Canisius High School

Canisius High School This place is special. Let us show you why. College prep for boys, grades 9-12. All faiths welcome.

Canisius High School, located in the city of Buffalo, is a Catholic, Jesuit, independent, college preparatory school serving young men of diverse backgrounds from Western New York. Canisius challenges its students to strive for excellence as critical thinkers and effective communicators who are open to growth, intellectually competent, religiously oriented, loving, and committed to justice. Canisi

us promotes the development of students through a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum firmly rooted in the Jesuit tradition of education, spirituality and service. Faithful to St.Ignatius Loyola’s desire to provide care and concern for the whole person, Canisius affords each member of the school community the opportunity to develop individual talents for the service of others and the greater glory of God.

On Day One of Year 157 at CHS, President Fr. David Ciancimino, S.J., offered a good morning greeting – and a fist bump o...
09/08/2026

On Day One of Year 157 at CHS, President Fr. David Ciancimino, S.J., offered a good morning greeting – and a fist bump or a handshake – to students as they walked through the Blue Doors to start this 2026-27 academic year.

Families captured some first-day photos while our faculty and staff welcomed students throughout campus.

The first morning announcements included a welcome and a prayer by Assistant to the President Fr. Richard Zanoni, S.J., who prayed the Hail Mary to honor today’s Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which celebrates the birth of Mother Mary.

For the first of many times this school year, the prayer concluded with: "St. Ignatius Loyola, pray for us … St. Peter Canisius, pray for us.”

Zanoni then asked the students to offer a tribute and a thank-you to their mothers today.



Students and families interested in the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as the Buffalo area’s “Best Catholic School” by Buffalo Business First – can learn more by reserving a spot for our Open House on Sunday, Oct. 18 or Monday, Oct. 19 via canisiushigh.org/openhouse

This place is special. Let us show you why.


09/08/2026

A decades-long tradition continued as the Class of 2030 walked through our Blue Doors for the first time – to several minutes of applause from faculty, staff and upperclassmen.

Students and families interested in the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as the Buffalo area’s “Best Catholic School” by Buffalo Business First – can learn more by reserving a spot for our Open House on Sunday, Oct. 18 or Monday, Oct. 19 via canisiushigh.org/openhouse   

This place is special. Let us show you why.


Our Class of 2030 learned which part of the CHS House System they belong to when they each were welcomed by students and...
09/07/2026

Our Class of 2030 learned which part of the CHS House System they belong to when they each were welcomed by students and faculty after their names were announced at a raucous 2025 CHS House Induction Ceremony.

Student and faculty representatives from all six houses wore their colors – among other fun items – in Scaccia Auditorium as teacher (and Campion Head of House, and virtuoso public address announcer) Bryce Hopkins ’08 announced the new House members.

The houses named after prominent Jesuits and each have a main color: St. Ignatius Loyola (purple), St. Isaac Jogues (green), St. Aloysius Gonzaga (blue), Pedro Arrupe (yellow), St. Edmund Campion (red) and St. Francis Xavier (orange).

These outstanding images are by CHS Digital Media photographer Dean Gracie ’27 (Dean Gracie).

The competition, brotherhood and camaraderie of the pioneering CHS House System carry through students’ four years.

The houses provide an additional infrastructure of smaller communities within our larger school community and helps build stronger bonds and connections between students throughout all four grades as well as with the faculty.

Our houses also offer leadership opportunities – the freshmen who were welcomed today will go on to help organize and hold this ceremony in future years.

Students and families interested in the CHS House System and the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as the Buffalo area’s “Best Catholic School” by Buffalo Business First – can learn more by reserving a spot for our Open House on Sunday, Oct. 18 or Monday, Oct. 19 via canisiushigh.org/openhouse   

This place is special. Let us show you why.


Our Class of 2030 was welcomed into 1180 Delaware Ave. Thursday morning at the traditional walk through the Blue Doors, ...
09/06/2026

Our Class of 2030 was welcomed into 1180 Delaware Ave. Thursday morning at the traditional walk through the Blue Doors, with faculty and staff applauding the entrance of the freshmen and transfer students.

The newest members of our community entered our Higgins Hall foyer and into Scaccia Auditorium, where they heard from President Fr. David Ciancimino, S.J., Principal Tom Coppola ’01, Assistant Principal Jeanne Whittington and Dean of Students Michael Gabriele ’16 before moving on to their Orientation Day.

Students and families interested in the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as the Buffalo area’s “Best Catholic School” by Buffalo Business First – can learn more by reserving a spot for our Open House on Sunday, Oct. 18 or Monday, Oct. 19 via canisiushigh.org/openhouse   

This place is special. Let us show you why.


