Рокхёрст Жоғары Мектебінің Тарихы мен Дамуы

Rockhurst High School is a private, Jesuit, all boys preparatory school founded in 1910 along with Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. It moved away from the College in 1962 to a campus on State Line Road in Kansas City. Rockhurst is accredited by the North Central Education Association and is a member of the North Central Education Association of Independent College Preparatory Schools, the Jesuit Secondary Education Association, and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (and its regional affiliates).

In 1908, the Michael P. Dowling, S. J., selected the site for a Jesuit school at 52nd and Troost Street in Kansas City. The name "Rockhurst" was chosen because large rocks found on the grounds resembled those at the Jesuit Stonyhurst College in Lancashire, England. Rockhurst was established by the Society of Jesus and chartered by the State of Missouri as part of Rockhurst College in August 1910. Classes began in the fall of 1914, and the school changed its name to Rockhurst High School in 1923. The high school shared a campus and corporate umbrella with the College until 1962, when it moved to the Greenlease Campus (named for its principal benefactor, Robert C. Greenlease). In 2017 Fr. Terrence Baum, S. J., concluded 12 years as president of the high school. He had overseen a $41.3 million fund raising campaign which allowed capital improvements including Loyola Center athletic complex, a dining commons, and interactive classrooms. In 2018, former Rockhurst High School principal David J. Laughlin returned to be the school's first lay president.

Fifty six semester credits are required for graduation. This includes four years of English, of mathematics and computer programming, and of theology; three years of social studies and of physical science; two years of modern and classical languages; one semester of communication arts and another of communications arts or visual and performing arts; and a semester of computer education and of physical education. To this are added 12 semesters of college preparatory electives. Beginning in 2017 Rockhurst has pioneered the STEAM tech savvy, more active learning method in the sciences.

All freshmen participate in a two and a half day retreat experience focused on community and love of God, with the diverse members of the Rockhurst community as presenters. All sophomores participate in a day of reflection on how they are realizing God's hopes for them, followed by a conversation on the same topic with their parents, a member of the Rockhurst staff being present as facilitator. All juniors make one of the three and a half day Kairos retreats. Focus is on Christ working in their lives; Talks by Rockhurst student leaders and adults stimulate group discussions and private reflection. Seniors are offered options of making three day retreats based on Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises and two day camping retreats with a focus on finding God in nature. Neither is required but both may be made more than once.

All students participate in the school's voluntary service program throughout their four years. Freshmen are introduced to voluntary service during freshman orientation days, again during their retreat, and at one of the special freshman service days. In sophomore and junior years each student puts in at least 40 hours performing some corporal work of mercy. Seniors spend three weeks on a senior project of their choice, working with people who have special needs. Beyond the required service hours, Rockhurst has additional projects which students take on in a program named after Jesuit Father General Pedro Arrupe, who called on Jesuit schools to educate men and women for others. This includes the Joseph of Arimathea Society, Snowmen for Others, For the Greater (Morning) Glory, Hurtado’s Mentors, Claver Homeless Ministry, Friends of L'Arche, and Upper Room Tutors. The Total Ignatian Experience program provides the whole Rockhurst community, including parents, with opportunities for immersion experiences in summers; seniors may also do this during their January service experience. Programs offered are in Kansas City, St. Louis, Appalachia, Tijuana, and Guatemala. Running the Harvest Food Drive and Mission Week are also a part of this program. The Jesuit Alumni Service Corps (ASC) involves graduates of Jesuit schools in a year of teaching at a Jesuit secondary school. Eleven Rockhurst High School graduates have served in ASC and in 2016 there were 16 former ASC members on the Rockhurst faculty.

Rockhurst offers to students 61 extracurricular clubs and activities. Primary among these are the drama, choral, and instrumental music programs which are meant to supplement the required semester in a fine or performing arts class. The school choir has performed in concert at the Jesuit parish in town. From the student government organization, one of the more prominent student body presidents was Tim Kaine, class of '76, Hillary Clinton's running mate in the US presidential election of 2016. In 2016 eight students in the Mock Trial Club took second place in the state. Prior to admittance, the Alberto Hurtado Scholars Program offers a year round educational enrichment program for boys in grades 6 8 who are very capable but have not had the educational opportunities to prepare them for the Rockhurst admissions test. Recognition given for student achievement includes the following annual awards. There are awards in each academic discipline. Students are inducted into the National Honor Society. The Environmental Leadership Award is given to students who have excelled in this area. Perfect and exemplary attendance awards are given. There are numerous awards of distinction: Advanced Placement Scholars; National Merit Commended, Semi Finalists and Finalists; National Achievement Scholarship Program; National Hispanic Recognition; and book awards sponsored by universities. R Awards are conferred on students who show exemplary generosity in building up the RHS community. And 28 students in 2016 had put in over 100 hours of service and received the President's Volunteer Service Award. One senior is voted by classmates to receive the Senior Class Award, for service to the school. On the same basis the Carl G. Kloster, S. J., “Special R” Award is voted on by faculty and staff, who also bestow the Jesuit Secondary Education Association Award on the basis of Christian and Ignatian ideals. In 2013 the school initiated a drug testing program. Only a few students tested positive, and their parents were informed. Upon a second instance the school becomes involved.

Rockhurst is classified as a Class 6A school by the Missouri State High School Activities Association, meaning that it competes against the largest high schools in Missouri during state competition.

Rockhurst is the only school to win a championship in each major state championship venue: Busch Stadium, Arrowhead Stadium, the University of Missouri's Faurot Field, and the Edward Jones Dome. The back to back state championship teams of 1986 and 1987 also finished nationally ranked, 14th and 13th respectively (after finishing 11–1 and 12–1). The last three head coaches of Rockhurst's football team, Al Davis Jr., Jerry Culver, and Tony Severino, are all members of Missouri's High School Coaches Hall of Fame, and all won state championships. Davis was a two time recipient of the Knute Rockne Award and Severino was named USA Today's National Coach of the Year in 2000.