Spotlight On: Jason Longoria, President, Central Catholic High School
February 2025 — Invest: sat down with Jason Longoria, president of Central Catholic High School, to discuss the school’s recent milestones, challenges, and future plans, highlighting its innovative “House” system, integration of technology in education, and commitment to student well-being.
Looking back over the past year, what have been some of the most significant milestones and achievements for your school?
Over the past year, one of the most significant milestones has been the implementation of our new House System. The easiest way to describe it is by thinking of Harry Potter — students are organized into different houses and compete for a unified championship cup based on academic success, athletics, student organizations, service hours, and more.
At a 170-year-old institution, being the first to introduce something new is rare and always a challenge. Initially, people were unsure about how it would impact our strong sense of brotherhood — we are an all-male school with 538 young men, hoping to reach 570 next year. Some wondered if the House system would weaken that bond, but I firmly believe it has strengthened it tremendously.
When you’re a freshman, you often feel disconnected from upperclassmen. Traditionally, freshmen avoid interacting with seniors and juniors. But now, within a house of around 110–120 students spanning all grade levels, students are working together naturally. It fosters mentorship, collaboration, and camaraderie without feeling forced.
Though we have five houses, we remain one brotherhood, united by our mission to enhance the educational experience at Central Catholic High School. Successfully launching and integrating this system has been one of our biggest accomplishments this year.
If I had to name another major achievement, I’d highlight our strategic planning. We’re laying the foundation for the next phase of our school’s development. In just seven years, we will celebrate 100 years in our current location, and 180 since our founding in San Antonio. To prepare for this milestone, we’ve launched a strategic plan focused on capital projects, increasing donor engagement, and strengthening alumni connections, all while continuing to produce top-tier young men who will become future leaders in our city.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in implementing the House System?
I think the biggest challenge is simply the fear of the unknown. In life, uncertainty always creates anxiety, but people look to leadership, whether it’s school administrators, teachers, or coaches, to reassure them that everything will be okay.
We prioritize transparency and open communication. Our approach is to consistently reassure students, parents, and staff that we have a clear vision and a solid plan. Trust isn’t built overnight, it takes time, shared experiences, and tangible results. Fortunately, we’ve cultivated a strong sense of trust within our community through honesty, transparency, and accessibility. Parents feel comfortable coming to us with questions, and we maintain an open dialogue.
Another key aspect of our school culture is ensuring that every student feels like they belong to something. No student should go unnoticed. Our teachers and staff actively identify students who may not yet be involved in a group, club, or activity. For example, if a student expresses an interest in gaming, we encourage them to explore our esports program, which has evolved into a varsity-level sport.
Esports is a rapidly growing field, with universities now offering scholarships for it. We were one of the first high schools in Texas to recognize esports as a varsity sport. Our team has won both the spring and fall TAPPS State Championships for Fortnite. While some may not be familiar with the game, it provides students with valuable teamwork, leadership, and strategic planning skills. By supporting their interests, we help them translate their passion into leadership opportunities, preparing them for college and beyond.
How do you think technology is shaping the future of education, both in San Antonio and at your school?
I was discussing this with a parent who was asking how we are combating the growing use of AI in schools, and my response was: We’re not trying to fight its use. We’re leaning into it. Forty years ago, people were probably asking, “What do we do about these calculators? They’re getting smaller; students can sneak them in!” But what did our Marianist teachers at Central Catholic do? They adapted. They started teaching students how to use calculators effectively. The same thing happened with computers: When computer programming became more accessible, our school was one of the first in Texas to offer a computer programming class.
Fear comes from the unknown. Our job as educators is to research, adapt, and integrate new technology into our teaching methods. One of our core Marianist values is teaching how to adapt and embrace change — new times call for new methods.
That’s why we’re proactively incorporating the use of AI into education. We’ve provided professional development for teachers on how to detect AI-generated work and how to guide students in using AI ethically. Instead of simply generating an essay on Shakespeare, students can use AI to enhance their understanding, refine their writing, and develop critical thinking skills. Just as we once used CliffsNotes as a study aid without relying on them entirely, AI should be treated as a tool for efficiency, not a substitute for intellectual effort.
By teaching students how to use AI responsibly, we ensure they develop the skills that will set them apart as future leaders.
Beyond technology, are there other curriculum changes or initiatives you’re excited about implementing in the coming years?
One of our biggest curriculum enhancements is continuing to provide emphasis on students’ overall mental well-being.
At Central Catholic, we’re not just about academic excellence, we take a holistic approach to student success. We recognize that students today face immense pressures socially and academically. Our goal isn’t just to produce high-achieving graduates but to develop well-rounded individuals who thrive mentally, emotionally, and socially.
To support this, we’ve integrated mental health education into our curriculum and athletic principles. We teach students how to ask meaningful questions, actively listen, and support their peers. For example, instead of casually asking, how are you? And accepting a simple “good” as a response, we encourage students to engage more deeply: How has life been treating you lately?
We’ve also brought in speakers and provided mental health first-aid training to help students understand how to respond when someone is struggling. If a friend admits they’re having a tough time, we don’t want our students to brush it off by saying it’ll get better. We want them to ask if the friend wants to talk about it, or to ask, How can I support you?
This training isn’t just for students. We provide professional development for teachers, coaches, and staff so that everyone on campus can play a role in supporting student well-being. By creating a culture of openness and trust, we’re ensuring that every student has a support system.
What are your top priorities for the next two to three years to continue growing the school while maintaining student success and safety?
Our main priority is growth, both in enrollment and in maintaining our culture.
The educational landscape is always shifting, with new policies, school choice initiatives, and external pressures. But Central Catholic has thrived for 170-plus years because we stay true to our core five Marianist pillars. While our methods evolve, our mission remains unchanged.
As we approach our 100-year anniversary at this location, we’re focused on strategic planning, facility enhancements, donor engagement, and alumni involvement. But most importantly, we’re committed to continuing our tradition of developing humble servant leaders who give back to their communities, whether in public service, business, or other fields.
That’s what has kept us strong for nearly two centuries, and that’s what will ensure we remain a pillar of education for generations to come.
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