A Jesuit High School for the Sacramento area had been initially envisioned by the late Bishop Robert Armstrong. It was his successor, Bishop Joseph McGucken who invited the Jesuits of the California Province to begin the project. In January of 1961, the Society of Jesus purchased twenty-one acres of the Horst Ranch property which was to be used for the new school campus.

In May of 1962, a fund raising effort was spearheaded by Mr. Elwood Maleville, Mr. Jack Maleville, and other Catholic laymen. The well known architect Harry Devine began work on the plans fo the first phase of the 2.5 million dollar plant. The contracting firm of Harbison and Mahoney undertook the construction of the buildings, having a fall 1963 target date for completion.

On September 17, 1963, Jesuit High School opened its doors to 93 freshmen students. The faculty consisted of six Jesuit priests and one layman. Fr. Jack Geiszel, S.J. was appointed Pricipal, and Fr. Joseph Keane, S.J., was named the first Superior and President. The school was dedicated by Bishop Alden Bell to the Jesuit North American Martyrs.

In September of 1964 twenty-one acres, known and the Haggin Bottomland, were acquired for athletic facilities. The faculty residence was enlarged in 1966, and two years later the gymnasium-little theatre coples was completed.

In 1973-74, Jesuit High School was threatened with closure due to financial and manpower difficulties. An "Ad Hoc Committee to Save Jesuit High School" was formed to work out the serious problems facing the school. A Board of Trustees, under the chairmanship of the late Mr. James Carr, the head of the Ad Hoc Committee, was established and assumed the financial and policy-making responsibilities for the school. The Jesuit Order retained its role as administrators of the school.

The Board of Trustees, which is composed of four Jesuits and eighteen men and women, is dedicated to maintaining the high standards of Jesuit education in the Sacramento area.

Jesuit enrollment has increased over the years to a current level of 1,000 students, and the Board of Trustees has adopted and initiated a long-range plan to retire the debt that lingers from the first days of the school's construction. Recently there have been many imporvements on the campus. Several new classrooms have been added, including a Band room which allowed for the development of a full-time music program. In 1978-79, the school sponsored a scholarship development drive and provided the basis of funding for the new library addition which opened during the 1980-81 school year; it also provided increased scholarship aid to families needing financial assistance to send their sons to Jesuit. In May, 1982, the library was dedicated by Bishop Alden Bell to Rev. Joseph J. King, S.J. In 1986, construction of a competitive swimming and diving facility was completed. In 1992, a new Mathematics/Life Sciences classroom wing was completed.

Jesuit High school continues to be blessed with the strong supports of the students, alumni and their families, together with the good will and interest of the many friends of the greater Sacramento community.