Marian Middle School marks 25th year
Alumni continue to excel
St. Louis American
The 2024-2025 school year marks 25 years of Marian Middle School’s commitment to empowering young women in St. Louis.
n “Twentyfive years of empowering young women is a milestone we›re incredibly proud of.”
– Mary Elizabeth Grimes
The Catholic all-girls, family-focused school is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through life-altering education. Located in the Tower Grove South neighborhood, Marian serves girls in grades six through eight Seven communities of Catholic sisters and several laywomen founded Marian Middle School in 1999 with a curriculum supported by teachers who inspire a passion for learning. It focuses on creating a well-rounded learning environment where young women develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills essential for success in a competitive world. Despite its name suggesting a focus only on middle school education, Marian’s impact extends far beyond these formative years. Today, the school has a community of 338 alumnae, achieving a 100% high school graduation rate, with 100% of graduates enrolling in college, and 78 successfully earning college degrees.
“Twenty-five years of empowering young women is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of,” said Mary Elizabeth Grimes, school president.
“Marian Middle School has been a place where girls discover their strengths, build confidence, and develop the skills they need to succeed. Our students and graduates are making a positive impact on our community, and we’re excited to continue this legacy for generations to come.”
Principal Sierhah Price said her school provides “a supportive and empowering environment where young women can discover their voices, explore their talents, and thrive academically, socially, and personally.”
In addition to its core curriculum, the school offers a diverse range of extracurricular activities such as robotics, visual and performing arts, and athletics. These programs serve as platforms for students to pursue their interests, develop
See MARIAN, D4
Missouri private school minority student population reaches 21%
St. Louis American
According to Private School Review, Missouri private schools are composed of 21% minority students (202425).
Established in 2003, Private School Review says on its website that it focuses on helping families learn about private schools, their benefits, and the application process.
Schools directly update the information on our site at regular intervals, to help provide the most current data for families. Schools also respond to inquiries sent from our site, so that families can conveniently use our standardized forms to ask schools questions and receive free informational materials.
Private School review’s latest ranking showed that
there are 26 private schools in Missouri that have minority populations of 99-100%. While this does not mean that all students are ethnic minorities, many of the schools listed have student populations that are 100% African American.
The 2024-25 list includes:
A Growing Place Montessori School Montessori School 100% PK-K 7001 Forsyth Boulevard Saint Louis, MO 63105 (131) 435-1854
New City School opens its application portal
Tuition offered
St. Louis American
While the 2024-25 school year is in its third month, New City School is reminding prospective families that applications for the 2025-26 school year are now being accepted.
The application process typically begins in the fall prior to the year you are interested in admittance for your child. Listed below are necessary steps to begin the process and deadlines. 2025-2026 Admissions: Friday, January 31, 2025: Admissions applications and variable tuition applications due Friday, March 14, 2025: Admissions decisions shared Friday, April 4, 2025: Enrollment contracts due Applications submitted after January 31, 2025, are reviewed on a rolling basis, space permitting. New City School is also inviting family members
See NEW CITY, D2
Diversity is more than desirable at New City School; it is one of the school’s founding principles. According to the school’s mission, “It is crucial for children to understand, commit to, and seek out diversity in school and in life.” The application portal for the 2025-26 school year is open.
Cardinal Ritter College Prep is one of 25 Missouri private schools with a 100% minority population.
According to Private School Review rankings, minority students comprise 21% of private school student bodies.
Photo courtesy of Cardinal Ritter College Prep
Photo courtesy of New City School
Minority
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Agape Academy & Child Development Center (Christian)
100%
PK-4
7400 Olive Blvd Saint Louis, MO 63130 (131) 472-5526
Asa Christian
Academy Daycare / Preschool (Christian)
100% PK-K
8390 Latty Ave Hazelwood, MO 63042 (314) 524-4272
Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School (Catholic)
Add to Compare
100%
9-12
701 N Spring Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63108 (314) 446-5500
Carver Christian Academy (Christian)
100%
New City
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Get to know
New City coffee
Join school representatives for coffee and conversation from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday Oct. 16, 2024, to learn about New City curriculum and community from Head of School Alexis Wright. Tours of the historic school will also be available. This event is geared towards adults, but children are welcome to attend.
