It was established in 1921 by Archbishop John Mark Gannon and is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie.

On Friday, August 12, 1921, Bishop John Mark Gannon summoned the pastors of Erie's twelve parishes to meet to discuss the "lack of Catholic education for high school boys in the city."

"Many Catholics," he claimed, "although highly intelligent and deserving, were denied the chance to receive a preparatory education because they were poor."

[6] Students must take courses in English, history, mathematics, religion, foreign languages, and science and are also required to complete 100 hours of community service.

On September 10, 2010, it officially opened the Hagerty Family Events Center, a new athletic complex for football.