About St. Mary's SSC
St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School, founded in 1931, has been an integral part of the City of St. Louis' Dutchtown neighborhood. The campus covers more than 27 acres and includes a blend of modern academic classrooms and collegiate-level sports facilities.
St. Mary’s South Side Catholic remains on the leading edge of secondary education and has continued to accomplish this at a tuition cost that is significantly less than other all-male secondary schools in the St. Louis area. More than 12,000 graduates can testify to the quality of the St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School academic curriculum. However, academics are only one piece of the educational experience students receive. Rich in Marianist tradition, students are encouraged to explore their minds and grow not only intellectually but emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
COAT OF ARMS OF ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL
The figure of Our Lady of the Pillar signifies the origins of the Society of Mary. It was at the shrine in Saragossa, Spain (where Chaminade was in exile from 1797-1800) that Blessed Chaminade was inspired to found the Society of Mary and the Daughters of Mary Immaculate.
The SM on the seal stands for Saint Mary.
The cross is a reminder of the life and death of Jesus.
The scroll with Fortes in Fide (Strong in Faith) is a summary of the teaching of Blessed Chaminade and the spirit of the Marianist Family. It is through faith that we accomplish our mission.
The scroll with Per Matrem ad Filium (Through the Mother to the Son) is the dominant idea for the Society of Mary and the Family of Mary.
The lilies and roses signify Mary as the unspotted lily and mystical rose who wishes to see in our hearts the lilies of innocence and roses of charity.
The fleur-de-lis and the crown refer to St. Louis.
St. Mary’s South Side Catholic remains on the leading edge of secondary education and has continued to accomplish this at a tuition cost that is significantly less than other all-male secondary schools in the St. Louis area. More than 12,000 graduates can testify to the quality of the St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School academic curriculum. However, academics are only one piece of the educational experience students receive. Rich in Marianist tradition, students are encouraged to explore their minds and grow not only intellectually but emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
COAT OF ARMS OF ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL
The figure of Our Lady of the Pillar signifies the origins of the Society of Mary. It was at the shrine in Saragossa, Spain (where Chaminade was in exile from 1797-1800) that Blessed Chaminade was inspired to found the Society of Mary and the Daughters of Mary Immaculate.The SM on the seal stands for Saint Mary.
The cross is a reminder of the life and death of Jesus.
The scroll with Fortes in Fide (Strong in Faith) is a summary of the teaching of Blessed Chaminade and the spirit of the Marianist Family. It is through faith that we accomplish our mission.
The scroll with Per Matrem ad Filium (Through the Mother to the Son) is the dominant idea for the Society of Mary and the Family of Mary.
The lilies and roses signify Mary as the unspotted lily and mystical rose who wishes to see in our hearts the lilies of innocence and roses of charity.
The fleur-de-lis and the crown refer to St. Louis.
THE DRAGON DIFFERENCE
COMMUNITY
Spanning 27 acres, St. Mary's South Side Catholic High School is in the Dutchtown Neighborhood of South St. Louis. Over 60% of our students live within a 5-mile radius of the high school in the Dutchtown, Tower Grove Park, Carondelet, and Bevo Mill neighborhoods. In 1931, St. Mary's South Side Catholic High School opened to serve working-class families who might not otherwise afford a quality Catholic education for their sons. Almost 90 years later, St. Mary's South Side Catholic is known as one of the St. Louis community's most important secondary educational institutions.
SCHOOL
St. Mary's South Side Catholic High School is a comprehensive four-year Catholic high school enrolling roughly 226 students in grades 9 through 12. St. Mary's South Side Catholic is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). The NCA is subdivided into two special commissions: the Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The NCA CASI evaluates and accredits K-12 schools. North Central Accreditation Seals are recognized across the United States and around the world.
CURRICULUM
St. Mary's South Side Catholic's academic program is organized on a rotating block schedule (A/B days). On A days, students take four 75-minute classes. On B days, students take four different 75-minute classes. Every day (except Wednesdays), the last class is followed by an hour of Academic Lab, a time in which students meet with their adviser, listen to school announcements, meet teachers for one on one help, work on homework with the support of their advisor, or meet with club moderators. Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 2:45 p.m. However, students begin classes at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays so faculty can participate in weekly professional learning teams (PLTs).
To graduate from St. Mary's South Side Catholic High School, a student must earn 30 units of credit. St. Mary's South Side Catholic offers an array of college credit courses, and honors courses are available at every grade level. The curriculum encourages students to explore their minds and grow not only academically but personally, spiritually, and athletically. We utilize current brain research on the male adolescent and incorporate a differentiated approach to instruction to reach and teach every student that enters our doors.
To graduate from St. Mary's South Side Catholic High School, a student must earn 30 units of credit. St. Mary's South Side Catholic offers an array of college credit courses, and honors courses are available at every grade level. The curriculum encourages students to explore their minds and grow not only academically but personally, spiritually, and athletically. We utilize current brain research on the male adolescent and incorporate a differentiated approach to instruction to reach and teach every student that enters our doors.
RANKING
At St. Mary's South Side Catholic, GPA is weighted for Class Rank only. All Honors Courses and College Credit Courses are also weighted for Class Rank only as follows: Honors - .5 additional credit/College Credit - 1.0 additional credit.
MISSION
Rooted in the Marianist spirit, St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School forms all young men as leaders in a brotherhood of unity, empathy, dignity, and respect to uplift our neighborhood, community, and world.
CORE VALUES
St. Mary's Men are:
St. Mary's Men are:
- Embodied in Faith
- Empowered by Excellence
- Embraced as Family
- Enlightened through Service
- Transformed for Life