of a community, they benefit from, and are responsible for, others. Together, in community, we make a difference! 

Current students, parents, staff, and alumni speak about the Cotter Family, and it is our goal that each person sees themselves as a valuable member of our community. Welcoming students from both local neighborhoods and countries throughout the world, we are globally learning, faithfully serving, together in community! 

We are most grateful to our alumni, benefactors, families, and friends for their continued support and sacrifice. Our tradition of excellence continues because of you. 

Once a Rambler, Always a Rambler! 

Mary Eileen Fitch, ‘95 
President, Cotter Schools