Programs & Partnerships

St. Louis U. High is committed to fulfilling its equity and inclusion mission through a variety of programs, partnerships and policies.

As a natural extension of the school mission and its central, urban location, SLUH was a supporting partner in the founding of Boys Hope Girls Hope, a non-profit organization that helps academically capable and motivated children-in-need to meet their full potential. More recently, SLUH has brought education in STEM and robotics to urban middle schools through the Clavius Project. The school has also provided a curriculum development workshop to urban middle school principals, in addition to offering opportunities to identify candidates in Access Academies who have the ability to succeed at SLUH.

ACES

The Association for Cultural Enrichment at SLUH (ACES) has two goals:

Promote awareness and discussion of diversity issues at SLUH;
Make all students feel welcome at SLUH.

ACES offers students a chance to come together in weekly meetings as an affinity group devoted to understanding and dismantling racism. Through its yearly Philia Retreat, ACES provides a prayerful setting for students to consider their experiences and issues of diversity from a spiritual perspective. Through events such as film screenings, fundraising car washes, prayer services, and discussion forums, ACES gives students a chance to organize important community events, raise their voices, and have fun. ACES is moderated by English teacher Adam Cruz, with the assistance of college counselor Dan Shields.

ACES is also the umbrella organization for a series of affinity groups that give members a chance to focus on concerns related to particular parts of their identities. Visit the ACES site to learn more.

Equity & Inclusion Policies for Hiring

SLUH is an equal opportunity employer.

Our hiring process for faculty and staff positions makes every effort to identify candidates who are faith-filled, competent in their disciplines, able to engage adolescent boys in a rigorous academic program, and ultimately willing to make the words of the SLUH mission statement a lived reality.

Consistency is a top priority in hiring. Candidates for faculty and staff positions follow the same instructions, answer the same types of questions, and are judged according to the same criteria.

As we continue our initiative to enhance the racial, cultural, socioeconomic and academic diversity of our community, we consider the role that prospective candidates can play in enhancing this effort and enabling us to become a more inclusive community. In addition, as we continue to encounter new challenges in educating young men of diverse learning styles, we ask how prospective candidate can play a role in meeting their needs.

Loyola Academy

In the fall of 1997, a committee of educators at SLUH convened to discuss the challenges facing low-income students and to explore ways of assisting these students and their families. The Nativity School model emerged as one of the most compelling responses. As a result of these conversations, Loyola Academy, sponsored by the Jesuits of the Missouri Province, was founded and opened its doors to students in 1999.

Loyola Academy is a Jesuit middle school, grades six through eight. The school serves boys who have the potential for college preparatory work but whose progress may be impeded by economic or social circumstances. 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.

SLUH is proud to maintain a close relationship with Loyola, having admitted dozens of its alumni. Conversely, many SLUH alumni now work at Loyola—President Eric Clark ’83, Principal Paul Bozdech ’88, science teacher Fernando Vigil ’82, and even Business Manager Katheleen Batts, who for years worked as lead accountant at SLUH.

Parent Association for Cultural Enrichment at SLUH (PACES)

Upward Bound

This summer study skills program began at SLUH in 1966. Its original purpose was to serve at-risk students and provide them with a taste of the school. Upward Bound currently offers four weeks worth of full-day academic experiences, with a bit of recreation as well, to boys who have completed seventh grade.

The Minority Action Plan of 1991 renewed the program commitment to students of color. Since that time, students of color compose one-quarter to one-third of the Upward Bound class. In a city where many schools are still, sadly, not very racially diverse, Upward Bound offers all students a challenging academic program with classmates from a variety of backgrounds.

SLUH commits itself financially to supporting the program at an affordable cost to all families. Beyond that, financial aid is available for those who qualify. While many Upward Bound graduates do go on to attend SLUH, the majority do not. Upward Bound helps to bring students of color into the door at SLUH, but beyond this recruitment purpose it also represents an important service that SLUH provides to the St. Louis community.

Youth Leadership St. Louis

Each year, a team of SLUH students, led by moderator Tracy Lyons, participates in this program run by FOCUS St. Louis, the region’s premier leadership organization. Youth Leadership St. Louis brings together students from over 30 local high schools for a year-long series of field trips and collaborative learning activities designed to familiarize students with the challenges and opportunities facing our region. YLSL gives SLUH students experience collaborating with diverse groups of people while also guiding them to use their skills to provide leadership within SLUH.

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