Strake Jesuit College Preparatory

In 1960, a vision took root on the then-undeveloped west side of Houston. This vision was Strake Jesuit College Preparatory. It was established by Father Michael Kennelly, S.J., on land donated by the Strake family. Strake Jesuit first opened its doors to a class of freshman boys in 1961. The school expanded gradually, adding a class each year until the first seniors graduated in 1965. Strake Jesuit is a Catholic, four-year college preparatory school for young men. It’s sponsored by the Society of Jesus, a Catholic order of priests and brothers founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius of Loyola. While Strake Jesuit is deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition, students are not required to be Catholic. However, all students must take theology classes each year and participate in school religious services. The school emphasizes cura personalis, a Latin phrase meaning “care of the whole person”. This philosophy influences everything from the curriculum to daily rituals and teaching methodologies. The campus itself has seen remarkable growth, particularly in the 1970s and 2000s. The Greater Glory Capital Campaign led to the construction of the Clay Activity Center, the Lahart Chapel of St. Ignatius, and the Moran Dining Hall. Strake Jesuit also boasts impressive athletic facilities, including a 3,000-seat competition gym, a separate gym with three basketball courts, and a 5,000-seat multi-purpose stadium. In 2012, the school completed its Retreat & Leadership Center. Located near Leona, Texas, the center offers a secluded space for spiritual reflection and growth. The center includes individual cabins, a dining hall, a conference center, a chapel, and various recreational facilities. Strake Jesuit has continued to evolve. In 2014, it opened Agee Hall. This state-of-the-art facility houses the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) program. It stands as the largest academic building on campus, a testament to Strake Jesuit’s commitment to preparing students for the future.