McGill Institute was founded in 1896 by brothers Arthur and Felix McGill as a free school for boys. In 1928, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart took over the administration the school. They continue to serve on the faculty of the school. The original McGill Institute building was on Government Street, in downtown Mobile. In 1952, the school moved to Old Shell Road, across the street from Bishop Toolen School for Girls. Bishop Toolen School for Girls was founded in 1928 by Bishop Thomas J. Toolen and was administered by the Sisters of Loretto until it merged with McGill Institute in 1972 to form the co-educational McGill–Toolen Catholic High School. In December 2007, the Mobile Register reported that supporters of the school raised $10.3 million to renovate the campus and add a new science building and student center. The science facility was opened in 2009, giving every science teacher their own classroom and lab space. The student center is a two-story building fronting Lafayette Street and includes a cafeteria, chapel, and student plaza. It was completed in 2016.
Sports and traditions
McGill–Toolen is sometimes called "McT" for short. The school colors are orange and black, and the mascot is a yellowjacket. In 2006, the McGill–Toolen varsity football team became the 6A Region 1 Champions for the first time in thirty years by defeating its long-time rival Murphy High School. The football team repeated in 2007 as the 6A Region 1 Champs. During the regular season, the team also had a perfect 10–0 record. They advanced to the semifinals of the 2007 playoffs before losing to Prattville High School with a record of 13–1. In October 2007 the school announced the construction of a football stadium at the Archbishop Lipscomb Sports Complex. The stadium was completed in time for the 2008 season, moving McGill from Ladd–Peebles Stadium. For the 2020 season, McGill-Toolen dropped drown to a 6A team. In 2015, the McGill–Toolen Football Team became the Alabama 7A State Champions. In 2016, the McGill–Toolen Men's Basketball Team became the Alabama 7A State Champions. In 2019, the McGill-Toolen Baseball Team became the Alabama 7A State Champions.
McT Band
Established in 1896, The McGill-Toolen High School Band is one of Alabama's oldest musical organizations. The band performs at football games, marching festivals, school pep rallies, assemblies, mass, parades, and concert festivals, and performs several concerts throughout the school year. Making up the band program at McGill is the Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Color Guard, and Winter Guard. In 2009, the band moved into their new band hall. The band room was dedicated to and named after the longtime director of the Prep Band Program Charles "Buddy" Porter. The band is under the direction of Sean C. Noah. The McT Band has earned consistent Superior ratings in marching competitions and Superior with Distinction at Alabama Music Performance Assessment. The band has also traveled and performed in Mexico, Italy, Chicago, and Ireland. On April 23, 2016, the McGill–Toolen Catholic High School Band traveled to New York City and made their Carnegie Hall premier. The band traveled to Orlando in 2018 and marched in Universal Studios. The band was slated to tour and perform in Austria and Germany in the fall of 2020, unfortunately due to the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2, the tour was cancelled.
