About Us

Mission and History

History of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish School
St. Margaret of Scotland school has been developing great students and great people from its original building in South St. Louis since 1918.  Located in the heart of historic Shaw Neighborhood, our school attracts a diverse population from various backgrounds and persuasions.

As a parochial school, we are closely affiliated with our home parish, St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church.  Likewise, we are under the auspices of the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis.  We are accredited by the National Nonpublic School State Accrediting Association. 

The St. Margaret of Scotland school mission has always been to provide an outstanding learning environment in which children are challenged to meet their potential and recognize their gifts in mind, body and spirit.  We focus upon each child as an individual with unique strengths and talents, reaching out to each one at his or her own intellectual level.  In 2010, we earned the much coveted, national honor of being named a Blue Ribbon school of excellence. 

Our enrollment also includes 20-30% non-Catholic students.  The reason is both simple and profound:  their parents know that St. Margaret’s offers an exceptional education rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and an abiding respect for fellow human beings.
It is our commitment to welcome all children into the community, regardless of race, creed or national origin.

St. Margaret of Scotland School is a Catholic grade school with:

  • 2 different pre-school programs – Montessori and Theme-based -  for 3, 4 and 5 year olds,
  • a traditional kindergarten program in which children learn essential social skills,  how to read, a strong number sense and how to love God.
  • grades 1 through 5 in which students build strong foundations in academics, the arts and their faith.
  • a Jr. High in which students prepare academically for high school and college and spiritually for a present and a future dedicated to service in God’s name.

PS: A school does not earn the national distinction of being named a Blue  Ribbon school without maintaining high academic standards.  We take that one step further and call our students to be persons of faith

Student body: 350+ students
Composition: Catholic 75%, Other Faiths 25%
Caucasian 70%, Other Races 30%
Total Scholarships awarded: $75,000.00

St. Margaret students consistently score higher than the national and archdiocesan average on standardized tests in Reading, Language Arts, Math Science and Social Studies.  Each year, our graduates are admitted to their first choice of Catholic high schools: St. Louis University High School, Rosati-Kain, DeSmet, Nerix Hall, and other premier Catholic college preparatory schools.

Mission Statement

St. Margaret of Scotland Parish School is a diverse, urban, vibrant and inclusive Catholic community. We are committed to providing an outstanding learning environment for children, pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, in which they are challenged to meet their academic potential and recognize their giftedness in body, mind and spirit. Our students embody the example of our patron saint by becoming responsible leaders and caretakers of our community through works of service and social justice.

Statement of Beliefs

We Believe that…

  • We are a school guided by Catholic teaching and gospel values.
  • We are called to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ in our teaching.
  • All Children have distinctive gifts that need to be discovered and developed.
  • Faith is handed on by living, teaching and participating in the liturgy and the sacraments.
  • Self-discipline is essential to growth.
  • Learning is a rewarding, life-long process.
  • Diversity is enriching.
  • Every individual deserves respect.
  • Education is a family-school endeavor with parents/guardians as the primary educators.
  • Education should meet the needs of the student’s spirit, mind and body.
  • The school, the parish, and the community are interdependent.
  • The school plays an integral role in forming a community of faith with other members of the parish and the neighborhood.
  • Catholic education emphasizes a commitment to peace and justice for all humankind.
  • Catholic education fosters missionary spirit and almsgiving, encouraging students to reach out to the wider local and global community.
  • Service is the avenue for children to learn understanding and compassion.