7203 Paseo Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64132 (816) 361-1548
Future Apostle Academy
100% PK-9
563 Springhurst Pkwy O Fallon, MO 63368 (636) 249-6455
Glad Tidings
Christian Academy & Child Development
Daycare / Preschool (Assembly of God)
100%
PK-K
2830 E 60th Street
Kansas City, MO 64130 (816) 333-1054
Harvest Christian School (Pentecostal)
100%
PK-8
4300 N Corrington Ave
Kansas City, MO 64117 (816) 455-2847
Immaculate Conception School (Catholic)
100% PK-8 120 Maryknoll Rd
New City Fall Open House
New City School’s annual Fall Open House sessions are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Saturday November 16, 2024. The visit includes a look at reimagined and renovated Early Childhood classrooms and attendees can learn more about school curriculum and community at the morning event. Both sessions include a welcome, tour, and time for questions. This event is designed for grown-ups, although children are welcome to attend. Applicant children will have dedicated opportunities to visit our school this winter.
Old Monroe, MO 63369 (363) 665-5463
Loyola Academy of St.
Louis
All-boys (Catholic)
100%
6-8
3851 Washington Blvd
Saint Louis, MO 63108 (314) 531-9091
Muhammad Islamic Academy (Islamic)
100%
PK-8
3625 N Garrison Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63107 (314) 495-6316
Oak Bridge
100%
PK-6
615 Dunn Rd Hazelwood, MO 63042 (314) 495-6145
Paseo Baptist Learning Center
Daycare / Preschool (Baptist)
100% 2501 Paseo Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64108 (816) 921-6842
Poverty Ridge Amish School
All-girls (Amish)
100%
Saturday Sneak Peak
The New City School annual Saturday Sneak Peak will be held 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday December 14. Further details will be announced at the school’s website, www.newcityschool.org/
Founded in 1969, New City School is in a Central West End residential area. Its three floors of classrooms are in a turnof-the-century building that includes a full-size gymnasium, 250-seat theater, three science labs, and dedicated spaces for art, performing arts, music, athletics, technology, and Spanish instruction.
Students have access to a light-filled dining hall
2-7 Rr 1 Box 160d
Mercer, MO 64661
River Roads Lutheran School (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
100%
PK-8
8623 Church Rd
Saint Louis, MO 63147 (314) 388-0300
Rolla Seventh-day Adventist School (Seventh Day Adventist)
100%
4-7
814 Highway O Rolla, MO 65401 (573) 364-2041
St. Gertrude School (Catholic)
100%
PK-8
6520 State Road Yy Washington, MO 63090 (636) 239-2347
St. Louis Catholic Academy (Catholic)
100%
K-8
4720 Carter Ave Saint Louis, MO 63115 (314) 389-0401
with indoor and outdoor
eating spaces, a multi-level library, a state-of-theart innovation lab and teaching kitchen, extensive green space, and two playgrounds.
Forest Park is a short walk away from New City’s five-acre campus, which allows students to enjoy its natural beauty and nearby world-class cultural institutions. Annual field trips include visits to Confluence Farms, which allows students to explore trails and the banks of the Missouri River.
Diversity is a “founding principle” of New City School. It defines diversity broadly, and intentionally to build and nurture a diverse com-
St. Louis Unified School of Sda (Seventh Day Adventist)
100%
PK-8
9001 Lucas and Hunt Rd Saint Louis, MO 63136 (314) 869-7800
St. Margaret Of Scotland School (Catholic)
100%
PK-8
3964 Castleman Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63110 (314) 776-7837
St. Martins Child Center Daycare / Preschool
100%
PK-K 6315 Garfield Saint Louis, MO 63140 (314) 524-4719
St. Matthew Lutheran School (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) 100%
NS-6
5403 Wren Avenue Saint Louis, MO 63120 (314) 261-7708 Scholar’s Academy
munity. It is crucial for children to understand, commit to, and seek out diversity in school and in life.
Serving ages 3 through 6th grade, New City School offers a ‘Variable Tuition’ program. Its need-based tuition assistance program is like those used by many private schools, colleges, and universities. This program allows families to apply for reduced tuition that is right for their families’ financial situation.
