State of the School 2026

Back in high school, through my college days where I studied political science, and even to now, I have always enjoyed the annual State of the Union Address, where the current president addresses a joint session of Congress. It is nationally televised and full of pomp, including the Sergeant at Arms walking into the House chamber and announcing, “Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States!” Everyone stands out of respect for the office, and the president’s party gives a standing ovation.

Tonight is not that. There are no standing ovations and very little pomp,just an honest look at where we are and a very optimistic view of where we are going. In a State of the Union Address, the president rarely acknowledges the struggles of his administration.

Before speaking about structures, staffing, or timelines for our future, it is important to say clearly: Holy Family Classical School is not defined primarily by our buildings or by any one leader. We are defined by a mission. Classical education has its roots in antiquity but was adopted by the Church as its primary means of education for centuries. We are carrying forward a great tradition that reflects the order and beauty of God’s creation.

We exist to form young men and women in wisdom and virtue, rooted in the truth of Jesus Christ, through the riches of the Catholic intellectual and spiritual tradition. Our classical approach is not a trend, a vibe, or a branding choice; it is a conviction that truth is knowable, that beauty is formative, and that goodness is worth sacrificing for.

As Rector of the Cathedral, I want to state plainly: I am deeply committed to this Catholic classical identity, now and into the future. From PreK through 12th grade, every decision we make,about leadership, facilities, or growth,flows from that commitment.

I want to begin, however, by acknowledging our struggles. They are numerous and, unfortunately, they have been quite public.

Holy Family School has been around since 1899. Many of you are familiar with our founding, which was made possible by a donation from St. Katharine Drexel and a mission to serve African American and Native American children. That was 127 years ago, at the corner of what is now 3rd and Elgin in downtown Tulsa. A small church and a growing school eventually outgrew that location, and visionary priests and parish leaders moved us to 8th and Boulder, where a new church was completed in 1914 and the school building followed in 1920. We have not built a school building since 1920.

Six years ago, our school underwent a major transformation with a dramatic shift to classical education. This included a name change, an almost complete turnover of faculty and staff, and an influx of new families,many of you. We owe a real debt of gratitude to the leaders of that transformation. It was difficult work and came with real heartache, but it succeeded. Not only did we stave off conversations about closing the school, but we also grew, attracting new families and new donors who brought us to where we are today.

With any transformation come challenges. As one Holy Family parent said to me a few months ago, “We’re doing a hard thing, and we’ve done it the hard way.” We are currently searching for our third headmaster in five years. During the first semester of this year, we experienced difficult moments and significant differences of opinion, and we are still working through those issues.

I take responsibility for these shortcomings. As Rector of the Cathedral, it is my responsibility to ensure that both the parish and the school,our parish’s largest ministry,are spiritually thriving and well run. That has not always been the case in recent months. For any heartache caused by decisions that were made, I take responsibility.

In a good and ultimately hopeful way, our weaknesses,recent and not so recent,have come to light. While painful, this honesty will serve us well. Important conversations are happening. Committees have been formed to address admissions, discipline, and how best to serve our students. This process has also led some families, understandably weary of instability, to seek other educational options. I respect and support every parent in choosing what is best for their children. For many of you,and I hope for all of you,Holy Family Classical School remains that place.

What we are doing here is good, holy, and hard. It is not experimental. While it is new to us, to our diocese, and to our state, it will stand the test of time. If you are still with us, I hope you will continue to walk with us. The road ahead will still have challenges, but it will be steadier as we address current issues and plan intentionally for the future.

Our community has been through a great deal,students, parents, faculty, and staff alike. Recently, I attended a conference of priests involved in classical and liberal arts education, and I heard many stories that mirrored our own early years. That does not excuse our struggles, but it does remind us that others have walked this road and emerged not just intact, but flourishing.

At that conference, one priest asked his community, “What is Hell’s strategy for our school? What does the devil want?” His answer was clear: division, discouragement, and ultimately closure. God’s plan, however, is very different.

God’s plan is for us to flourish. I am deeply confident that Holy Family Classical School’s best days are ahead. What we are building here is special, generational, and unprecedented in modern Catholic education in Oklahoma. Though our efforts have been imperfect, God is blessing this work. Years from now, it will be said that this community,these families, teachers, and leaders,were present at the beginning.

 

Spiritual Life and Daily Mass

We are at our best when we are at prayer, and we need to pray more. Beginning next school year, Holy Family Classical School students will attend Mass every school day. Our high school students will attend Mass Monday through Friday, and students in first through eighth grade will attend four days a week. This plan has taken shape over the past eighteen months and is now ready to be implemented. Our students and teachers will have daily access to the sacraments.

 

Headmaster Search

I am pleased to share that Ryan Klopack of Arcadia Education is with us and is leading our search for a new headmaster. We are approaching this search deliberately and prayerfully. The headmaster of a Catholic classical school is not merely an administrator but a steward of culture, a guardian of curriculum, and a partner with parents in the formation of souls.

We are encouraged by the strength and quality of candidates from across the country who recognize what is happening here in Tulsa. Fidelity matters more than speed, and fit matters more than convenience. This process is being guided by prayer, counsel, and a clear sense of mission. As a community, we are beginning a novena to ask God to guide us in this important decision.

 

Campus and Building Plans

As a school matures, its physical campus should reflect its mission. In June 2025, we acquired 924 S. Boulder, nearly an acre of land that has already contributed to our growing campus. While that building is currently used for storage, our immediate focus is on building closer to our existing school facilities.

Buildings shape habits and community life. For that reason, our plans are not simply about expansion but about alignment with our mission. Holy Family Cathedral has not built a new building since 1920. It is time to change that.

Our plans include a new gymnasium and parish hall, a dedicated early childhood education building, and the creation of additional green space on campus. These investments reflect our commitment to the formation of the whole person,spiritually, intellectually, physically, and communally.

All of these projects will be pursued with prudence, transparency, and respect for resources. Growth for its own sake is not our goal; faithful growth in service of our mission is.

 

Our Distinct Identity

Holy Family Classical School is the only Catholic classical school in Oklahoma serving students from PreK through high school. Our commitment includes a screen-free classroom environment, a robust arts and music program, Latin instruction beginning in third grade, a senior thesis, a Rome pilgrimage, daily prayer, weekly adoration, and a chapel at the heart of the school.

This charism is demanding. It asks more of teachers, students, and parents,but it offers something increasingly rare: an education ordered toward truth, goodness, and beauty in the light of Christ. This identity is not negotiable; it is the reason our school exists.

 

Conclusion

In closing, I offer my sincere gratitude. To our teachers, thank you for your sacrifice and fidelity. To our parents, thank you for entrusting your children to this mission. To our benefactors, thank you for your generosity and belief in what we are building. And to our students,you are the reason we do this work.

Holy Family Classical School is just beginning, beginning with clarity, faith, and hope. Let us move forward together, centered on Jesus Christ and committed to forming the next generation of saints and scholars. May God continue to bless Holy Family Classical School for decades to come.