Expanding Our Legacy Of Excellence

Marmion Together: Co-Education Transition
Frequently Asked Questions

Updated February 25, 2026

Q: What is the planned co-educational model?

A: Marmion’s co-educational model is intentionally designed to combine the best of both worlds, pairing the strengths of single-gender academic experiences with the opportunities of a co-educational community. In freshmen and sophomore years, students will take their core academic courses in single-gender classrooms, helping them build confidence, develop their voice, and grow in an environment where they feel known and supported.

This approach helps lay the foundation for both a strong brotherhood and a strong sisterhood. As students move into their junior and senior years, they come together more fully in co-educational academic settings, building on that foundation as they collaborate, communicate, and learn alongside one another.

Throughout all four years, students also share co-educational experiences across campus life, including leadership courses (JROTC or LEAD), advanced and dual credit classes, extracurricular activities, Mass, and specialized electives. These shared experiences foster collaboration, mutual respect, and a unified school community.

You can view a sample freshman and sophomore schedule here.

 

Q: How will the brotherhood continue to be preserved and cultivated, while creating a new sisterhood?

A: Marmion forms young men through the daily life of the school. That formation is rooted in the classroom, in campus ministry, and in the relationships students build with teachers, mentors, coaches, and one another. It takes shape through retreats, service, leadership opportunities, athletics, and student life. These shared experiences are where the brotherhood has grown over time.

As Marmion becomes co-ed, those same experiences will continue to shape young men, while also expanding to welcome and support young women. Academically, freshmen and sophomores will take core classes in single-gender classrooms, providing an environment designed to build confidence, minimize distractions, and strengthen academic foundations. Students will also come together in co-ed settings throughout the school day and across the full Marmion experience.

The Saint Benedict Brotherhood and Saint Scholastica Sisterhood will provide opportunities for students to grow within their own communities, while also participating in a shared Marmion experience rooted in faith, service, and leadership.

The goal is not to replace what has worked, but to build on it. By continuing the programs that have shaped Marmion students for generations, and thoughtfully adapting them, we will preserve the strength of the brotherhood while also developing a sisterhood and a unified Marmion community.

There will be more detail about these programs in the months ahead. If you have questions or would like to share your perspective, please reach out to Nancy Konrath at nkonrath@marmion.org.

  

Q: How are the facilities being upgraded or reconfigured for co-ed?

A: As Marmion prepares to become co-educational, we are undertaking a comprehensive set of facility upgrades to ensure our campus is fully ready to welcome female students. This work includes new training rooms, new and updated locker rooms for both young men and young women, additional bathrooms, new changing stations, and the installation of an elevator.

 A lot of this work is underway. Additional construction is scheduled as final permits are approved by the City of Aurora. All planned upgrades will be completed in time for the first co-educational school year.

 

Q: How many incoming freshmen or transfer students we can expect next year and the estimated breakdown between young men and young women?

 A: It’s still early in the admissions process with applications, acceptances, and financial aid decisions continuing through the spring and into early summer. Even so, early indicators suggest a strong level of interest in Marmion’s first co-educational class. This would represent an encouraging and well-balanced start to Marmion’s transition to co-education. Enrollment growth is expected to build in the years ahead.

 

Q: Will gym classes be co-ed or single-gender?

A: For Freshmen and Sophomores, Physical Education class will be single-gender, as will other core classes like math, science, theology, and English.

  

Q: How will retreats be handled, coed or single-gender?

A: Retreats will be offered as a mix of co-ed and single-gender experiences, reflecting Marmion’s commitment to shared formation, community building, and spiritual growth for all students. Marmion will thoughtfully determine the format of each retreat to best support students’ spiritual development and overall experience.

  

Q: Is the Student Code of Conduct being revised to adapt to co-education?

A: The Student Handbook that includes the Code of Conduct is updated each academic year. The 2026-2027 Handbook will be published by June.

 

Q: Explain how JROTC and LEAD will work and what opportunities are available to all.

A: Marmion’s JROTC and LEAD programs are fundamentally about leadership development, character formation, teamwork, and service. Those values apply equally to young men and young women. When Marmion becomes co-educational, both programs will be fully open to all students, with the same expectations, standards, and opportunities.

Q: Will lunch periods be single-gender?

A: Lunch periods will be co-ed for the Freshmen/Sophomores lunch period for the 2026-27 school year.

