History

With the high school’s enrollment continuing to grow, the decision was made to relocate the high school division to a separate campus.  In September 1961, a 31.5-acre plot of land on Walnut Grove Road in East Memphis was purchased.  Fundraising for construction of the new school began in earnest.  In 1965, CBHS began to operate under a separate charter from the college.

Even though CBHS did not open its doors on Walnut Grove Road until 1965, it had already made history.  Christian Brothers College had been quietly and peacefully integrated in 1960 when Ernest Donohue transferred to CBC from LeMoyne-Owen College.  No public or private secondary school in Memphis, however, had been integrated prior to 1963.  In August of that year, Brother President Terence McLaughlin accepted the application of Jesse Turner, Jr., and made CBHS the first integrated high school in the city.  Turner graduated as the co-salutatorian of the Class of 1967.

CBHS continues to grow and expand.  In 2011, a campus-wide, state-of-the-art wireless network infrastructure was installed, enabling internet connectivity from the baseball bleachers on the east end to the STEMM labs on the west end, and everywhere in-between.  A 1:1 computing program was added in 2012.    

In 2014, CBHS announced a capital campaign that would transform the campus.  The goal of Momentum for our Future was to prepare our school for future generations.  The timeline was aggressive, to complete all projects by the end of 2021, coinciding with the 150^th anniversary of the Brothers’ arrival in Memphis.  That goal was achieved.

McEniry Hall, which houses our STEMM faculty and programs, was completed in 2014.  Heffernan Hall, which provides a full-service lunch program and serves as an event space for large community gatherings, was completed in 2014.  The Brother Joel Endowment, which provides funding for faculty continuing education and professional development, was completed in 2015.  The Brothers’ residence was renovated and upgraded in 2015.  The Brothers Development Center, which houses Athletic Performance, Sports Medicine, football, lacrosse, and wrestling, was completed in 2016.  The Marr School of Business and Economics was completed in 2017.  McCourtney Hall, which houses counseling services and student support services, was completed in 2018.  The athletic wing, which houses soccer, basketball, cross country, track, and rugby locker rooms, was completed in 2018.  Stephen Hall, which houses admissions, advancement, marketing, and communications, was completed in 2018.  The McNeill Family Fieldhouse, home of CBHS basketball and community events, was completed in 2021.   

Since Momentum for our Future has been completed, security upgrades have been made to the campus.  A guardhouse and additional fencing around campus have been added.  The turf on Landers Field in Tom Nix Stadium has been replaced, and the practice field north of the home bleachers has been turfed.  The press box has been refurbished and a digital scoreboard has been added.  The Jack Moran Track has been resurfaced.  Upgrades have been made to the Giacosa Baseball Complex.  The auditorium has been named The Theresa and David Cook Auditorium in honor of the Cooks longstanding support of our band and scholarship programs.  The original gym has been dedicated The Pratt House in honor of longtime Dean George Pratt, and the floor in the Pratt House has been dedicated The Bubba Luckett Court, in honor of longtime basketball coach Bubba Luckett.  The campus has never looked better.

During the 2023 – 2024 academic year, a new schedule was implemented.  Classes meet every other day, similar to a college schedule.  All students have a study hall and flex time.  The students have a wide selection of electives from which to choose.  Advisory period meets four out of five days a week.  Clubs have the opportunity to meet during the Monday advisory period.  The Brothers Leadership Council (BLC) regularly provides fun activities and food for the boys.  There has never been a better time to be a Brothers’ Boy.  It is all about the experience that we are providing for our Men for Tomorrow, Brothers for Life.