The desire to build a Catholic high school for these graduates prompted the diocese to purchase the 40-acre (160,000 m2) Florence Addition.

He mentioned that Bishop Daniel Gercke of Tucson was thinking about asking a religious order to operate Salpointe.

On September 8, 1955, Bishop Gercke transferred ownership of the forty acres and buildings, then known as Salpointe High School, to the Carmelites for "$10.00 and other valuable considerations".

Under her sponsorship, the school grew from 400 to 1,000 pupils, and the physical infrastructure that forms much of today's campus was established.

The district argued that, while the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act would normally require such services if the student attended public school, providing it for religious instruction at Salpointe would be unconstitutional.

"[4] Admissions decisions are made on the basis of information provided on several application forms, recommendations, transcripts, and a personal interview.

Several important admissions-related events are held at Salpointe including Open House[7] and Step Up Day.

Established in 1978, the program provides an integrated, interdisciplinary, multi-cultural approach needed by students to actively take part in their communities and a complex global universe.

The 8,000 square-foot building was part of a $12 million capital campaign that also funded a new athletics complex and student center.

The STEM center focuses on engineering, robotics and biotechnology and includes a 3D printer, a biomedical lab, classrooms and outdoor work spaces.

[21] In 2013, Salpointe's drama students, with their production Cash on Delivery, were invited to perform in front of thousands of their peers at the Arizona Thespian Festival, under the direction of Dana Milne, the school's Director of Fine Arts.

[24] The following year, Salpointe student Samia Posadas competed at the Jimmy Awards for her role as Elle Woods in the school's production of Legally Blonde: The Musical.

She was then chosen as one of eight finalists out of 96 total nominees,[25] and gave a solo performance of the song "Stupid With Love" from the musical Mean Girls.

[27] Salpointe also has a band and orchestra, which have, on multiple occasions, been featured on a local Tucson, Arizona-based news station, for their weekly "wake up call".

[29] The Instrumental Music program has undergone changes since 2019 with the coming of a new director, Jim Howell, Salpointe alumnus of 1991.

Concert Band, where students can learn music history and play exciting and challenging arrangements in the traditional concert-ensemble style.

in 2019, Salpointe implemented the Aspire Capital Project, an 11-million-dollar fundraising campaign with focuses on academics, arts, and athletics.

The renovation of existing facilities meets the needs of 85% of Lancers who participate in extracurricular activities: Kalil Family Gymnasium including the Pat Sniezek Wall of Champions and Rev.

John Lyons Bistro, Stevens Strength and Conditioning Center, Michael Geddes Wrestling Facility, Alumni Hall, as well as installation of lights on the baseball, softball and track fields.

[32] (sung to the melody of the Notre Dame Victory March)[32] Under the guidance of the Carmelites, Salpointe has developed an active campus ministry.

[33] Students at Salpointe also attend periodic all-school mass, worshipping the Holy Trinity under the direction of the school chaplain.

In addition to routine academic counseling and schedule management, the school counselors are actively engaged in helping students mature in their decision-making, values clarification, and interpersonal relationships.

[34] Salpointe's Counseling and Guidance Department has undertaken a number of novel initiatives in recent years such as the Community of Concern[35] program.

The Community of Concern committee sponsors annual forums to inform parents about medical, legal, criminal and social aspects of drug and alcohol abuse.