  

Q: How are students shaping this transition?

A: Student voices are essential! Representatives serve on our Steering Committee, and we gather input through focus groups and forums. Current and prospective students help shape everything from uniforms to programs—they’re our best guides for creating a thriving community.

 

Q: What will the uniform for young women look like? 

A: The girls’ uniform will reflect the same quality, variety, and practicality that our families have come to expect, offering options that are both professional and comfortable for every season and activity. Our uniform standards emphasize modesty, professionalism, and school pride equally for all students, ensuring that everyone feels confident and appropriately dressed for success.

With input from future female students, we are thoughtfully developing uniform options that honor Marmion’s traditions while meeting the unique needs of our school community. This includes ensuring access to women’s-cut polos, blazers, and other tailored pieces as part of the final uniform selection. We are excited to develop this in collaboration with future Cadets.

 

 

Q: Can young women sign up for a shadow day?

A: Yes! In fact, many young women have already begun to shadow at Marmion. Any 8th or 9th grade student interested in learning more can sign up for a Shadow Day with one of our current students.

When you register, we’ll ask a few questions about your interests, so we can pair you with a student who’s a great match, or you can request shadowing someone you already know.

 

Q: Which sports will be offered for girls?

A: We’re excited to announce that the IHSA Board has approved a recommendation to waive transfer eligibility rules for female students transferring to Marmion Academy for the 2026–2027 school year.

As Marmion transitions to a co-educational model, this decision opens the door for our future female student-athletes to fully participate and compete from day one.

Marmion will offer female students the opportunity to participate in basketball, volleyball, soccer, swimming, track and field, cross country, cheerleading, and bass fishing – with more sports to be added as interest grows.

The future of Marmion Athletics is bright, and we can’t wait to welcome our first generation of female Cadet athletes!

 

Q: What courses and extracurricular activities will be available for girls?

A: All courses, electives, and more than 50 student clubs at Marmion will be open to both young men and young women. This includes our full JROTC program, LEAD, engineering, law, publications, world languages, honors and dual credit opportunities, fine arts, band, choir, campus ministry, and much more. Some classes may remain single-gender in structure, but all will be available to students of both genders.

A complete list of courses for the 2026–2027 school year will be released closer to the start of the year. In the meantime, you can view our current offerings in the 2025–2026 Program of Study Guide on our website.

Marmion remains committed to expanding academic opportunities and introducing new courses available to all students.

 

Q: Will the young ladies participate in the Marmion Mentors program?

A: All Marmion students, young men and women, will participate fully in the Academy’s Mentors Program.

 

Q: Will there be a choir for young men and women?

A: Marmion will continue to offer the Marmion Men’s Chorus for young men and will offer a comparable experience for the young women in the Marmion Women’s Chorale.

In the 2027-2028 school year, as the young women progress into their junior and senior years, opportunities to audition for a more advanced vocal ensemble will become available.

 

We’re embarking on an exciting new chapter! As Marmion prepares to welcome young women in Fall 2026, we’re building on 95 years of excellence while creating something truly innovative. This transition isn’t just about adding students—it’s about expanding our Benedictine mission. The following questions and answers offer key insights to this next chapter.

What are Marmion’s top priorities in 2025-2026 and 2026-2027?

As a Catholic, Benedictine school, our priority is always to ensure continued building of a community of faith. We also will continue to build community trust, honoring our current students with exceptional education, and maintaining academic excellence while preparing for our exciting co-educational future. Every decision centers on serving students—past, present, and future—while staying true to our Benedictine mission.

Who is leading the co-ed transition and ensuring it is successful?

Everyone—Leadership, Monastic Community, Faculty, Staff, Students, Families, Alumni. This belongs to all of us, working together in our Benedictine tradition with shared commitment. Expert consultants are also supporting our efforts.

How can we support the transition?

Stay engaged, share ideas, volunteer your talents, and help tell Marmion’s story to prospective families. Most importantly, it helps create a welcoming environment for all students.

What are the high-level goals of the transition?

