McGill–Toolen Catholic High School

McGill–Toolen Catholic High School
Address
1501 Old Shell Road
Mobile, Alabama
United States
Coordinates 30°41′21″N 88°04′18″W / 30.68917°N 88.07167°W / 30.68917; -88.07167Coordinates: 30°41′21″N 88°04′18″W / 30.68917°N 88.07167°W / 30.68917; -88.07167
Information
Type Private / Coeducational / Secondary
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established 1896 (McGill Institute)
1928 (Toolen School)
1973 (merger)
President Rev. W. Bry Shields, Jr.
Principal Michelle Haas
Chaplain Rev. Dan Goode
Grades 9–12
Enrollment ~1200 (2015)
Color(s) Black & Orange         
Mascot Yellow Jacket
Accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools [1]
Affiliation National Catholic Educational Association [2]
Website mcgill-toolen.org

McGill–Toolen Catholic High School, located in Mobile, Alabama, is a private co-educational high school operated by the educational system of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile.

History

McGill Institute was founded in 1896 by Arthur McGill and his brother, Felix McGill, as a free school for boys. In 1928, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart took over the administration the school. They continue to serve on the faculty of the school today. The original McGill Institute building was located on Government Street, in downtown Mobile. In 1952, the school moved to Old Shell Road, across the street from Bishop Toolen School for Girls. Bishop Toolen School for Girls was founded in 1928, by Bishop Thomas J. Toolen, and was administered by the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross until it merged with McGill Institute in 1972 to form the co-educational school known today as McGill–Toolen Catholic High School.

The original McGill Institute building, demolished in 1955.

In December 2007, the Mobile Register reported that supporters of the school have raised $10.3 million to renovate the campus and add a new science building and student center. The science facility was opened in the Fall of 2009, offering a great improvement over previous accommodations, granting every science teacher their own classroom and lab space. The student center will be a two-story building fronting Lafayette Street and including a new cafeteria, chapel and student plaza. It is scheduled for completion in 2016.

Sports and traditions

McGill–Toolen is sometimes called "McT", for short. The school colors are orange and black, and the mascot is a yellowjacket. In 2006, the McGill–Toolen varsity football team became the 6A Region 1 Champions for the first time in thirty years, by defeating its long-time rival, Murphy High School. The football team repeated in 2007 as the 6A Region 1 Champs. During the regular season the team also managed to obtain a perfect 10–0 record. They advanced to the semifinals of the 2007 playoffs before falling to Prattville High School with a final record of 13–1. In October 2007 the school announced the construction of a football stadium at the Archbishop Lipscomb Sports Complex. The stadium had been completed in time for the 2008 season moving McGill from their longtime home field of Ladd Peebles Stadium. Davidson High School, being close to the newly constructed field, asked McGill if they could also play on the field. Due to odd circumstances in the 2008 season McGill Toolen Catholic played against Davidson High School as the away team.

In 2015, McGill–Toolen Football Team became the Alabama 7A State Champions.

In 2016, McGill–Toolen Men's Basketball Team became the Alabama 7A State Champions.

McT Band

Established in 1896, The McGill-Toolen High School Band is one of Alabama’s oldest musical organizations. The McT Band has a proud tradition of excellence throughout its history. The band performs at football games, marching festivals, school pep rallies, assemblies, mass, parades, concert festivals, and performs several concerts throughout the school year. Making up the band program at McGill is the Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Color Guard, and Winter Guard.

In 2009, the band moved into their new band hall. Through the support of the school administration and generous donations from band alumni the band received a new home. The band room was dedicated and named after the biggest supporter of the McT Band and long time director of the Prep Band Program - Charles “Buddy” Porter.

The band is currently under the direction of Sean C. Noah. Since his arrival, the support of the administration, and Prep Band Directors the band is largest and most successful since its inception in 1896. The McT Band has earned consistent Superior ratings in marching competitions and Superior with Distinction at Alabama Music Performance Assessment. The band has also traveled and performed in - Mexico, Italy, Chicago, and Ireland. On April 23, 2016 the McGill–Toolen Catholic High School Band traveled to New York City and made their Carnegie Hall premier performance. The band has plans to travel again in 2018 and return to Europe in 2020.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ AdvancED. "AdvancED – Find Accredited Institutions". Retrieved 2015-09-24.
  2. ↑ NCEA. "NCEA School Locator". Retrieved 2015-09-24.
  3. ↑ "50 Quincy Davis". Tulane Green Wave Official Athletic Site. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  4. ↑ "American basketball player applies for citizenship renunciation". Focus Taiwan. 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
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