‘I had a dream …’ Nancy Wittwer SL’s dream was the impetus behind Marian Middle School’s founding

When Nancy Wittwer SL learned that a new Jesuit middle school for boys from low-income Black families was planned for St. Louis, she was prompted to ask a critical question. That question — “What about the girls?” — followed by dedicated work by Nancy and others, led to the opening of Marian Middle School in 2000. Today the school is a thriving haven of learning and safety serving girls of all backgrounds and the only private Catholic middle school in the St. Louis region that serves urban adolescent girls in a faith-based setting.

Watch the short video below to hear Nancy talk about how she got the idea for Marian Middle School.

The Marian Girl’s triumph

More than 316 girls have received a Marian education since 2000. During the past five years, 100% of Marian alums have graduated high school. Marian counts 60 alumnae in college as of this writing and 65 college graduates. Marian grads are pursuing advanced education, including Ph.D.s, law degrees and master’s degrees in social work. Many contribute to their communities through thriving careers at leading institutions. (See here for more on Marian Middle School.)

To read all the articles in the Fall 2023 issue of Loretto Magazine, click here.