School Statements

 St. Mary's Academy

St. Mary’s Academy was founded by the Sisters of the Holy Family in 1867. St. Mary’s is a Catholic college preparatory middle and high school for young women in grades six through twelve. Emphasis is placed on the development of the whole person academically, physically, socially, morally, culturally, and spiritually. Students are taught to live Christian values, give service, act responsibly, and think critically in a global society. The school has been fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1947.

ST. AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL

St. Augustine High School was founded in 1951 and from its inception has been owned and conducted by St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart (The Josephite Fathers and Brothers). An integral part of the Archdiocesan Development Plan of Archbishop Joseph Rummel, St. Augustine was established as the first Roman Catholic School for African-American Boys in New Orleans. The motto of St. Augustine High School, Gratia est Vita—Grace is Life, is taken from our great patron, St. Augustine of Hippo, the North African scholar, bishop, and Doctor of the Church.

St. Augustine High School has been committed to a program of excellence in academics, athletics, the arts, and discipline from the day of its founding. Its alumni have gone on to make an extremely significant mark not only in the city of New Orleans, but throughout the country. St. Augustine Alumni have been prepared to fight the good fight of social and racial equality since the days when St. Augustine High School itself lead the way in desegregating the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and New Orleans Mardi Gras Parades. Among its alumni, St. Augustine boasts 6 Presidential Scholars. The St. Augustine "Marching 100" is one of the most renowned high school bands in the country, recently performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving day Parade.

St. Augustine men are known for the deep loyalty they have for the alma mater. Alumni Clubs dedicated to the support of the school and the continuation of its mission can be found in Houston, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Atlanta, GA, and Washington, DC. This dedication to St. Augustine and gratitude for what the school has meant to so many, spurs us on during this time of transition to do all in our means to see to it that the Sons of the Gold and Purple will Rise!

XAVIER UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY

Xavier University Preparatory School was founded by St. Katharine Drexel in 1915, to provide education for African-American students. Her focus was to train teachers to begin educational institutions throughout the south. In 1925, the school added college classes. In 1932, the college moved to the Carrollton area of New Orleans and the Preparatory School remained in uptown New Orleans. The School was co-ed until 1971.

The Philosophy of Xavier Prep is to train Christian Leaders to serve in a global community. Prep leaders have made a difference in families and communities. Our motto, "God helping, we fear nothing," guides us today.