Here are just some of the memorable images from a very memorable start to the season for CHS Football. Elijah Kimble ‘27...
09/06/2026

Here are just some of the memorable images from a very memorable start to the season for CHS Football. 

Elijah Kimble ‘27 ran for four touchdowns and moved into third place on the all-time Western New York rushing list as CHS opened 2026 with a resounding 41-14 victory over Health Sciences, one of Section VI’s strongest programs. 

The outstanding season-opening Dick Gallagher Kickoff Classic presented by WNY Athletics saw some of the top public and private programs meet at the University at Buffalo on Friday and SUNY Erie North in Amherst on Saturday. 

Canisius took a 28-0 halftime lead as Kimble had three rushing touchdowns, several pass completions and a momentum-changing interception on defense, part of an all-around excellent game for the Crusaders (and the Canisius HS Blue Crew).

Kimble, who won last year’s Connolly Cup as Western New York’s most outstanding player and committed to Syracuse University this summer, entered this season with career totals of 5,325 yards and 77 touchdowns. 

Those totals had him at No. 4 on Western New York’s all-time rushing list and No. 6 on the all-time touchdowns list. The leader in both categories is 2002 Connolly Cup winner Jehuu Caulcrick of Clymer (6,559 yards, 101 TDs).

Canisius plays at Massillon, the top-ranked team in Ohio, in its Week Two matchup on Friday night. 

Follow CHS Football and all Crusader teams at canisiussports.com

Students and families interested in CHS Football and the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked by Buffalo Business First as the Buffalo area’s “Best Catholic School” and WNY’s top private school in “Best High Schools for Athletes” – can learn more by reserving a spot for our Open House on Sunday, Oct. 18 or Monday, Oct. 19 via canisiushigh.org/openhouse   

This place is special. Let us show you why.


09/06/2026

FINAL in the DICK GALLAGHER KICKOFF CLASSIC: Canisius HS Football 41, Health Sciences 14. 

Elijah Kimble ‘27 ran for four touchdowns – including this electric, 76-yarder – and moved into third place on the all-time Western New York rushing list as CHS opened its 2026 season with a resounding victory over one of Section VI’s strongest programs. 

The outstanding season-opening Dick Gallagher Kickoff Classic presented by WNY Athletics saw some of the top public and private programs meet at the University at Buffalo on Friday and SUNY Erie North in Amherst on Saturday. 

Canisius took a 28-0 halftime lead over Section VI power Health Sciences – which went 10-1 last year as the Section VI Class A runner-up – as Kimble had three rushing touchdowns, several pass completions and a momentum-changing interception on defense. 

Kimble, who won last year’s Connolly Cup as Western New York’s most outstanding player and committed to Syracuse University this summer, entered this season with career totals of 5,325 yards and 77 touchdowns. 

Those totals had him at No. 4 on Western New York’s all-time rushing list and No. 6 on the all-time touchdowns list. The leader in both categories is 2002 Connolly Cup winner Jehuu Caulcrick of Clymer (6,559 yards, 101 TDs).

Canisius plays at Massillon, the top-ranked team in Ohio, in its Week Two matchup on Friday night. 

Follow CHS Football and all Crusader teams at canisiussports.com

Students and families interested in CHS Football and the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked by Buffalo Business First as the Buffalo area’s “Best Catholic School” and WNY’s top private school in “Best High Schools for Athletes” – can learn more by reserving a spot for our Open House on Sunday, Oct. 18 or Monday, Oct. 19 via canisiushigh.org/openhouse   

This place is special. Let us show you why.


09/04/2026

And now, 24 hours before they kick off their 2026 season, here are your CHS Football Crusaders, from hometowns across Western New York (and beyond) …

Coach Kraig Kurzanski ’84 and the Crusaders open their campaign at 6 p.m. Saturday in ’ outstanding Dick Gallagher Kickoff Classic as they take on Section VI power Health Sciences at SUNY Erie North in Amherst.

Check out more on CHS Sports all season at canisiussports.com

Students and families interested in the CHS Football and the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as the Buffalo area’s “Best Catholic School” by Buffalo Business First – can learn more by reserving a spot for our Open House on Sunday, Oct. 18 or Monday, Oct. 19 via canisiushigh.org/openhouse

This place is special. Let us show you why.

 

09/03/2026

“We are all here to help you.”

Our Class of 2030 was welcomed into 1180 Delaware Ave. Thursday morning at the traditional walk through the Blue Doors, with faculty and staff applauding the entrance of the freshmen and transfer students.

