Boston College High School

In 1863, the Massachusetts House and Senate passed an Act to incorporate Boston College High School, marking the beginning of a long and illustrious history for the school.

Twenty two pioneering students ranging in age from 11 to 16 years of age enrolled that first year in a curriculum of rudiments (Latin and Greek) and humanities (philosophy and theology).

Made possible by the determination and vision of Rev. John McElroy, S.J., the new school offered to "educate the pupils in the principles and practice of the Catholic faith; but the profession of that religion will not be a necessary condition for admission."

Rev. John Bapst, S.J. was selected first president of the school. Boston College High's first home was on Harrison Avenue and James Street in Boston's South End.

The school continued to grow and by the turn of the century enrollment was close to 500. The first half of the twentieth century was an exciting period of growth and change for Boston College High. The college moved to Chestnut Hill in 1913 and in 1927, Boston College High became separately incorporated.

In 1948, Rev. Robert A. Hewitt, S.J. purchased 70 acres on Columbia Point for $240,000. This site would be the new home of Boston College High and would realize Father Hewitt's vision of "a modern high school with a full range of scholastic facilities, including science laboratories, and a library; the necessary ecclesiastical facilities, including a Jesuit faculty residence and a church; a wide range of athletic facilities, including a gymnasium, field house, and outdoor areas for a variety of sports, both interscholastic and intramural, and areas for general recreation, faculty walks, parking and campus landscaping."

In 1950, McElroy Hall opened its doors to 600 juniors and seniors. The entire student body moved to the new campus by 1954 but members of the Jesuit Community remained at the James Street Residence.

In 1957, Loyola Hall, the Jesuit residence, was completed and in 1965 the Walsh Hall Science Center was dedicated. In 1975 the Student Training, Athletic and Recreation Complex (S.T.A.R.) was dedicated and, following the completion of a successful $3,000,000 capital campaign, the school dedicated the 37,000 square foot multi-use McNeice Pavilion in 1988.

In 1997, the Corcoran Library was dedicated, a fully automated and networked reading, study and research center occupying the first floor of Cushing Hall and encompassing approximately 11,000 sq/ft and housing over 18,000 volumes.

In October 2003, President William J. Kemeza — the school's first lay president — announced the largest construction project in the school's history, including a 63,000 sq/ft addition, calling it "a renaissance, a new birth, a new affirmation of our commitment to academic excellence."

Today, Boston College High continues to pride itself and boast about its 140-year tradition of forming young men into leaders for the Catholic Church and the world.