Founded in 1909, All Hallows High School stands as a testament to faith and education. The Congregation of Christian Brothers established it. They followed the principles of Blessed Edmund Rice. These principles focused on moral and scholastic training. It was especially meant for children of the poor.
All Hallows was the first school the Christian Brothers founded in the United States. Originally, it was located in Manhattan. It was at 13-15 West 124th Street. In 1929, the school moved to its current location. This is at 111 East 164th Street in the South Bronx. This location is near Yankee Stadium.
For much of its history, All Hallows included an elementary school. Since 1977, it has been exclusively a high school. All Hallows celebrated its centennial in 2009. As a gift from the Class of 2012, the street name was changed to All Hallows Way.
The All Hallows seal holds special meaning. The American Eagle represents the community’s commitment to the United States. A wreath of laurels symbolizes victory. It signifies achievement in athletics and academics. The circle around the eagle reminds of continuing faith. Gaelic symbols in the four corners represent the continuation of life. The Latin phrase Pro fide et patria means “For faith and country”.
Despite its location in a poor district, All Hallows sends its entire graduating class to four-year colleges. The Wall Street Journal called this success “stunning”. The Acton Institute recognized All Hallows. It was named as one of the top-50 Catholic high schools in the United States. This happened for nine consecutive years. All Hallows is the only city school in the Archdiocese of New York to earn this honor.
All Hallows offers many sports and activities. These include the All Hallows Players. This drama club is known for Shakespeare productions. There is also a newspaper called The Blue and White. Students can join the chess team and Big Brothers. “El Club Latino” is another option. Other clubs include student government and the Sports Bowl. There is also the Montefiore Medical Center Program. Intramural sports include football, dodge ball, and basketball.
The All Hallows teams are called The Gaels. Yet the mascot looks like a leprechaun wielding a shillelagh. All Hallows has a history of athletic awards. In 2006, the varsity baseball team won a CHSAA championship. The freshmen basketball team won a CHSAA championship in 2007. In 2011, the junior varsity bowling team won its second straight CHSAA title. All Hallows twice won the Bronx championship. This was on MSG Varsity’s “The Challenge”. This is a televised academic game show.
In 1997, alumni founded The All Hallows Foundation. This supports the school and neighborhood. The foundation provides scholarships for talented students. It also supports facility improvements and community outreach. In 2006, the Foundation received a $2 million donation from a graduate.
Sadly, All Hallows High School faced financial difficulties. January 2025 brought the announcement that the school would close in June. After 115 years, its doors will close forever. The school has an operating deficit. The aging building needs major upgrades. Despite this, All Hallows leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, and education.