Rockhurst High School

In 1908, Rev. Michael P. Dowling, S.J., wrote to his superiors telling them that he had selected a site at 52nd Street and Troost Avenue for the Jesuit school that was to be built in Kansas City. He called it “Rockhurst,” drawing inspiration from legendary Stonyhurst College in England, because the grounds were stony and a grove of woods nearby inspired him to use the word “hurst.”

The school was officially chartered by the State of Missouri on August 30, 1910. Four years later, on the morning of September 15, 1914, forty-two students enrolled in the freshman and sophomore classes at the new school. Greeted by three Jesuit faculty members, they became the first of thousands of young men to be educated at Rockhurst and graduates of the class of 1917.

The school’s original prospectus defined the education and purpose of The Academy of Rockhurst College as follows: “to turn out young men whose mental faculties have been so developed and formed that they may successfully enter upon the immediate preparation of any career.” The first Jesuit faculty accomplished this by offering a course of classical studies with equal emphasis on moral formation and religious instruction, noting “it is men who are to be trained, not mere minds.” The Academy of Rockhurst College became Rockhurst High School in 1923, though it remained as part of the original corporation that included both the college and the high school.

In 1962, Rockhurst High School became a new and separate corporation when it moved to its present site at 9301 State Line Road. The Robert C. Greenlease family became the high school’s principal benefactor and the name “Greenlease Memorial” was added to the school’s official title.

Rockhurst High School enjoys a national reputation of excellence. “Rockhurst Hawklets” have achieved countless scholastic honors, sports titles, and have consistently contributed in positive ways to the world community in business, government, and social sectors as alumni. With a student body of 1,075, today’s Hawklets are poised to write the next chapter in a storied history of excellence.

Rev. Terrence A. Baum, SJ was named the school’s sixteenth president on February 1, 2004. Under his direction, and through the dedication of alumni, parents, faculty and friends, Rockhurst High School continues to be a place where young students learn to become “men for others” who distinguish themselves for the greater glory of God.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam