ST. LOUIS–Just under two months since the Archdiocese of St. Louis announced plans to close St. Mary’s High School citing low enrollment, the school officially announced plans to reopen under a new name and a new sponsor, effective July 1, 2023.
St. Mary’s Southside Catholic High School will be sponsored by the Marianist order, which currently sponsors St. John Vianney High School and Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis County.
School President Mike England announced Thursday that the all-boys school has a signed transfer of authority agreement with the Archdiocese, which will lease the property to the school.
"Thousands of people have rallied around this great institution to ensure that God’s work continues here in the Dutchtown neighborhood,” England said during a Thursday ceremony. “Today, we are proud to announce our plans to create a new beginning by honoring our past and embracing the future because we believe in the power of our faith and the future of this school.”
The school’s current board of directors structure will be replaced by the Southside Education Collaborative, a 501C3 non-profit organization. The three-member leadership team includes former St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, a St. Mary’s graduate.
“I’m here not because not only what St. Mary’s means to me now and and what it’s means to me my whole life, but what it means to today’s youth in St. Louis and the Dutchtown neighborhood. Our students need St. Mary’s, This neighborhood needs St. Mary’s. St. Louis needs St. Mary’s,” Slay said.
England said the school has $3.3 million of $10 million needed to fund a five-year operating plan.
Negotations continue in an effort to save the future of Rosati-Kain, the all-girls high school the Archdiocese said would also close at the end of the current academic year.