This helps make a New City School education affordable to many qualified students who could not otherwise join our school community. As a result, students will continue to represent a
(Christian)
100%
PK-5
4500 Pope Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63115 (314) 534-4500
Storman Lions Leadership Academy
100%
PK-8
10600 Bellefontaine Rd
Saint Louis, MO 63137 (314) 395-1200
Twin Oaks Christian School (Christian)
100%
NS-8
1230A Big Bend Road Ballwin, MO 63021 (636) 861-1901
100% 7203 Paseo Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64132 (816) 361-1548
26. Salem Lutheran School (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) 99%
PK-8
5190 Parker Rd Florissant, MO 63033 (314) 741-8220
broad range of socio-economic backgrounds, enhancing the learning experience for every New City student and strengthening and sustaining our commitment to middle class families and socio-economic diversity.
The application for Variable Tuition through Clarity will be available after November 1, 2024, and is due by January 31, 2025, along with applications for admission. Inquiries about the variable tuition process should be directed to Abby Hillman, director of admission & enrollment management at ahillman@newcityschool.org
St. Louis American
Darryl T. Jones, a 1973 SLUH graduate who now serves on the school’s Board of Trustees, participated in a panel discussion in February 2024, Black History Month, on the historical significance of the Black community at the high school.
“We wanted to really take advantage of Mr. Jones because we think that it’s really historically significant that we have the first Black president of the Board of Trustees,” said English teacher Frank Kovarik.
Jones is a managing partner for D&D Concessions, a partner in JHL Concessions and the president of TRI-TEC. He started his career as a mathematics instructor in the Upward Bound program at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, and later held leadership positions at Southwestern Bell.
Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Saint Louis University, and an MBA in finance from Webster University. He is a member of several community boards, including the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, MERS Missouri Goodwill and Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. He also led fundraising efforts to establish SLU’s Pioneers of Inclusion Scholarship, which marked the 70th
SLUH ACES program
Darryl T. Jones serves as SLUH’s first Black board chair
anniversary of the University’s formal integration.
The event was hosted by the Association for Cultural Enrichment at SLUH (ACES.)
ACES encourages awareness and discussion of diversity issues and making SLUH a place where all students feel welcome. The club meets regularly, and all students are welcome.
Under ACES, SLUH offers a series of affinity and alliance groups that are open to all students and seek to create spaces for shared conversation, fellowship and initiatives.
They include:
Anti-Racist Coalition
The Anti-Racist Coalition explores implicit biases and systemic racism while seeking to effectively eliminate these evils. The club continually works toward equality for all races and strives to undo racism in the psyches, in the immediate environment and in the wider world.
Asian Student Alliance
The Asian Student Alliance (ASA) offers students of Asian Pacific heritage opportunities to celebrate diverse Asian heritages while educating and enriching the school community with that diversity. Club members share their unique cultural heritages and experiences at SLUH, while accompanying each other in their
SLUH senior Courtney
high school journey.
Black Student Union
The Black Student Union offers a safe space for African American students to discuss relevant issues that impact their emotional wellbeing. Open to all students, BSU offers an intimate setting especially for African American students while challenging traditional dogmas of society that have had a lasting stigma of exclusivity.
Hispanos Y Latinos Unidos Hispanos y Latinos
Unidos welcomes all SLUH students, espe-
cially Hispanic and Latinos, to be part of a group that spends time together and shares experiences and perspectives. The club engages in many group activities to strengthen the brotherhood, or “la hermandad,” among Latino students and the overall school community.
SLUH Students for Gender Equality
SLUH Students for Gender Equality (SLUH4GE, pronounced “SLUH Forge”) seeks to acknowledge, educate club members, and spread awareness of issues regarding gender equality
at SLUH and beyond. The club often discusses the way in which women are treated and perceived, as well as societal views of masculinity.
SLUH receives STEM grant
SLUH has received a $10 million gift commitment from Bob Conrads, a 1965 graduate, and his wife Sherry to strengthen the academic program in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), according to the SLUH student newspaper Prep News
“We are very grateful to Bob and Sherry for their incredible generosity,” says SLUH President Alan Carruthers.
“Their transformational gift represents the largest donation to a specific program in our school history and will further distinguish our robust STEM program. It will also advance our Jesuit tradition of making a premier education accessible to young men from all walks of life, regardless of economic circumstances.”
