The program, which fulfills the community-service requirements of the district, is designed to provide real-world experience.

As of the 2005–2006 school year, CAHS has offered an International Baccalaureate diploma program for 11th and 12th graders.

However, then Ilg sought and obtained assurances from the Columbus Board of Education that if he could recruit 100 students and funding via outside grants, space would be provided for the school.

CAHS students spent their mornings at Mohawk Elementary and were bussed to their neighborhood schools in the afternoons for science and physical education programs.

In 1980, bolstered by a number of high-profile academic awards and a growing reputation for excellence, requests for enrollment surged, and the school received a $300,000 federal grant, permitting it to expand and become a full-time program.