Marian Middle School in St. Louis — Supporting Girls in Middle School and Beyond

By Barbara Roche SL

One of my favorite things about Marian Middle School in St. Louis is their motto, “Once a Marian Girl, always a Marian Girl.” Marian, sponsored by seven communities of religious women, including Loretto, opened its doors in 2000 and has since educated more than 350 girls. During middle school, Marian offers a challenging academic program, student and family emotional and social supports and opportunities for students to grow through a variety of co-curricular activities.

But what really sets Marian apart is the graduate support program that assists students through high school, college and into their careers. The program starts when girls are in middle school, partnering with colleges and universities to provide on-campus experiences for the students, as well as engaging professional women to share their career experiences with the students.

In 8th grade, the Graduate Support program helps students and their families explore options for challenging, college prep high schools and find the right match. Marian provides financial assistance for students who attend tuition-based high schools and staff visit all high schoolers regularly to ensure they are on track and receiving help when needed. Marian also connects students with internships at cultural institutions and businesses as well as offering trips to visit colleges during spring break and summer. Typically, 100% of Marian girls graduate high school.

Since almost all Marian grads are the first in their families to attend college, the Graduate Support staff assist them and their families through the college application process, including applying for financial aid. All Marian alums who graduated high school in 2025 are enrolled in college. The Graduate Support staff continue to check in with them throughout their college years, with care packages at exam time and offers of help to apply for financial aid. Some of Marian’s partners in the St. Louis business community also offer summer internships for Marian alums while they are in college. Over the past 25 years, more than 60 Marian girls have graduated college, and a number have completed master’s degrees or other advanced degrees, including two law school grads.

Loretto can be proud of being a part of Marian’s mission to break the cycle of poverty by providing a life-altering education. As Madison, a Marian grad says, “Marian has been instrumental in shaping my educational journey for over a decade. From middle school to college, Marian’s impact on my character and education has been profound.”

(Photos courtesy of Marian Middle School)