St. Mary’s and UMSL Create Partnership for Students, Staff
Date Posted: August 25, 2026
Posted In: News, Organizations, Workforce,
From St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The University of Missouri–St. Louis and St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School signed a three-year agreement Tuesday that offers educational opportunities for students and staff on both campuses.
Under the agreement, St. Mary’s graduates who qualify to attend UMSL are guaranteed a minimum $5,250 merit scholarship each year. UMSL also will provide admissions and financial counseling to the high school students, along with opportunities to visit the university’s campus.
Annual tuition at UMSL is about $17,000 depending on the program. Tuition at St. Mary’s High School is $13,500. About 90% of students at both schools receive financial aid.
Through the partnership, college students majoring in education at UMSL will have opportunities to work as student teachers at St. Mary’s.
The Dutchtown institution opened in 1931, and now is the most diverse Catholic boys’ high school with Black and Hispanic students making up more than half of its enrollment of about 270. Most students receive scholarships to attend.
Very few St. Mary’s graduates have matriculated to UMSL over the years, said Reggie Hill, UMSL’s vice chancellor for strategic enrollment and career advancement.
The primary benefit of the partnership is “providing every young man with the option of college admission,” Hill said.
UMSL hopes to form similar partnerships with other schools and districts and has had discussions with Catholic girls’ high school Rosati-Kain about guaranteed scholarships, Hill added.
Many St. Mary’s students are the first in their families to graduate high school, said Joe Green, P.E. teacher and the father of a freshman. The partnership with UMSL removes psychological and financial barriers to show students that “college is attainable for everyone,” he said.