In 1908, the Michael P. Dowling, S.J., selected the site for a Jesuit school at 52nd and Troost Street in Kansas City.

The name "Rockhurst" was chosen because large rocks found on the grounds resembled those at the Jesuit Stonyhurst College in Lancashire, England.

He had overseen a $41.3 million fund-raising campaign which allowed capital improvements including Loyola Center athletic complex, a dining commons, and interactive classrooms.

[4] Beginning in 2017 Rockhurst has pioneered the STEAM tech-savvy, more active learning method in the sciences.

All sophomores participate in a day of reflection on how they are realizing God's hopes for them, followed by a conversation on the same topic with their parents, a member of the Rockhurst staff being present as facilitator.

Focus is on Christ working in their lives; Talks by Rockhurst student leaders and adults stimulate group discussions and private reflection.

In sophomore and junior years each student puts in at least 40 hours performing some corporal work of mercy.

[8] This includes the Joseph of Arimathea Society, Snowmen for Others, For the Greater (Morning) Glory, Hurtado’s Mentors, Claver Homeless Ministry, Friends of L'Arche, and Upper Room Tutors.

[12] Primary among these are the drama, choral, and instrumental music programs which are meant to supplement the required semester in a fine or performing arts class.

R Awards are conferred on students who show exemplary generosity in building up the RHS community.

Also, in 1987 Rockhurst became the only institution in the history of Missouri high school athletics to win football and basketball state championships in the same year.

Rockhurst's athletics program was named by Sports Illustrated as the best in Missouri and one of the top ten in the country in 2009.

Its biggest rivals in the Kansas City area are Shawnee Mission East, Bishop Miege, Blue Springs High School and Blue Springs South High School.

[35] The last three head coaches of Rockhurst's football team, Al Davis Jr., Jerry Culver, and Tony Severino, are all members of Missouri's High School Coaches Hall of Fame, and all won state championships.

Davis was a two-time recipient of the Knute Rockne Award and Severino was named USA Today's National Coach of the Year in 2000.