Mission, Inclusion & History

One of our foundational beliefs at a Xaverian Brothers school is that we were all “created by the God of love in God's image and according to God's likeness, to be a unique expression of that love."

This conviction serves as our guiding principle as we continue our efforts to grow with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion at Malden Catholic. With humility in our hearts and a fervent zeal for this important work, we strive toward a brighter and more just future for all. 
 
At Malden Catholic, we believe... 

• We are created in God’s image and are called to be unique expressions of God’s love.  
• We live with trust knowing that we are all endowed with dignity and worthy of respect.  
• We embody humility by recognizing our own giftedness and the gifts of others.  
• We value simplicity by choosing to learn from and stand with the poor, the weak, and the oppressed. 
• We show compassion by accompanying others through life’s challenges and joys.  
• We live with zeal by working for peace and justice in our community and throughout the world.  
• We learn from the blessing of diversity in our community members.  
• We listen with acceptance and dialogue with openness, learning from each other’s life experiences.  
• We are a band of brothers and sisters; we are known, loved, and valued.  

The growth of our diverse school community includes students from multiple different countries who speak several different languages and represent various cultures, ethnicities and nationalities. It is our shared goal to build authentic relationships with one another as we live out the Xaverian Brother’s mission with fidelity. We also strive to make our students feel seen, valued and loved as they embark on their academic journey towards excellence.

The Dean of Community, Culture, and Equity at Malden Catholic helps our school community move forward with intentionality to become an equitable institution that prioritizes inclusion, access and representation for all students and families. The position also advances our community efforts and facilitates student voices around topics of diversity, equity and inclusion through the student Diversity and Inclusion Council. 

The CCE Committee also plays a pivotal role in the development of the strategic initiatives for the academic school year which includes opportunities to celebrate different ethnic cultures with parents and our school community at large.

In 1932, the Right Reverend Richard Neagle, Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish of Malden and Medford, wrote to Brother Osmund, C.F.X., Provincial of the Xaverian Brothers, requesting Brothers to teach in the new Boys' Catholic High School he was establishing to complement the work already begun by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in the grammar school and Girls' High School. In response to this request, two first year classes were opened by founding Principal, Brother Gilbert, assisted by Brother Baptist, and in 1936, the first commencement exercises were held. Over a thirty-five year period Boys' Catholic High School (or "Malden Catholic" as it was called) established a reputation for excellence in academics and athletics. The success of the small school on Highland Avenue can be attributed the dedication of the Xaverian Brothers and the lay teachers, the support of loving and sacrificing parents, and the efforts of the students themselves. When the parish school closed its doors in 1968, its Principal, Brother Robertus, was the seventh successor of Brother Gilbert.

Malden Catholic was re-dedicated in response to a request by Richard Cardinal Cushing, Archbishop of Boston, that the Xaverian Brothers of the St. Joseph Province establish this larger, regional high school to expand the mission that the Brothers had begun in 1932. On August 22, 1968, Malden Catholic moved across town to its present site on Crystal Street. This state-of-the-art facility, built for 800 students, featured a TV studio, air-conditioning, and electrical co-generation capability. Thirty classrooms, a gymnasium, auditorium, cafeteria, three science laboratories, and two computer rooms provided for excellence in a college preparatory curriculum.

In January, 1999, Malden Catholic was named as one of the "Outstanding American High Schools" by U.S. News & World Report. In 2006, MC was named as the only high school in the state of Massachusetts to the 2006 Catholic HS Honor Roll.

Several improvements to the school's athletic facilities have been made in recent years. A new weight training facility opened in 2000 and was fully renovated in 2016. The Gerard and Marilyn Doherty Gymnasium was rededicated in 2001. In 2003, the famous Brother Gilbert Memorial Stadium and the Brother Myles McManus Track were totally reconstructed, and the state-of-the-art field was dedicated to the memory of alumnus James F. Donovan '37. In 2006, the school received a new, identifiable "face" as the front entrance, lobby and dining hall were renovated to improve the student experience.

In 2014, on the heels of the successful Essential Campaign, the academic facilities at Malden Catholic saw two substantial upgrades: the Joseph J. O'Donnell '62 Science Center and the Joseph J. O'Donnell '62 Learning Commons. As a result, today's Malden Catholic students now benefit from state-of-the-art facilities for STEM exploration and library research. In 2015, a new turf field was installed at Brother Gilbert Memorial Stadium.

In April 2017, Malden Catholic announced the establishment of the Malden Catholic Girls Division. In preparation for its launch, Malden Catholic commenced a 30,000 sq. ft. renovation of the former Bro. Gilbert Center, which was completed in February 2018. The Girls Division welcomed its inaugural ninth grade class of young women in September 2018 and the first class of girls graduated in 2022.