1. Preserve the Catholic Character and Benedictine Charism: Continue to develop strong faith and values by educating the whole person.
2. Expand Academic Programs: Innovative curriculum considering both young men and women’s needs while maintaining rigorous standards.
3. Hire Exceptional Personnel: Outstanding faculty, staff, and comprehensive professional development.
4. Facilities Enhancements: The Marmion campus is distinctive and offers exceptional facilities that are innovative and support faith-driven student success. One of our priorities is to ensure our facilities integrate welcoming spaces through thoughtful renovations for our expanded community.
5. Expand Student Life: Provide expanded athletics and activities for both young men and women

What makes Marmion’s approach unique?

At Marmion, students embark on a unique educational journey that blends the strengths of single-gender and coeducational learning. Freshmen and sophomores will experience core classes in single-gender classroom allowing them to grow in focus, confidence, and leadership, while still engaging in co-ed campus life and activities. Juniors and seniors then unite in integrated classrooms that prepare them for college and life beyond. Rooted in Benedictine values and strengthened by unmatched leadership and faith formation, Marmion continues to form young people ready to lead with purpose and integrity.

Community Update – June 2026

A Reflection on the Road Ahead
At the final faculty and staff meeting of the 2025-26 academic year, Abbot Joel shared this reflection as Marmion prepares to begin its first co-educational school year in August.

 “The future months and years will be a singular time of grace for all of us. It is for us to embrace the challenge and the potential fruits of this pivotal time in Marmion’s storied history. Let us do so confident that we have the support of one another and the God whose will we are privileged to follow.”

Seniors to Set the Welcoming Tone
For Noah Riley and the Class of 2027, leadership means helping welcome the next generation of Cadets.

When Noah arrived at Marmion as a freshman, he was stepping into a world that felt entirely new. He had attended public school his whole life. He had never worn a uniform or encountered the structure and traditions that define daily life at Marmion.

“From the second I got here, I loved it,” Noah says. “I definitely made the right choice.”

Now, three years later, Noah and his classmates are preparing for their senior year, which coincides with Marmion welcoming young women as Cadets for the first time.

For Noah and the entire Class of 2027, being seniors at this moment of change is both a privilege and a responsibility. Seniors in any high school help set the emotional tone. Younger students often take their cues from older peers and watch how seniors carry themselves. Noah appreciates this special role for his senior class of young men.

“Senior year is the peak for leadership roles,” he says. “You already have that responsibility as seniors. Now it kind of compounds.”

Leadership is the consistent theme across Noah’s experience at Marmion. He has immersed himself in JROTC and band, where he now serves as first sergeant for Headquarters Company.

He’s also a leader within Marmion’s Mentor Program, which pairs upperclassmen with incoming freshmen and transfer students. With the big change coming next year, Noah knows that the Mentor Program is more important than ever.

Noah is already thinking about college and life beyond Marmion. But first comes one more year. One more year of traditions. And, especially this year, one more opportunity to help shape the school that shaped him.

 

Dates of Marmion’s New Chapter
– August 17-18: New Student Orientation
– August 19: First day of the 2026-2027 School Year

A Student Handbook for the Next Chapter: Mission, Welcome, and What Endures
Marmion Academy will publish the revised student handbook that will guide the community in its first co-educational year. More than a collection of policies, the handbook is a thoughtful articulation of who Marmion is, what it believes about the young people entrusted to its care, and how those beliefs shape community life.

The handbook is grounded in four convictions:
– The wisdom of the Catholic intellectual and social tradition, which recognizes the dignity of every person as the foundation for learning, leadership, and community.
– The Benedictine tradition, which encourages listening, respect, personal growth, and a commitment to serving others.
– A genuine sense of belonging for the young men and women who will walk the halls of the Academy, each encouraged to develop their unique gifts and potential
– A distinctive vision for the new Marmion: rooted in its heritage, guided by its mission, and committed to welcoming all who join our community.

Among the additions to the revised handbook is a new section describing the St. Benedict and St. Scholastica Programs, which express Marmion’s vision for the formation of young men and women.
– The St. Benedict Program continues Marmion’s tradition of brotherhood, helping young men grow in character, leadership, service, and faith.
– The St. Scholastica Program cultivates a distinctly Marmion sisterhood, helping young women develop those same qualities within a supportive community.

The full revised student handbook is a reflection of a community that remains deeply rooted in its Catholic and Benedictine identity while embracing an exciting new chapter in its history.

 

Marmion Names First Head Girls Wrestling Coach
Marmion Academy has taken another major step in building championship-level opportunities for student-athletes by naming Alexis Gomez as the school’s first head girls wrestling coach.