Following SLUH, Conrads earned a B.S. and M.S. in Atomic Physics at the Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as an MBA from Harvard University. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions in multiple industries, including co-founder and CEO/CIO of Colchis Capital; senior
partner at McKinsey & Co., managing director and lobal head of technology, non-Japan Asia and Israel Investment Banking with Credit Suisse First Boston; CEO of Indigo America; CFO of Indigo NV; and founder and chair of Marlette Funding.
Conrads, a member of the SLUH Endowment Investment Committee, has served as an active business and financial advisor on boards of private and public companies throughout the world.
SLUH, recognized by Newsweek as a Top STEM School in America in 2020, empowers students to discover new levels of ingenuity, innovation and entrepreneurialism through a diverse array of clubs and immersion experiences, robust technology and facilities, and a strong academic curriculum. The school has distinguished itself not only in St. Louis, but also in secondary and higher education nationally, by offering need-blind admission for decades.
SLUH is providing financial assistance of $4.6 million this year alone to 46% of students. This allows the student body to reflect the geographic, socio-economic and ethnic diversity of the greater St. Louis region, with students coming from 88 zip codes and 157 middle schools.
Photo courtesy of Clark Davis
Lucas (center) moderated a panel discussion in February 2024, Black History Month, on the historical significance of the Black community at the high school. Seated behind Lucas is 1973 SLUH graduate Darryl T. Jones, chair of the SLUH Board of Trustees.
Marian
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leadership abilities, and develop self-confidence.
Marian’s dedication to excellence in STEM education is evident through its award-winning all-girls robotics team, which has secured top honors in St. Louis competitions for five consecutive years.
NaKaila Campbell has a successful career after first putting on her uniform for her first day at Marian Middle School in 2014. She had toured the school’s campus and immediately felt a part of the sisterhood of students and was ready to step into her own light.
“I knew from the first day that Marian was
the place for me,” said Campbell.
“Throughout my three years in middle school, I grew as a student and a young woman. I chose to attend Nerinx Hall High School, where I was a scholar-athlete and student ambassador.”
“Marian Middle School is one of the best kept secrets in St. Louis,” said Kelly Foster, mother of two Marian Middle School students, calls Marian “one of the best kept secrets in St. Louis.
“The staff and faculty at Marian work tirelessly to support students from 6th grade through post-secondary education. Marian cares for the educational, social and emotional wellbeing of girls. Their impact reaches far beyond the many fam-
ilies of young women it enrolls yearly; Marian is truly a community change maker,” she said.
Investing beyond middle school
Marian’s journey with its graduates continues well beyond their middle school years.
The school’s unique Graduate Support Program provides personalized guidance to graduates on high school placement, financial aid applications (including navigating the complexities of FAFSA), and even college internship opportunities.
Isabella Rayford, a native of St. Louis from the Ferguson area, graduated from Marian Middle School and later from Incarnate Word Academy. She earned
more than $720,000 in scholarship offers from various institutions to fund her four-year college education.
Rayford had her pick of more than ten universities and colleges, ultimately choosing Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. There she is pursuing a degree in computer science focusing on cybersecurity, reflecting the aspirations of many alumnae pursuing careers in STEM fields.
In 2024, all Marian Middle School’s
alumnae graduated from high school with 100% continuing to postsecondary programs, surpassing national averages. The school is expanding its Graduate Support Program to further enhance workforce readiness. Many graduates are thriving in internships and careers at leading institutions such as Bayer, Ascension, Midwest Employers Casualty, and Google.
“Marian Middle School provided me with the foundation I needed to succeed,” said
From left, Marian Middle School students Hannah F. and Myracle P. headed to class on the first day of school, August 8, 2024. It was the opening day of Marian’s 25th year of providing a high-achievement education in
alumnus Madison
“The school’s commitment to its students extends far beyond the classroom, offering guidance and support that have shaped me into the person I am today. I am forever grateful for the opportunities and experiences Marian provided.”
To learn more about Marian Middle School›s mission and admissions process or how you can support their work in empowering young women, visit their website at https:// marianmiddleschool.org/
Jackson.
the Tower Grove South neighborhood.
Taliiy’n J., a current student, shares a hug with Marian Middle School alumnus Laila T. on the first day of school in August.
Photo courtesy of Mena Darre photograph
Photo courtesy of Mena Darre photograph