St. Mary’s buys school from archdiocese for $1.5M, will teach trade skills

St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School will remain open after purchasing its property from the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

The St. Mary’s administration closed on the all-boys school for $1.5 million and will partner with SSM Health and Missouri AFL-CIO to teach students trade skills.

“We knew if we were going to stay open, we were going to have to become more than just a high school,” Mike England, president of St. Mary’s, said in a statement. “We’ve come up with a multi-part plan that we think will ensure this special place will continue its mission for future generations.”

St. Mary’s and SSM Health officials said two seniors have already been chosen to complete yearlong internships with the hospital, where they’ll learn HVAC and plumbing skills.

“The relationship we have built wit