In the fall of 1997, a committee of educators at St. Louis University High School convened to discuss the problems of low-income students and to explore ways to assist them. After a review of various approaches, they selected the "Nativity School" model that had been developed at a Jesuit parish in New York City in the early 1970's, and had been replicated in almost twenty other locations around the country.
Through the 1998-99 academic year, the Loyola staff laid the groundwork for the new school. A Board of Trustees was recruited, funding was obtained from a range of sources, a donated building was secured and renovated, a principal and school staff were hired, a curriculum and adjunct program developed. The Jesuits of the Missouri Province agreed to sponsor the school and Loyola Academy of St. Louis opened its doors to its first class of 6th graders in July 1999. A 7th grade was added in 2000, and an 8th grade in 2001. Loyola graduated its first 8th grade class in May 2002. In the fall of 2008, the school will begin its 10th year of operation.
Loyola Academy is a Jesuit middle school for boys in grades 6 through 8, with a maximum of 20 students per grade. The school's mission is to serve boys who have the potential for college preparatory work, but who are in danger of failing to achieve that potential because of poverty, residence in distressed neighborhoods, or other social or economic factors. Loyola is a Catholic school but the vast majority of its students come from other religious backgrounds and the faith tradition of each boy is respected.
In addition to a rigorous academic program that enables its graduates to succeed in college-prep high schools, the school offers its students a range of other services including, counseling, tutoring, enrichment activities, sports, recreation and referral to other services intended to ensure their success. All boys participate in a school day that runs from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.; students also attend two Saturday morning sessions per month and a 6-week summer term. The school is located in two renovated buildings in the Grand Center neighborhood and is financially accessible for all boys who pay only a small tuition, set up on a sliding scale based on family income.
The Loyola Academy approach seems to work. Each fall, students who attend Loyola are given the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, a standardized test that had been administered to them a year before. The average Loyola student, through the course of 3 years at our school, has raised his score 25 or more percentile points -- a major improvement, especially when many students from similar backgrounds experience declining scores through the middle school years.
Loyola currently has graduates attending the following area high schools: Altoff Catholic High School, Bishop DuBourg, Cardinal Ritter, Career Academy, Christian Brothers College, Crossroads, Trinity Catholic High School, St. John the Baptist, St. Louis University High, St. Mary's High School, and Westminster Christian Academy. In the fall, we are pleased to announce that Loyola graduates will also be attending DeSmet Jesuit High School.
Such success is a function of: a) an approach that is being refined in similar schools across the country; b) Loyola's exceptionally qualified and committed faculty; c) the generosity of many donors; d) the guidance of an active and energetic Board; e) the contributions of volunteers from many sectors of the community. After six years of operation, Loyola seems to be on the right track.