PrepschoolProfiles.com-Shattuck St. Mary's School

Shattuck St. Mary's School
Faribault, Minnesota 55021
Telephone: 507-333-1618
Fax: 507-333-1661

Enrollment:
Boarding: 232
Day: 78

2009-2010 Costs:
Tuition:
Boarding: $36,950
Day: $23,950

Shattuck St. Mary's School
Fairbault, Minnesota 55021

Overview
Shattuck St. Mary's School is a coeducational boarding and day school whose rigorous academic, arts, and athletic programs foster excellence, self-confidence, and well-roundedness—all in the context of strong Midwestern values. One of the oldest boarding schools in the Midwest, Shattuck St. Mary's has been preparing graduates for entrance into selective colleges and universities around the world for more than 140 years.

Founded as an Episcopal mission school in 1858, the School today encompasses 250 acres on a wooded hilltop overlooking the Straight River and the city of Faribault. This community of 19,000 is located approximately 50 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul. These metropolitan areas provide numerous cultural opportunities for students.

The campus, with its tree-lined streets and fine neo-Gothic buildings, is a vivid reminder of old English boarding schools. Many of the buildings, constructed in the 1800s of native blue limestone, are on the National Register of Historic Places, and the entire campus has been designated a National Historic District. The School's plant is valued at $31 million, and its endowment is $13 million.

Last year, Shattuck St. Mary's had 310 students, with 232 boarders and 78 day students in grades 6 12 and the postgraduate program. There were 47 students in grade 9, 86 in grade 10, 65 in grade 11, and 57 in grade 12. The Middle School had an enrollment of 55. Students came from thirty-two states and thirteen countries.

Although an integral part of the larger School, the Middle School, with its separate faculty, facilities, and programs, meets the special developmental needs of sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students. Middle School students have their own athletic programs but may play on Upper School teams when age, experience, and ability permit.

The primary goal of Shattuck St. Mary's is to prepare each student not just for college but for a confident adult life. Student involvement in residential and extracurricular activities is encouraged. Weekly religious services and courses in ethics and values allow students of all faiths to explore questions of the spirit in an open, rational, and supportive atmosphere. A 20-hour-per-year community service requirement supports students' growth into responsible, contributing citizens.

Shattuck St. Mary's School is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and holds membership in the National Association of Episcopal Schools, the National Association of Independent Schools, the Secondary School Admission Test Board, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and the Midwest Boarding Schools Association.

Academic Life/Programs of Study
The course of study at Shattuck St. Mary's is demanding. The curriculum includes more than 100 courses of instruction. Students carry five or six subjects each term.

Advanced Placement courses are available in English, calculus, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology, U.S. history, European history, French, Spanish, Latin, and other subjects as interest permits. Students may take advanced independent study under the supervision of a faculty member.

In order to graduate, a student must successfully complete 4 years of English, 3 years of mathematics, 3 years of science, 3 years of history, 2 consecutive years of the same foreign language, and 1 term per year of fine arts. Depending on the grade level, there are also required one-term courses in the Bible and computers.

Extensive course offerings in choral and instrumental music, drama, and dance, plus plentiful opportunities to perform on campus and tour both domestically and abroad, make it possible for young artists to pursue preprofessional training within a college-preparatory program. The School also offers English as a second language at three levels of proficiency and prepares students for the Test of English as a Foreign Language.

The average class size of 14 students allows each student to receive individualized attention from his or her instructors. Mandatory evening study halls help develop sound study habits and self-discipline. Daily extra-help periods provide opportunities for personal attention and guidance.

The academic year is divided into trimesters. Grades and comments are sent to students and their parents twice each trimester. In addition to letter grades, students receive "effort grades."

Faculty, Advisors and College Placement
At the heart of Shattuck St. Mary's is an excellent faculty. Collectively, they offer a wealth of experiences in working with young people of diverse cultural backgrounds. By virtue of their many roles—classroom teacher, dorm parent, coach, adviser—faculty members get to know students on a personal basis. They invest themselves in their students and express personal interest in each student's growth and development. Much like parents, faculty members are there to provide encouragement, guidance, and support as needed. Each student has an adviser who serves as an academic and general counselor and who communicates frequently with parents regarding their child's progress.

Forty-four faculty members and administrators, along with their families, live on campus. Twenty-eight faculty members hold master's degrees, and 2 have doctoral degrees.

Gregory J. Kieffer was appointed Head of School in 1993. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy (B.S., 1969) and the University of Washington (M.S., 1973). Prior to his appointment as Head of School, Mr. Kieffer taught chemistry, chaired the science department, and served as Director of Studies at Shattuck St. Mary's. He joined the faculty in 1974. The School's college admissions counselors provide college information to all students, beginning in grade 11. In addition to hosting more than 50 college representatives each year, the School keeps a collection of application forms, brochures, and catalogs on hand for the students' benefit.

In 2008, 54 of 65 graduating seniors and postgraduates elected to enter college immediately, 3 by early decision. They are attending such colleges and universities as Arizona State, Augsburg, Augustana, Boise State, Boston College, Boston University, Bowling Green, Carleton, Clark, Colby, Colgate, Colorado College, Cornell, George Washington, Grinnell, Gustavus Adolphus, Hamilton, Hamline, Harvard, Hobart, Holy Cross, Indiana, Mercyhurst, Miami (Ohio), Ohio State, Providence, Rensselaer, St. Cloud State, Smith, SUNY College at Brockport, U.S. Air Force Academy, and the Universities of Arizona, British Columbia, Findlay, Idaho, Minnesota, Redlands, and Wisconsin.

