Saint Cols

In June of 1936, sixty-seven individuals were graduated from the high schook, including boys graduating for the first time.

In 1953, Monsignor William J. Daly, who succeeded Monsignor Tracy, converted the Brighton Catholic Institute Building on Market Street into a school of six classrooms. Monsignor Daly added a third floor to the Institute in 1955 to make a school building of nine classrooms and established Saint Columbkille Junior High School.

The (Allston-Brighton) Item reported many of the events that made Saint Columbkille's a growing and spirited high school. The year 1934 saw an innovative approach by students in a "Novel Broadcast Program":

"On Friday afternoon, March 16, an interesting Irish program was broadcast
from the school office of Saint Columbkille School to each of the 25
classrooms. Pupils from the high school to the tiny tots of the first grade stood
before the microphone and did their part to make the program a wonderful
success."

In the years to come, the high school soon became noted for its successes in academic accomplishments, drama, and sports.

The high school seniors made an annual Lenten drama production as part of their extracurricular activities, as described in a 1936 article:

"Before a large and appreciative audience, the Senior girls of Saint
Columbkille's School presented their annual Lenten Drama, "The Upper
Room", by Robert Hugh Benson, at the Parish Hall on last Monday
evening.The high school reorganized their theater presentations in the late 1940's toward popular comedies and musicals. The Saint Columbkille tradition was revived in 1970, with the Senior Class production of "Arsenic and Old Lace", commencing an annual display of entertainment that has become a landmark event in Senior Class activities.

Saint Columbkille's also became noted for its competition in oratorical and debating contests on the local and state levels. From the 1940's, high school students have excelled in public speaking arenas, capturing many championships during these years.

Saint Columbkille's Parish has had a great tradition in sports achievement. The annual "Sports Night" at the Brighton Institute on Market Street (now used as part of the grammar school) was held in the early 1930's for programs of sports and entertainment. Many notable athletes, coaches, and reporters spoke at these gatherings of their involvement in sports activities.