The newest members of our community entered our Higgins Hall foyer and into Scaccia Auditorium, where they heard from Principal Tom Coppola ’01.

The newcomers also heard from President Fr. David Ciancimino, S.J., Assistant Principal Jeanne Whittington and Dean of Students Michael Gabriele ’16 before moving on to their Orientation Day.

Students and families interested in the CHS House System and the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as the Buffalo area’s “Best Catholic School” by Buffalo Business First – can learn more by reserving a spot for our Open House on Sunday, Oct. 18 or Monday, Oct. 19 via canisiushigh.org/openhouse   

This place is special. Let us show you why.


09/02/2026

“Today marks a beginning of a journey, but it is not a journey that you take alone. 

“Look around and you see a community that joins you on that journey. Today we sort into one of six houses: Arrupe, Campion, Jogues, Gonzaga, Loyola and Xavier.”

Our Class of 2030 learned which part of the CHS House System they will belong to Wednesday when teacher (and Campion Head of House, and virtuoso public address announcer) Bryce Hopkins ’08 welcomed each of them over the Scaccia Auditorium sound system of the at a raucous 2025 CHS House Induction Ceremony.

Student and faculty representatives from all six houses wore their colors – among other fun items – as the new members joined the houses named after prominent Jesuits: St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Isaac Jogues, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Pedro Arrupe, St. Edmund Campion and St. Francis Xavier.

The competition, brotherhood and camaraderie of the pioneering CHS House System carry through students’ four years. The houses provide an additional infrastructure of smaller communities within our larger school community and helps build stronger bonds and connections between students throughout all four grades as well as with the faculty.

Our houses also offer leadership opportunities – the freshmen who were welcomed today will go on to help organize and hold this ceremony in future years.

Students and families interested in the CHS House System and the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as the Buffalo area’s “Best Catholic School” by Buffalo Business First – can learn more by reserving a spot for our Open House on Sunday, Oct. 18 or Monday, Oct. 19 via canisiushigh.org/openhouse   

This place is special. Let us show you why.


During our 156th Commencement Exercises, an early portion of the ceremony was dedicated to special graduation honors, in...
09/01/2026

During our 156th Commencement Exercises, an early portion of the ceremony was dedicated to special graduation honors, including a very special award to a very special recipient.

The Rev. Thomas M. Harvey, S.J. Memorial Award is a Canisius High School honor bestowed upon Jesuits who have served 25 years or more at Jesuit high schools in our USA East Province of the Society of Jesus.

This year, the award was given to President Fr. David Ciancimino, S.J., who has served as principal at CHS, is in his 12th year as president, and has been one of the most transformational leaders in the history of Canisius High School.

The presentation was made by Principal Tom Coppola ’01 and Board of Trustees Chair Pete Augustine ’83.

Coppola’s words during the ceremony:

"True to their vow of obedience – accepting assignments whenever and wherever needed – Jesuits rarely work in a high school long enough to be awarded the Bene Merenti Award for 20 consecutive years of service in a high school.

"In the 1970-71 academic year, Canisius High School marked its 100th anniversary. In November of that same year, a much beloved Jesuit on staff at Canisius, Father Thomas Harvey, passed away.

"It was decided to honor the memory of Father Harvey by creating an award unique to Canisius which recognizes Jesuits on staff who have served 25 years or more at Jesuit high schools throughout our province.

"In 1970, three jesuits were so honored, few since then and the last one in the year 2000.

"Today, once again Canisius wishes to honor a Jesuit who has served in Jesuit high schools for more than 25 years.

"And he has done so both at Xavier High School in New York City and here at Canisius.

"Our recipient is well known in the Buffalo community. He has served here as a teacher, admission director, principal, and presently as our president.

"In all of this, he has become and will continue to be, one of the most transformational leaders our community has ever had. His door is always open to staff and students alike; he is an expert and successful administrator with a compassionate heart of a pastor.

"We know him as Father C, someone who cares.

"It is with deep gratitude and respect for more than 25 years of service in Jesuit secondary education, the Rev. Thomas M. Harvey award is bestowed upon Rev. David S. Ciancimino of the Society of Jesus.”

Throughout this summer, we have occasionally looked back at this most special day for CHS and the Class of 2026.

Students and families interested in the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as the Buffalo area’s “Best Catholic School” by Buffalo Business First – can learn more by reserving a spot for our Open House on Sunday, Oct. 18 or Monday, Oct. 19 via canisiushigh.org/openhouse

This place is special. Let us show you why.


Address

1180 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY
14209

Telephone

+17168820466

Website

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