A Roman Catholic High School for Boys had been established in 1890 at Broad and Vine streets through the philanthropy of Thomas E. Cahill, a Philadelphia merchant-entrepreneur.
“There is an urgent need for the establishment in the City of Philadelphia of a Catholic High School for girls,” stated Father John W. Shanahan as found in the First Annual Report of the Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for the year ending June 30, 1895.
[2] The dream was realized in 1908, the centennial year of the diocese, when a devout Catholic lay woman, Mary E. H. McMichan, came forward to offer a gift of sufficient funds toward the establishment of such a school.
[2] At the request of Mary McMichan, in 1925, the school's name was prefaced with John W. Hallahan in honor of her brother.
[2] Hallahan was granted permission in the mid-1930s to have Mickey Mouse, a registered Disney character, as a mascot.
The newly appointed Seniors, Juniors and Sophomores jumped into the Swann Memorial Fountain and attract the local media in Philadelphia.
The courses include: Technology Communication I&II, Personal Finance, Orientation to Healthcare, Accounting, Small Business Management/Entrepreneurship, Advanced Computer Explorations and Web Design and Publisher.
College Preparatory offerings include: English Language Arts I- reading, writing and speaking through Genre Studies, English Language Arts II – Critical Reading, Writing and speaking through World and British Studies, English Language Arts III - Critical Reading, Writing and speaking through American Studies, English Language Arts IV - Critical Reading, Writing and speaking through Contemporary American Studies.
Our Art program is further enhanced with opportunities outside the class room to further develop their artistic talent.
These opportunities include a High School Cooperative Studio Program and the Moore College of Art Youth Artists Workshops.
The Science program offers 3 levels of coursework including College Prep, Honors and Advanced Placement.
Starting in grade 11 students can continue on with Social Studies by take Modern American History and Culture, Psychology or Government/Economics.