St. Mary's High School finalizes deal to stay open, expand career pathways

ST. LOUIS - St. Mary's South Side Catholic High School, a St. Louis all-boys school once at risk of closing, has finalized a deal to remain open and expanded career training for its students.

In June 2022, the Archdiocese of St. Louis announced intentions to close the school due to declining enrollment and financial concerns. Efforts to keep the school open then gained momentum months later.

According to a news release Tuesday from St. Mary's High School, officials finalized a deal last month to purchase the school's 23-acre campus and buildings from the Archdiocese for $1.5 million.

As part of this deal, the school will operate independently from the financial and leadership support of the Archdiocese. Officials say enrollment has grown by 17% in recent years to 240 students, helping secure the school's long-term viability.

Additionally, St. Mary's now has two partnerships aiming to provide students with direct pathways to skilled trades careers.

One is a partnership with local trade unions to give high school students pre-apprenticeship opportunities for college credits. The other is a partnership with SSM that pair students with journeymen to learn trades.

“We knew if we were going to stay open, we were going to have to become more than just a high school,” said Mike England, St. Mary’s Southside Catholic High School President. “We’ve come up with a multi-part plan that we think will ensure this special place will continue its mission for future generations.”

St. Mary's High School primarily serves students in St. Louis' Dutchtown neighborhood, including many from low-income communities. According to the school, the average median income of its students' households is $40,000.

“Our school remains rooted in the mission, values and beliefs we’ve upheld for the past 90 plus years,” England said. “We remain committed to our families, Dutchtown and our faith.”

“The relationship we have built with the young men here at St. Mary’s makes sense for their future and the future of our industry,” AFL-CIO President Jake Hummel, among the school's partners. “We are beyond thrilled with the relationship we have begun to build with St. Mary’s and look forward to watching it grow.”

St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School was founded in 1931 with 62 students in its first graduating class. In 1964, it opened its current location at 4701 S Grand Blvd., just north of the old school site.