Gomez brings an impressive combination of coaching experience and competitive success to the role. She currently serves on the coaching staffs of Team Illinois Women’s Wrestling and the Illinois National Dual Team, where she has helped develop multiple national-level athletes and All-Americans.

As a competitor, Gomez wrestles internationally for Team Mexico and was a two-time collegiate All-American, National Finalist, and member of McKendree University’s 2025-26 NCAA Women’s Wrestling National Championship team.

Athletic Director Joe Currie said Gomez’s experience, energy, and commitment to developing young people make her the ideal leader to launch the program.

“The opportunity to lead Marmion’s first girls wrestling program during such an important moment in the school’s history is truly meaningful to me,” Gomez said.

Known for emphasizing discipline, accountability, leadership, and personal growth, Gomez has built a strong reputation both on the mat and as a mentor. Her hiring reflects Marmion’s continued investment in excellence and the development of elite athletic opportunities for all Cadets.

Help Us Welcome the First Young Women of Marmion
We want every young woman at Marmion to feel a sense of belonging on day one. That’s why we’re creating a Wall of Belonging, filled with messages of encouragement and support. Please CLICK HERE to add your voice and share a short message of welcome, advice, or inspiration to help shape this next chapter.

Community Update – April 2026

Help Us Welcome the First Young Women of Marmion
We want every young woman at Marmion to feel a sense of belonging on day one. Our faculty and staff have already begun building a Wall of Belonging with messages of encouragement and support, and now we invite the wider Marmion community to join them. Please CLICK HERE to add your voice and share a short, single-paragraph message of welcome, advice, or inspiration to help shape this next chapter.

Abbot Joel on Approaching the Next Chapter in Marmion’s Story
With Marmion’s transition to co-education just around the corner, Abbot Joel takes stock and offers his perspective.

Q: How are you feeling about everything?

Abbot: I would say confident. A year ago, there may have been more uncertainty. Today, there is a shared sense of purpose.

Our administrators have been unrelenting in their dedication. Our faculty and staff are fully engaged and supportive. Our consultant and expert, Dr. Donna Kiel, has brought tremendous insight, experience, and steady guidance to this process.

Overall, I like where we are today. Our enrollment numbers are strong. Enthusiasm is sky-high.

Q: How does this moment fit within Marmion’s Benedictine tradition?

Abbot: It fits very naturally. As Benedictines, we are grounded in stability, but we are also called to adapt in service to others. Marmion has always evolved to meet the needs of its students.

The core elements of who we are, our faith, our sense of community, our focus on formation, remain unchanged. Those have been in place since the beginning, and they will continue to guide us. We are now working to implement our St. Benedict Brotherhood and St. Scholastica Sisterhood programs, which will draw from and accentuate Benedictine spirituality. These two programs will aid in the religious formation of our young men and women.

This transition to co-education is another expression of that mission, not a departure from it.

Q: What is your ask of the Marmion community as this transition begins?

Abbot: I would begin with trust. Trust in the mission, and trust in the people carrying it forward. But I would also ask for engagement and openness. This is not something happening around the community. It is something we are building together. We need to hear from our families about their perspectives, their experiences, their ideas.

We also ask for a spirit of flexibility. Any meaningful transition involves learning and adjustment along the way. That is part of the process. If we approach this together, with trust, openness, and a willingness to grow, we will preserve what has always been strong at Marmion and build something even stronger for the future.

Marmion’s New Co-Educational Model: Focused and Intentional

In addition to welcoming young women, the other big event of the 2026-2027 academic year will be the implementation of an educational model to feature single-gender core classes for freshmen and sophomores. This model is a rare feature in Catholic high schools nationwide and will be a differentiator for Marmion going forward.

Single-gender core classes include English, math, science, social studies, and theology. World languages, certainly a core subject, will be co-ed, as language learning can benefit from a wider range of voices and communication styles.

Here’s the thinking behind the model.    

The First Two Years of High School are Critical
Freshmen and sophomore years are formative. Confidence is still forming. Participation is still taking shape. The classroom environment during this time can influence whether students speak up, take risks, or hold back. With a single-gender setting in these first two years, Marmion creates space for students to develop their voice, build confidence, and establish habits that carry into the more independent, co-educational upper-class years.

