The first class of St. Paul's College included 140 students. At this time the school was run by Reverend Alphonse Simon O.M.I. and the Oblate Fathers.
Until 1926, St. Boniface College was the only school in Manitoba to offer a Catholic education to young men. With the cancellation of the school's English program that spring, many students were left with only secular school options. In response to this decision and the ensuing outcry from parents, Archbishop Sinnott set out to organize the city's first English Catholic boys' high school. In two short months, the doors of St. Paul's College opened.
The new school, situated at 475 Selkirk Avenue, occupied a former Y.M.C.A. building. The building was renovated in order to create classrooms and accommodations for boarders. The gym and swimming tank were put to use as basketball, swim, and hockey teams were first organized in 1926.
With the introduction of the Arts program in 1928 and the growing popularity of the school amongst the local Catholic community, the building was soon outgrown. In 1931 a new building was purchased in downtown Winnipeg and classes were relocated in time for the new school year.