Wheeling Central Catholic High School Director of Admissions Rob Magruder (Class of 1989), far right, poses with his father Denny Magruder (Class of 1966), mother Barb, and his youngest son Luke Magruder (Class of 2026) at the school.

WHEELING — Whether enrollment numbers rise or fall at Catholic schools across the nation, one aspect remains the same – faith remains at the heart of what students learn.

And Wheeling Central Catholic High School is no exception to this rule. Rob Magruder, director of admissions, said his school is actually seeing an increase in its population.

“Catholic schools locally, across our state and throughout the nation have been in a period of declining enrollment. However, here at CCHS, we have been growing in enrollment for the last five years,” he said. “Population loss in the Ohio Valley has been the main driver of declining student enrollment across all schools, public and parochial.”

He noted the Hope Scholarship has helped with enrollment.

“We began to experience a growth in enrollment prior to the initiation of the Hope Scholarship, due to our challenging college preparatory curriculum,” he said.

“Not only does Hope provide funds to allow for new families, but it also offers help to families who have traditionally supported faith based education.

“We believe strongly in what we do at Central Catholic High School and the Hope Scholarship helps to make it possible for more families to consider the option of a Catholic education.”

Magruder said Wheeling Central is a special place for a variety of reasons.

“First and foremost is our Catholic faith. We challenge our students every day ‘To Think and Act Like Christ,'” he said. “This is at the heart of everything we do. Our faith-based education integrates rigorous academics with spiritual, moral and character formation.

“Another element that makes this place special is our tradition and history. We have been here in Wheeling for over 160 years. To see and feel the immense pride and loyalty that generations of alumni bring to our athletic events and our school community is certainly unique and inspiring. CCHS is a safe and nurturing environment where students are known as individuals, supported, respected and loved. We talk about family a lot here but that is what we are – an extension of every student’s family.”

Part of the school’s teachings are related to community service.

“People may not realize the extent of the service the average CCHS student provides to the community,” Magruder said. “Our students are strongly encouraged to volunteer their time and talents and to be good stewards of the community in which we all live.”

Students can also join different academic, social, spiritual, athletic and service clubs and organizations.

“Our clubs are designed to help students give something back, whether it’s to younger classmates, our partner schools or our friends and neighbors in and around East Wheeling,” he said.

Magruder said people may also not know that its students are from a variety of faith backgrounds.

“There is a misnomer associated with CCHS that all of our students are Catholic. We welcome families of all faiths and backgrounds,” he said. “We ask our students to support our faith mission, represent our school with dignity and pride and to serve the community in which we live.”

He described the school’s academics as “robust.”

“We offer a college preparatory curriculum, where students are challenged to work to learn and grow to reach their God-given potential,” Magruder said.

“Part of our success is that we meet students where they are academically, emotionally and spiritually. In the last five years, we have had at least one student in every one of our country’s elite military academies (Navy, Air Force, West Point), as well as a WVU Foundation Scholar.

“It seems as though every year, we see graduates doing amazing things, both here and abroad, paying it forward and giving back for the many blessings in their own lives.”

Magruder said he sees Wheeling Central’s future as a bright one.

“We will continue to encourage our students ‘To Think and Act Like Christ.’ We will continue to prepare them for life after high school, regardless of their chosen career paths,” he said. “As technology advances and changes all facets of society, education in particular, we will do as we have always done, which is to lead the way in preparing our students for the future. We are blessed to have a gracious and giving alumni and benefactors who continue to believe strongly in and support our mission as a Catholic school.”

Magruder is a third-generation graduate of Wheeling Central.

“My personal history with CCHS runs deep. … My wife and children are all alumni, as well,” he said. “The main reason I wanted to work here was to give back. Give back to a school that nurtured me and educated me.

“I was so blessed to attend CCHS with an amazing faculty and staff that loved us, supported us and prepared my classmates and me for life. The lessons I learned here have served me well every step of the way in adulthood. I wanted to share some of what I received here as a young person.

“It is a great joy to work every day with our students. It is very fulfilling to be a small part of their lives at such a critical juncture. Many of our faculty and staff are also CCHS alumni.”

Magruder said he wants people to know that Wheeling Central is an “amazing, welcoming community.”

“Our faith-based education prepares our students to go out into the world and be positive influences,” he said. “The majority of our students leave here to go on to a four-year institution of higher learning and they are prepared academically, spiritually and socially.”

“The rigorous academics they have received here will serve them well, regardless of the paths they choose to follow. Most importantly, they leave CCHS as caring, service-oriented individuals who work to impact their communities in positive ways.”

Magruder and his wife, Tami, are both members of the Wheeling Central Class of 1989. They have three children together, Emma, Class of 2019; Alex, Class of 2020; and Luke, who is set to graduate from CCHS this year. The family also has a pet dog, Cooper.

Magruder’s father is Denny Magruder, current mayor of the city of Wheeling and a Wheeling Central Class of 1966 member.