In the late 1950s, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota sought to expand the number of Catholic high schools in the Twin Cities area.

At the same time, Monsignor Joseph Lapinski, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Columbia Heights, purchased some land in nearby Fridley in the hope that the archdiocese would build one of these new high schools there.

In 1980, the name of the school was augmented to Totino-Grace to honor the generous benefaction of Jim and Rose Totino, entrepreneurs in the frozen pizza business.

Today Totino-Grace is one of the largest (with a student population of approximately 800) of the thirteen Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Totino-Grace is now part of a worldwide network of Lasallian Schools with approximately 5000 Brothers and 70,000 lay colleagues teaching nearly one million students in eighty-two countries.

Ostendorf taught at Totino-Grace High School without issue for 18 years but was summarily dismissed when she refused to resign willingly from her position.

When asked why she came out as a lesbian despite the obvious threat to her job, Ostendorf stated that she found herself unwilling to remain "part of a community where I was required to hide and compromise and deny who I am".

[6] Totino-Grace offer 18 different sport activities,[7] including baseball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, dance, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, weight lifting and wrestling.

He was First-Team All-State three consecutive seasons, and was chosen as the Minnesota High School Gatorade Boys Soccer Player of the Year as a junior.

[citation needed] Track and field has had many true team state appearances, including a boys' first-place finish in 2006 and girls in 2008.

[18] Totino-Grace High School's girls' tennis is a fall season sport as well as a no-cut program, allowing players of any ability level (beginner or experienced) to join.

[citation needed] Under the direction of Terrence Voss (choir) and Tim Hoffman (band), the performing arts at Totino-Grace have grown immensely in popularity and esteem or the past few years.

[citation needed] Under the direction of Terry Voss and Tim Hoffman, along with assistant directors Heather Douglas and Bryce Mahlstedt, the group is an all student ensemble, with accompanying crew and band.