Holland Hall School history

In 1923, an ice rink was built for the use of the students and was instrumental in creating the hockey dynasty for which the College became noted.

The 1924 school catalog reads: “Holland Hall entered the educational field with a distinct mission, that of placing a fully equipped college preparatory school of the highest standing, where each student may receive individual attention, within the reach of any citizen in Tulsa.

Chartered in 1930, Holland Hall has grown from 60 students and eight teachers to over 990 students and 180 faculty and staff.

The school outgrew this facility by 1932, when it moved to a new location.

Although the school was intended to be coeducational from the time of its founding, within a few years it became girls-only at the Upper Level (high school age). In 1959, the school became affiliated with the Episcopal church.

The class of 1963 was dubbed the “fun fifteen” and their all-girl graduation in long white dresses and red carnations marked a graceful transition.

The following year, the class of 1964, 36 students strong, ushered in the new era.

The move to 81st Street began with the Upper Division in 1970.

In 1992, a dwindling school population caused Mercy College to be amalgamated with St Bon’s and thus the College became co-educational K-9.

In 1998, the Province voted for the abolition of the denominational system, the schools were again re-organized and St Bon’s, although still flourishing, became the first Catholic school to be closed in spite of the vehement opposition of the parents.

They received the backing of the Jesuit Order, the Society of Jesus, and in September of the following year, 1999, St Bon’s was re-opened as a separate fee-paying Catholic school with a Jesuit as its President.

The scores of Seniors in the Class of 2007 were comparable to the top 25% of college freshmen who took the exam at the end of their first year of college.

In August 2009 the renovation of the Mary K. Chapman Primary School was completed.