“Not for school but for life” That’s the motto of Archbishop Molloy High School. Right here before us stands a testament to that enduring belief. This isn’t just a school. It’s a legacy.
Archbishop Molloy High School opened in 1957. It wasn’t always in Briarwood Queens. Its history stretches back to 1892. Then it was St Ann’s Academy in Manhattan. The Marist Brothers ran it. They taught in French initially. Eventually they switched to English. The school grew. It expanded its programs. It even had a brief flirtation with military style uniforms and a marching band during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency.
As St Ann’s Academy flourished its buildings aged. The Marist Brothers needed a new space. Archbishop Thomas Edmund Molloy stepped in. He offered a generous six-acre site in Queens. The move to this new location marked a significant turning point. In 1957 the school received an award for its architecture from the Queens Chamber of Commerce. It also marked a name change. The school was renamed in the Archbishop’s honor. This new location allowed the school’s enrollment to nearly double.
Archbishop Molloy has seen many changes. In 2000 it became co-educational. Its first female graduate walked across the stage in 2004. The school boasts a rich athletic tradition. The Stanners as its students are known compete fiercely. Their rivalry with Msgr McClancy Memorial High School is legendary. Molloy’s impact extends far beyond sports and academics. Many notable alumni have made their mark on the world. They include astronauts politicians athletes and even actors.
Today Archbishop Molloy continues its mission. It provides a college-preparatory education. It embraces diversity. It fosters Christian values. It emphasizes leadership and service. This school is more than brick and mortar. It’s a community a family a place where students learn not just for school but for life.