Irish-American Archbishop Francis Kenrick asked the Jesuits to oversee the formation of a school for laymen that would incorporate the Jesuit standards of excellence and build new men conscious of a religious purpose. His request was prompted by the 1852 closure of nearby St. Mary's College. Construction of Loyola High School began on Holliday Street in Baltimore, Maryland, in early 1852, and on September 15, 1852, the school enrolled its first students. Irish-American Rev. John Early, S.J. and eight other Jesuits are credited with the founding of the Loyola.[3][4] Loyola operated as a component of Loyola University Maryland until its separation in 1921.[3]
In the early 1930s the growing and cramped high school began to look toward moving north of the city. In 1933, with the support of the Blake family, Loyola purchased the land known today as Blakefield in Towson, Maryland.[3] In 1941, the downtown campus officially closed.[3] Between 1981 and 1988, a Middle School was gradually introduced, and in recognition of the two levels of education, Loyola High School officially became known as Loyola Blakefield. Kenneth Montague became the first African-American student at Loyola in 1956.[5]
Physical improvements in recent years have included the construction of Knott Hall which houses the student commons and dining hall, athletic center, and alumni areas, Burk Hall academic wing, renovations to the 60-year-old science laboratories, construction of St. Ignatius Hall, and construction of an additional section to Wheeler Hall.[3]
Loyola Blakefield has a tradition of honoring alumni from 50 years earlier at its graduation ceremony. "Bring back the men from 50 years before to see a new generation graduate," writes James Maliszewski, whose grandfather died a year before they could have attended together as 1937 and 1987 graduates.[6]
Academics
Loyola Blakefield follows a curriculum rooted in Jesuit principles, emphasizing critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and the holistic development of students. The school offers a broad range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses in disciplines such as mathematics, science, history, and languages, providing students with the opportunity to earn college credit.[7] In addition, honors-level courses are available for students seeking further academic challenge.[8]
The school also emphasizes the integration of technology into its curriculum, utilizing digital tools and resources to enhance learning.[9] Loyola Blakefield's STEM program is particularly notable, offering courses in robotics, engineering, computer science, and environmental science, alongside opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities such as robotics competitions and science fairs.[10]
In the arts, Loyola Blakefield provides a comprehensive education that includes visual arts, music, and theater. Students have access to facilities such as art studios, music practice rooms, and a theater for performances.[11] The fine arts curriculum encourages creativity and self-expression, with courses ranging from painting and ceramics to choir and digital media production.[12]
Loyola Blakefield is committed to fostering global awareness and cross-cultural understanding through its language offerings, which include Spanish, Italian, classical Greek and Latin.[13] The school has historically offered exchange programs and international study opportunities, enabling students to broaden their perspectives and engage with diverse cultures.
As part of its Jesuit identity, the school integrates service learning into the curriculum, challenging students to apply their academic knowledge to address social issues.[14] Through its rigorous academic programs and commitment to the Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person, Loyola Blakefield aims to prepare students for success in college and beyond.[15]
The Loyola lacrosse program is among its most successful.[citation needed] It has won a total of 14 championships, including 8 in the 1980s and victories in 2001, 2007, 2008, and 2013.[18] In 2007, they defeated Boys' Latin 10–6 in the MIAA championship game. In 2008, they defeated previously undefeated Gilman 12–11 in the championship game at Towson University's Johnny Unitas Stadium before over 8,000 spectators.[19] Loyola has produced numerous players who have continued on to play collegiate lacrosse, including National Lacrosse Hall of Famer John Stewart.[20][21]
Baseball
Loyola's baseball team won the MIAA "A" Conference title in 2017, its first in 71 years.[22] It has produced Major League baseball players including current Baltimore Oriole, Bruce Zimmermann[23] and Tim Nordbrook.[24]
Swimming
Loyola's swimming and diving team has also achieved success, having recorded a record run of 20 Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association state titles in 21 years and six National Catholic Swimming Championships crowns, whilst consistently being ranked within the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association national Top-25 Poll for best high school swimming teams.[25]
The Loyola basketball program reached regional prominence in the 1970s when it was led by head coach Jerry Savage, who won over 600 games from 1969 to 2003.[30] He produced several Division I players. Savage also coached the 1997 MIAA Championship team, the last championship of any sort for the Dons basketball program. Loyola has been in the most Baltimore Catholic League finals with 13 total and 6 championships. More recently, the program had several disappointing seasons and experienced a four-year period with four different head coaches. Since then Josh Davalli, an All-Metro player at Cardinal Gibbons in the mid-1990s, served as varsity head coach while also teaching in the Middle School.
Cross-country
The Loyola cross-country program has had much success, being the first and only team in the MIAA to complete the "three-peat", then continuing to win six consecutive individual and team titles at the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association championship meet. Under the coaching of Jose Albornoz and Chris Cucuzzella, the Dons have won 17 MIAA/MSA championships to bring the program's total championships to 18 (1983,1989,1991,1997–98, 2000, 2003, 2005–06, 2009–14, 2017–18, and 2021) since its inception.[31][32] Current distance event records are held by Matt Jablonski.
Rugby
The Loyola Dons have won the Rugby MIAA Championship a total of nine times: 2008–2010, 2013, 2015–2016, 2018, and 2021–2022.[33][34][35] The rugby program has been ranked among the top 50 high schools in the nation.[36][37]
Ice Hockey
The Loyola Ice Hockey team has won the MIAA Championships a number of times, most recently in the 2022-2023 season.[38] Prior to that they made appearances in the championships in the 2019-2020 season and the 2016 season.
Golf
In 2019, Loyola's golf team captured their first MIAA 'A' Conference team title in over 30 years after defeating archrivals Calvert Hall in the championship match at Caves Valley Golf Club under head coach Mike Messina[39]. In 2023, Brayden DeCapite became Loyola's first individual stroke play champion in over 20 years, sharing the title with Matthew Guy. Loyola's golf program has produced numerous Division I players, who have gone on to compete at such notables as the University of Maryland, Loyola University Maryland, and Villanova University.
Notable alumni
This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. Please improve this article by removing names that do not have independent reliable sources showing they merit inclusion in this article AND are alumni, or by incorporating the relevant publications into the body of the article through appropriate citations.(January 2019)
Loyola was voted Best Private School in the Baltimore Sun's 2022 Readers’ Choice Contest.[45] It is also ranked the number one Catholic High School in the Baltimore Area according to the 2022 Niche rankings.[46] Once again in 2023 Loyola was voted Best Private High School in The Baltimore Sun's Best 2023 Readers' Choice Contest.[47] Loyola was named the 2023 Best Independent School for Boys by Baltimore's Child Magazine.[48][49] In 2024 for the third consecutive year Loyola was ranked the “Best Private School” by the Baltimore Sun.[50]
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