The congregation of the Holy Spirit, founded by Francis Libermann, is a worldwide religious community. Its two main areas of service are the missions and education. For more than 100 years it has contributed richly to the cause of Christian education in more than 30 countries.

Originally, Neil McNeil High School was a completely private school, with the Holy Ghost Fathers entirely responsible for its financial viability. This burden was somewhat relieved in 1964 when the Metropolitan Separate School Board joined the Fathers in a partnership in administering the school.

Since then, the new policy of the Ontario Government has extended the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Separate School Board from Grade 9 to 12, thus marking the beginning of a new era in the school's history.