Bishop Kelley High School Celebrates the Successful Completion of $25 Million Capital Campaign
March 4, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TULSA, OK – March 4, 2025 –
Bishop Kelley School is thrilled to announce the successful completion of its $25 million capital campaign, the We Are BK: Honoring our Legacy, Building our Future, raising an impressive total of $25,128,667. This extraordinary achievement marks a significant milestone for the school and reflects the unwavering support from its alumni, parents, grandparents, and community members.
The campaign officially concluded on Friday, February 28, 2025, after landing the final five-year pledge. This remarkable accomplishment surpasses all previous fundraising efforts, including the Forever Bishop Kelley Campaign
which raised $6.4 million in 2006, and the Championship Drive
stadium renovation project, which raised $8.2 million. The overwhelming success of this campaign is a testament to the strength of the Bishop Kelley community and its commitment to the school's mission and future.
Campaign Journey:
The We Are BK Capital Campaign
began in December 2019 during its silent phase when Very Reverend Fr. Gary Kastl, then-President of Bishop Kelley, secured a generous $3 million pledge that helped kick off the campaign. Less than three months later, the global pandemic forced the world into lockdown, halting in-person meetings and altering the course of fundraising efforts. Despite these challenges, the campaign persevered, thanks to the relentless efforts of Doug Thomas, Bishop Kelley’s Director of Philanthropy, and the school’s Philanthropy Team, as well as the dedication of the Campaign Steering Committee.
Now, just over five years after its inception, Bishop Kelley has successfully surpassed its original fundraising goal, securing essential funding to support the school’s future growth and impact.
Gratitude for Leadership and Support
The school extends its deepest gratitude to the Campaign Co-Chairs, Beth and Randall Snapp, for their exceptional leadership. Their tireless dedication, professionalism, and personal engagement with both new and longtime donors played an instrumental role in this campaign’s success. BK President Sister Mary Hanah Doak, RSM, went on to say, “From writing heartfelt thank-you notes to attending campus meetings and checking in with regular phone calls and texts, Beth and Randall were key to bringing this vision to life.”
The Snapps echoed that sentiment, saying “The campaign's success would not have been possible without the hard work and generosity of the donors who made this campaign a priority. Each individual and family who gave their time, resources, and support played a vital role in ensuring the school's future growth and success.”
A Bright Future Ahead:
The funds raised through the We Are BK Capital Campaign
play a crucial role in enhancing the student experience at Bishop Kelley, supporting academic excellence, facility improvements, and continued growth in the school’s endowments. The success of this campaign ensures that Bishop Kelley will continue to be a beacon of academic and spiritual formation for generations to come.
“We are truly humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support from our community,” said Doug Thomas, Director of Philanthropy. “This campaign has shown that when we come together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve for Bishop Kelley. We are excited for the future and all the wonderful things we will continue to accomplish with the help of our generous donors.”
For more information about the We Are BK Capital Campaign
or how to get involved with Bishop Kelley, please visit our website at www.bishopkelley.org
or contact the Philanthropy Department at philanthropy@bishopkelley.org.
About Bishop Kelley School
Bishop Kelley School is a Catholic diocesan high school located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which focuses on preparing students' hearts and minds for a purposeful life, for college and beyond. Founded in 1960, the school offers a rigorous academic curriculum, a wide range of extracurricular activities, and a deep commitment to spiritual formation. Bishop Kelley strives to educate the whole person, empowering students to become responsible, faith-filled leaders in their communities.
Media Contact:
Candace Maggard
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Bishop Kelley High School
Phone: (918) 609-7143
Email: cmaggard@bishopkelley.org
Website: www.bishopkelley.org
Bishop Kelley High School was recently named to the Gold Advanced Placement Honor Roll by the College Board . The AP Honor Roll program works to acknowledge schools around the United States that help students achieve excellence while maintaining broad access to challenging curriculum. According to the College Board, Honor Roll schools, “Reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, maximizing college readiness.” The award also recognizes the broad access to advanced classes especially for students in underrepresented populations. The AP Honor Roll distinguished schools in three main areas: college culture, college credit and college optimization. Seventy-two percent of Bishop Kelley students in the Class of 2025 took at least one AP class and test during their time at the school. Fifty-eight percent earned college credit by scoring at least a “3” on one AP test and thirteen percent of the class took at least five AP tests through their four years of high school. All three of these indicators show an increase from previous years for Bishop Kelley. Two hundred and fifty-seven Bishop Kelley students took a record six hundred and twenty-six Advanced Placement (AP) tests in May, 2025 with an extraordinary 85% scoring “3” or higher. Nineteen percent of Bishop Kelley test takers scored the highest possible “5” on their exams, the equivalent of “Extremely Well Qualified” according to the College Board which administers the international testing. A “5” equates to an A+ or A in college level classes. Internationally, only 9% of all tests earn a “5” score. Another thirty-six percent of Bishop Kelley students scored at the second highest tier, a “4,” equal to ”Very well Qualified,” a level only achieved by twenty percent of all testers. The record number of exams for Bishop Kelley students cover a wide range of disciplines including science, math, English, social studies, fine arts, world languages and business. The largest number of tests for Bishop Kelley students included one hundred and thirteen AP English Language and Composition students, followed by eighty-six students who took the AP United States Government test, and seventy-one who took the AP United States History exam. Bishop Kelley students scored the highest average on the second-year AP Precalculus exam with a school mean score of 4.6, followed by AP Physics I with a mean score of 4.3. In the 2024-2025 school year, Bishop Kelley offered AP tests in twenty-four different subject areas. The Advanced Placement program is sponsored by the College Board. Research has proven that students who take AP classes are more likely to enroll in and complete four-year colleges.
Click here for 2025-2026 Q2 A Honor Roll Click here for 2025-2026 Q2 B Honor Roll Stellar work, Comets!
