ST. LOUIS — Rosati-Kain Academy and St. Mary’s Southside Catholic High School will launch July 1 as independent Catholic schools.

What You Need To Know

  • Lease agreements with the Archdiocese and the new sponsorships of both schools were reached in December 2022, months after the Archdiocese announced its plan to close the schools at the end of the 2022-23 academic year

  • Sponsored by St. Joseph Educational Ministries, the Rosati-Kain Academy board of directors assumes full leadership of the sole independent Catholic all-girls school in the city of St. Louis

  • St. Mary’s Southside Catholic High School is sponsored by the Marianist order

  • St. Mary'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

Lease agreements with the Archdiocese and the new sponsorships of both schools were reached in December 2022, months after the Archdiocese announced its plan to close the schools at the end of the 2022-23 academic year.

Sponsored by St. Joseph Educational Ministries, the Rosati-Kain Academy board of directors assumes full leadership of the sole independent Catholic all-girls school in the city of St. Louis, according to a press release. 

“Rosati-Kain Academy is poised to continue its notable service to the region with the overwhelming support of alumnae, the St. Louis community, and families whose lives have been changed by Rosati-Kain,” President Maggie Sullivan said.

In May, Sullivan joined Rosati-Kain Academy as president and has selected Masa Massenburg-Johnson, Ph.D., as the new principal of academic innovation and student experience. 

“I am energized to lead a school that fulfills such a significant and unique purpose in the city of St. Louis for cultivating extraordinary women leaders from all walks of life, dedicated to making our world a better place,” Sullivan said.

Rosati-Kain also has started a fundraising campaign with a goal of $12.5 million over the next five years with a $2.5 million designated for an endowment in order to “secure the school’s long-term future,” according to the press release.

The school already has raised $1.5 million and $1 million in endowments.

“The threats to Rosati-Kain’s future fueled a resurgence of alumnae engagement and a strong community network that believes in supporting an all-girls school that consistently graduates young women with a deep understanding of the world’s most compelling problems and the preparation to create solutions,” the press release states. 

“In defining an exciting new future as Rosati-Kain Academy, the school board and school leadership are committed to sustaining the school’s mission to cultivate the individuality, faith, and talent of young women who aspire to lead and serve the world through a vibrant and innovative Catholic education."

St. Mary's

The independent all-boys Catholic school, St. Mary’s Southside Catholic High School is sponsored by the Marianist order, which currently sponsors St. John Vianney High School and Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis County.

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.