Our Lady of the Pillar is a Catholic school comprised of three interconnected divisions: The Preschool (for ages 3 and 4), the Primary Grades (Kindergarten through Grade 5) and the Middle School (Grades 6 through 8).
Our mission, individualized and challenging curriculum and strong sense of community unite our school in the Marianist educational tradition.
We strive to work with parents to share our faith, traditions and values with our students Students attend Mass weekly and participate in religious activities throughout the year.
Our strong core curriculum, emphasizing individual strengths, is enhanced by Spanish (JrK-8), Music (K-8), Art (JK-8), Computer (JrK-8), Learning Enrichment Center (PreK-5), Algebra (7-8), and PE (K-8). We also provide many extra-curricular activities and opportunities for student service in the community.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-7
- Enrollment: 156 students
- Yearly Tuition: $6,200
- Acceptance rate: 90%
- Average class size: 15 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-7
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Mild Learning Differences, mild aspergers,
Year Founded
1938
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
156 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
4%
State avg.: 21%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
12 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
25%
Average Class Size
15 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Girls: Uniform jumper/skirt and white knit shirt; Boys, navy/khaki pants and knit shirt
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Acceptance Rate
90%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Heather Fanning
Admissions Associate
Mrs. Wuelling
Sports
Total Sports Offered
8 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
13 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Art, Bellarmine, Chess, LegoRobotics, MadScience, Magic, Newspaper, Scouts, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Band, Bell, Choir
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Yoga
Art, Bellarmine, Chess, LegoRobotics, MadScience, Magic, Newspaper, Scouts, Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
Band, Bell, Choir
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Yoga
School Notes
We are a small, Catholic school community grounded in the Marianist
tradition.We couple a structured, highly academic educational
curriculum with ongoing opportunities for hands-on learning and
critical thinking. Our teachers instill in students a sense
of personal responsibility and encourage students to take an active
role in their own learning.In keeping with the Marianist
philosophy, instruction is differentiated so that each child is
challenged at an appropriate and individualized level.
Our students are held to high academic and behavioral standards. Our parent community is very open and supportive. Some of our academic strengths and programs include:
Our students are held to high academic and behavioral standards. Our parent community is very open and supportive. Some of our academic strengths and programs include:
- Strong core curriculum (language arts, mathematics, science, social studies)
- Daily religious instruction
- Weekly Mass attendance
- Integrated preparation for the sacraments (e.g. Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation)
- Special classes in Art, Computer, Music, Physical Education, Library Science
- Spanish classes with a native Spanish speaking teacher for grades JrK through 8
- Learning Center classes (2 times per week, grades K-5): The Learning Center enables additional individualized instruction with a focus on language arts, mathematics, and social studies
- STEM classes (middle school) with LEGO Mindstorm and hands-on science experiments
- Smartboards and computers in every classroom
- Laptops, tablets, and numerous software programs available to students to reinforce and extend traditional classroom learning
- Science laboratory
- Strong parent and volunteer involvement
- Extracurricular Activities include:
- After-school KIDS rotating clubs (Lego club, Magic, Mad Science, Art Club)
- Chess Club, grades K-8
- Student quarterly newspaper, grades 6-8
- Bellarmine Speech Team, grades 5-8
- Children's Choir, grades 3-8
- Children's Bell Choir, grades 5-8
- Band, grades 4-8
- Yearbook, grades 6-8
- Yoga Club, grades K-8
- Homework Help Club, grades 1-8
- Numerous CYC sports teams (baseball, softball, golf, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading)
- The school makes available an optional hot lunch program. Before school care is included in the school program from 7:15 a.m. until 7:55 a.m.
- After-school care is an in-house program staffed by Pillar faculty. Care is available from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Our Lady Of The Pillar School cost?
Our Lady Of The Pillar School's tuition is approximately $6,200 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Our Lady Of The Pillar School?
The acceptance rate of Our Lady Of The Pillar School is 90%, which is higher than the national average of 89%.
What sports does Our Lady Of The Pillar School offer?
Our Lady Of The Pillar School offers 8 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field and Volleyball.
When is the application deadline for Our Lady Of The Pillar School?
The application deadline for Our Lady Of The Pillar School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
School Reviews
5 5/17/2016
I have three children at Our Lady of the Pillar. Our oldest son started at Pillar in the third grade and is now in sixth grade. We have a child in second grade and another child in kindergarten as well. We''ve had a wonderful experience for 4 years now and I am a big fan of the school!
The K-8 academics are rigorous and individualized. Children who are able to work ahead are consistently given enrichment opportunities and differentiated instruction. A full-time Learning Consultant also helps children who are struggling (particularly in reading or math) meet their potential as well. I''ve found Pillar's academic approach to be an excellent fit for all three of my children.
Pillar has a ton of extracurricular opportunities--sports teams, bell choir, singing choir, band, chess club, Lego Robotics, yoga, art club, Mad Science, Bellarmine Speech, and even Yearbook and the Newspaper for middle schoolers.
Students who graduate from Pillar are moving onto top private schools--SLUH, Viz, Cor Jesu, Priory, Burroughs, Chaminade, St. Joe's, DeSmet--and parents with children who have graduated already have all told me their older children were accepted into their first choice of high schools.
The school is small but enrollment has increased each year since we''ve been there. We now have a thriving pre-school with a wait list. A nice side effect of the size: everyone knows each other and children play together across the grades. The older children interact nicely with the younger children and often read to them in the classroom or help them during Mass.
I find Pillar to be a loving, Catholic community comprised of strong leaders (Father Tom, Principal Fanning, Father Oscar), experienced, caring teachers, and involved parents. The Marianist philosophy and focus on education shapes the school culture.
More than anything, though, I am happy with Pillar because my children are happy. I am also certain they are each being challenged appropriately academically and encouraged to love learning in the process.
5 12/19/2014
Two of my children currently attend OLP and we have found the quality of the curriculum and the teachers and staff to be top notch. The small class sizes allow teachers to know exactly where your child is academically and challenge him/her appropriately. The warm school community provides a nurturing environment for our children and has been a tremendous source of support for our family. We could not be happier with our choice to send our children to OLP.
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