In 1917 the school was expanded to include a normal school both to provide training for black teachers and because Archbishop James H. Blenk was eager for graduates to teach six new black parishes that were planned. On September 9, 1921, the Louisiana Department of Education officially recognized "Xavier University" as a State Approved High School. By 1922, the school was described as the only Catholic institution in the United States that offered "a full four years' high school course to colored boys." While this may not be true, Xavier University was certainly by far the most prominent Catholic institution offering such educational opportunities at the time.