About
Welcome to Bishop Kelley High School!
If you're new to Bishop Kelley, I invite you to take a few minutes to learn about us. As you explore these pages, it is our hope that you will find the unique spirit of Bishop Kelley that has touched the hearts of students and their families for more than six decades.
Founded in 1960,
Bishop Kelley celebrated 50 years of diocesan, Catholic education in 2010. Today Bishop Kelley is the premier Catholic high school and largest private school in Oklahoma.
Whether reading about our Campus Ministry opportunities
. . .strong and innovative academic curriculum and programs, numerous co-curricular offerings, or the best 5A athletic program in Oklahoma, you will come to understand that this is an exciting community—inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ and St. John Baptist de La Salle.
If you are a parent, student or alumnus
I welcome you to our website. Beyond the normal information available to the general public, you have the ability to log in and utilize our many communication tools: check your student’s grade, register for upcoming events, connect with old classmates, read about important upcoming events, contribute financially to the school, or keep up with classwork and assignments.
If you are a past parent, grandparent
. . .or friend of Bishop Kelley High School, we welcome you, too. Your involvement in our educational efforts is very important, and we welcome your input and participation. While this website is an important tool, nothing will introduce you to the spirit of Bishop Kelley like a visit to our beautiful campus.
History
By combining the student bodies both from Marquette and Holy Family High Schools, Bishop Kelley High School became the co-institutional high school of the diocese in 1960. The Christian Brothers from the St. Louis Province taught the boys, and the Sisters of Divine Providence from San Antonio taught the girls. By 1965, the school had become entirely coeducational.
In 1978, the Diocese of Tulsa sold a portion of land set aside for Bishop Kelley High School. Proceeds from that sale substantially augmented the Bishop Kelley High School Endowment Trust. The school saw its most dramatic changes during the 1980s and 1990s. In 1981 Bishop Kelley High School held its first dinner auction, which has become an annual tradition as the school’s major fund-raiser. After the 1981-82 school year, the Sisters of Divine Providence were reassigned to serve other ministries. The following school year, a fire destroyed a major section of the school, between the “B” and “C” wings of classrooms. The subsequent reconstruction of the “A” building, better known as the Administration Building, began a gradual improvement of the school’s facilities.
Additional changes continue to enhance the spirit of Bishop Kelley.
“Home Field Advantage,” a grassroots fund-raising effort by our alumni in 1997, raised more than a million dollars to help build a football/soccer stadium and athletic complex, plus enhance the baseball and softball fields. In 2000, the former Harmon Science Center became part of the Bishop Kelley landscape. Renovations created 13 new science and technology classrooms to help accommodate Bishop Kelley’s expanding student body, plus a state-of-the-art theater. Smaller, more private fund-raising efforts provided additional, needed improvements.
Subsequent support provided renovations in 2003-2004 to the former “D” building, now called the “Mary, Queen of Peace Building” (MQP). The MQP is a beautiful space that houses the Philanthropy and Business offices, classrooms, and the Brother Bernardine Scholars room.
Athletic Hall of Champions
Later milestones in Bishop Kelley’s history include 2002, when our first lay president/principal was named; 2004, when the Athletic Hall of Fame was created; and 2005, when the “Forever Bishop Kelley” capital campaign began, culminating in 2010 when Bishop Kelley celebrated its 50th anniversary. Also in 2010, the Bishop Kelley community developed a strategic plan and recognized the need to expand endowments, maintain the campus and provide new library and sport/fitness facilities. Technology and security needs were also included. This vision looks 50 years into the future, offering students the opportunity to have excellent academics, quality facilities, extracurricular activities, and a chance to give back to the community through Christian service.
In 2017, the school's annual fund, Believe in Kelley, raised a record $440,174.86 to benefit the students and teacher of Bishop Kelley. Inclusive education was introduced in 2018, and over the next year, the Blessed Stanley Rother Academic Support Program combined this and the iConnect program to provide even more services to students who learn differently. In 2019, Bishop Kelley completed "The Championship Drive," a capital campaign raising $5,334,714.48 for the construction of two new field houses, batting and pitching cages, a permanent weight room, locker rooms, offices for home and visiting coaches, new concession stands, and an expanded stadium with more home seating and a larger press box.
WE ARE BK Capital Campaign
Standing on the shoulders of those who have built Bishop Kelley into what it is today, we now look to the future. Our campus buildings have served us well over the life of the school and now it is time to build upon this foundation. Through the WE ARE BK Capital Campaign, we have reached remarkable milestones by imagining the possibilities for our students and continue to work to make those visions realities.
The New Dining Hall
We strive to nourish our students both spiritually and physically by not only feeding them with the good news of the Gospel, but also by doing all we can to promote healthy choices, lifestyles and life-long habits.
Nearly 12,000 Graduates
Our constant focus and challenge is to offer affordable Catholic education to all families who wish to send their children to Bishop Kelley. Today, with nearly 12,000 graduates, Bishop Kelley has emerged as an outstanding Catholic high school whose graduates are accomplished, contributing members of society.
Bishop Kelley is achieving its mission: to graduate well-educated students who practice the Gospel values of Jesus Christ or, in the words of St. John Baptist de La Salle, “have hearts and minds committed to the service of others, especially the poor.”