Campus Life and Activities
Students are expected to live within the rules and regulations outlined in the Student Handbook. These rules and regulations are explained carefully during the orientation period at the beginning of the school year and during the year whenever the need is evident. Because positive reinforcement is the Academy's main disciplinary tool, students earn privileges by increasing levels of responsibility.

Students elect representatives from their class to serve on a Student Council at both the Middle School and Upper School levels. Because Shattuck St. Mary's is committed to traditional standards of conduct, there is a dress code. Most disciplinary matters are handled by the Middle School Director or the Upper School Dean. The School has a "zero tolerance" policy on the use of drugs.
Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 8, followed by classes from 8 until 3:20. There is a 45-minute break for a sit-down lunch, which students and teachers attend together. All teachers set aside specific times for conferences and extra help. Intramural and interscholastic athletics, as well as drama practices, take place between 4 and 5:45. Dinner is at 5:45 and is followed by a free period until 8. Evening study hall, from 8 to 10, is required of all students. Lights-out is at 10:45 Sunday Thursday, and in-dorm times vary by grade Friday and Saturday.

Some fifteen clubs and organizations are supported by the School and provide opportunities for leadership, creativity, and interaction. The School hosts a full calendar of varsity sports, movies, plays, guest speakers, dances, socials, musical programs, and other cultural activities. The Student Activities Committee, headed by a faculty adviser, arranges on-campus movies, dances, and theatrical and musical performances. Dormitories occasionally plan their own cookouts and excursions. In the winter, chaperoned ski trips are frequently arranged. Special on-campus weekends are Fall Family Weekend, Winter Carnival, and Commencement. Students are allowed to go downtown during weekends. In addition, frequent chaperoned trips to Minneapolis/St. Paul, the Guthrie Theatre, Northrup Auditorium at the University of Minnesota, and the Science Museum of Minnesota expose students to theater, musicals, ballet, modern dance, and concerts of all types.

Athletics
Athletics are offered on both interscholastic and intramural levels. The interscholastic sports include baseball, basketball, fencing, golf, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track, and volleyball. Most of these teams are governed by the rules of the Minnesota State High School League. Intramural sports focus on the individual student's recreational interests. Aerobics, biking, body conditioning, cross-country skiing, fencing, hiking, ice-skating, and swimming are available.

Facilities include two gymnasiums, eight tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, an indoor ice arena, an all-weather outdoor track, three soccer fields, and an eighteen-hole golf course.

Facilities and Services
Four academic buildings house classrooms (all with Internet access), a computer center, science labs, an art studio, a dance studio, a darkroom, physical education facilities, and a library with 20,000 volumes and an extensive collection of periodicals. There is a performing arts auditorium with a complete stage for theatrical productions. There are two girls' and three boys' dormitories for Upper School students. (Middle School students are housed separately.) Most students share a room with a roommate; however, there are some single rooms available. Faculty members act as dorm parents. All dorms are equipped with private telephones and Internet and e-mail access.

Other facilities include two dining rooms, a student common room, and a school store. The infirmary is staffed by 3 nurses who provide coverage during the academic day. A district hospital is a mile from campus, and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester is 50 miles away.

Admissions, Cost and Financial Aid
Last year , tuition for seven-day boarders was $36,950 and covered instruction, room, and board. Day-student tuition was $23,950. Tuition may be paid all at once, or a family may choose a monthly payment plan. Incidental expenses usually run from $1000 to $1500, books from $300 to $400. Each student is expected to maintain an incidental account for personal needs.

Shattuck St. Mary's offers need-based financial aid to qualified families. All financial aid grants are based on the guidelines and principles established by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid. The School encourages all families who need tuition assistance to apply for financial aid. Last year, more than 50 percent of the student body qualified for financial aid, with grants totaling $1.5 million.

The Headmaster's Scholarship Program awards six scholarships worth $7,500 for students with outstanding academic ability and a potential for contributing to the school community in other areas, such as athletics, art, music, drama, and student government. All application materials for the Headmaster's Scholarship Program must be completed by March 1.

The Performing Arts Scholarship program awards eight scholarships worth $5000 to students who excel in dance, drama, or music. The scholarship competition is open to students entering grades 6 11. Auditions are held on campus in January, February, March, and May. Shattuck St. Mary's seeks students of above-average ability who are willing to take full advantage of the School's demanding academic program and broad range of extracurricular activities. The School admits qualified students without regard to race, color, or national or ethnic origin. A personal interview on campus is desirable, but an interview with an alumni representative may be arranged if it is impossible for the applicant to visit the School. Previous school records, the results of the Secondary School Admission Test or other comparable tests, and recommendations are required of all candidates.

Last year, about 320 students applied for admission, with acceptances granted to 193. More than half of the 132 new students entered the ninth and tenth grades.
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis after January 15. Interested candidates are urged to begin the application process at the earliest possible date. Inquiries may be made at any time. There is a $30 application fee ($50 for international students).

Admissions Contact:
Director of Admissions
Shattuck St. Mary's School
Faribault, Minnesota 55021
Telephone: 1-800-421-2724
E-mail: admissions@s-sm.orr
http://www.s-sm.org