SJPII, the first Catholic high school to be founded in Tallahassee, opened in 2001. It graduated its first class in 2004, with the first charter class graduating the next year, in 2005.
The St. John Paul II campus initially had a gymnasium, chapel, main building, soccer field, and baseball field. A softball field was added in 2013 and opened for the 2014 season.
1970s – The need for a Catholic high school in Tallahassee was recognized and discussed.
1982 – The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee purchased 20 acres in north Tallahassee for the future high school campus.
Mid-1990s – Trinity Catholic School’s Long Range Planning Committee, chaired by Sterling Bryant and Dr. Michael Forsthoeful, was formed to assess Catholic educational needs in Tallahassee.
1997 – A parish-wide survey was conducted by MGMT Corp. Following this, the Catholic High School Committee, chaired by Dr. Michael Forsthoeful, proposed a plan titled Expanding Catholic Education in the Eastern Deanery of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee to Bishop John Ricard.
Spring 2000 – The “Panther” mascot was chosen through an essay contest at Trinity Catholic School.]
August 1, 2000 – Dr. Randall Felton was hired as the first principal.
August 6, 2000 – Groundbreaking for the school took place.
December 22, 2000 – The first student, Veronica Occhuizzo, was accepted.
January 12, 2001 – Bishop Ricard formally established the first Advisory Board for the school.
1998 – The Diocese retained Community Counseling Service, Inc. to conduct a Feasibility and Planning Study, interviewing over 100 stakeholders. The study supported the construction of the high school. A Curriculum Development Committee, chaired by Sterling Bryant and Sister Mary Caplice, CND, was formed and issued a report in 1999. The St. Joe/Arvida Corporation offered a 37.21-acre parcel in Southwood, adjacent to Florida High School. The Site Selection Committee recommended this location.
1999 – A design team developed the master plan for the school.
July 17, 2001 – The Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Sisters arrived in Tallahassee to serve at the school.
August 12, 2001 – The school was dedicated by Bishop John H. Ricard, S.S.J.
August 13, 2001 – First day of classes at John Paul II Catholic High School. The school received full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
2001-2002 School Year – The school signed its first articulation agreement with Barry University, allowing students to earn college credit during the day and providing evening courses for adults.
1970s – The need for a Catholic high school in Tallahassee was recognized and discussed.
1982 – The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee purchased 20 acres in north Tallahassee for the future high school campus.
Mid-1990s – Trinity Catholic School’s Long Range Planning Committee, chaired by Sterling Bryant and Dr. Michael Forsthoeful, was formed to assess Catholic educational needs in Tallahassee.
1997 – A parish-wide survey was conducted by MGMT Corp. Following this, the Catholic High School Committee, chaired by Dr. Michael Forsthoeful, proposed a plan titled Expanding Catholic Education in the Eastern Deanery of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee to Bishop John Ricard.The vision for a Catholic high school in Tallahassee began in the 1970s. In 1982, the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee purchased land for this purpose, but planning gained momentum in the 1990s. Committees led by Dr. Michael Forsthoeful and Sterling Bryant assessed the need, culminating in a 1998 feasibility study that confirmed community support.
1998 – The Diocese retained Community Counseling Service, Inc. to conduct a Feasibility and Planning Study, interviewing over 100 stakeholders. The study supported the construction of the high school. A Curriculum Development Committee, chaired by Sterling Bryant and Sister Mary Caplice, CND, was formed and issued a report in 1999. The St. Joe/Arvida Corporation offered a 37.21-acre parcel in Southwood, adjacent to Florida High School. The Site Selection Committee recommended this location.
1999 – A design team developed the master plan for the school.
Spring 2000 – The “Panther” mascot was chosen through an essay contest at Trinity Catholic School.]
August 1, 2000 – Dr. Randall Felton was hired as the first principal.
August 6, 2000 – Groundbreaking for the school took place.
December 22, 2000 – The first student, Veronica Occhuizzo, was accepted.
January 12, 2001 – Bishop Ricard formally established the first Advisory Board for the school.
July 17, 2001 – The Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Sisters arrived in Tallahassee to serve at the school.
August 12, 2001 – The school was dedicated by Bishop John H. Ricard, S.S.J.
August 13, 2001 – First day of classes at John Paul II Catholic High School. The school received full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
2001-2002 School Year – The school signed its first articulation agreement with Barry University, allowing students to earn college credit during the day and providing evening courses for adults.