Core Classes: Where Academic Foundations Are Built
Core subjects shape how students think, write, and solve problems. Core classes play a key role in long-term academic outcomes and are central in standardized tests and college admissions. By applying this model to core classes, Marmion is focusing its approach to where it can have the greatest impact.

Seventh Graders Get an Early Look at Marmion

It’s never too early to introduce potential students to life as a Cadet! On April 24, 115 seventh graders got a taste of life at Marmion Academy during the annual Explore Day.

Designed to look beyond the traditional focus on eighth-grade recruitment, the day gave prospective students a firsthand look at campus life, from the chapel to the dining hall, along with sessions on academics, athletics, and leadership programs.

The day concluded in the gym with activities and a group photo, but its significance points forward. As Marmion prepares to welcome its first co-educational class this fall, Explore Day offered a glimpse of the students already looking ahead, many of whom will make up the Academy’s second co-ed class.

Notable Quotable
“As we look to the future of welcoming young women, we do so with excitement, hope, and determination. Our mission remains steadfast: to form young people spiritually and academically, preparing them to live lives of faith, character, and leadership. Everything we do flows from that foundation.” – Anthony Tinerella, President, Marmion Academy, in remarks at Salute to Youth Gala on April 25, 2026

Community Update – March 2026

Marmion Voices: “We’re All In. We’re Cadets.”
Meet one of the young women joining Marmion’s first co-ed freshmen class

When Cecelia Boatner and her parents, Nic and Kimberly, started the high school search, Marmion was not at the top of the list.

Cecelia is an eighth grader at St. Patrick School in St. Charles. She explored several options. But over the course of last fall, her thinking began to shift. After attending admissions events and touring campus, her father said it was Cecelia who ultimately made the call.

“At one point, she came to us and said, ‘It’s Marmion,’” Nic said. “And we were on the same page.”

Cecelia will now be part of Marmion’s first co-educational freshmen class. Nic said his daughter understands the history of this change and is embracing her trailblazer status. 

“She knows that Marmion might face some adjustments in the first year, but she wants to help the school navigate this remarkable moment in its history,” said Nic. “For Cecelia, it’s a chance to step into something new and help shape what comes next.”

Cecelia is a dedicated volleyball player. Last fall, Marmion announced the hiring of Megan Willie as the school’s first-ever girls volleyball coach. Cecelia is excited to be a part of the inaugural season.

But the biggest aspect of the Marmion decision was how big a role faith plays in Cecelia’s life.  Cecelia keeps Bible verses on her phone. Her spirituality is a core aspect of her identity. She and her parents appreciated that faith is not just present at Marmion. It is central to the student experience.

“We are all in,” Dad says. “We’re Cadets.”

Help Us Welcome the First Young Women of Marmion
As Marmion prepares to welcome its first class of young women, we are building something lasting: a “Wall of Belonging” filled with messages of encouragement and support. What do you hope these new Marmion students will experience from this place you know so well?

We invite you to add your voice. Please share a short message of welcome, advice, or inspirationto help shape this next chapter.

Building Belonging: Faculty Prepare for Marmion’s Co-Ed Future
Marmion faculty and staff recently took part in a three-hour workshop, Creating Belonging for All, led by Dr. Donna Kiel and her team from DePaul University’s Office of Innovative Professional Learning. Designed to support the transition to co-education, the session paired research on gender dynamics, stereotype threat, and belonging with practical, classroom-ready strategies faculty can put into action right away.

The workshop challenged faculty to reflect on what makes Marmion distinctive and how to carry that forward. As Marmion transitions to co-education, everyone is focused on how the school can strengthen belonging, forge deeper bonds of community, and ensure every student feels known and supported.

Building a Campus for What’s Next
A transition to co-education is about more than academics, schedules, or uniforms. It’s also about creating spaces where every student feels comfortable. Over the past year, Marmion Academy has made significant progress preparing its campus for this next chapter, with upgrades that include restroom expansions, new locker room spaces, changing areas, and other key improvements that support a fully co-educational environment.

Leading the effort is longtime facilities and construction manager Tom Moore, whose 15-plus years at Marmion have helped shape much of the campus students know today. Partnering closely with Wight Construction, Tom and his team have pushed projects forward with a strong on-site presence and steady momentum.

“This has been the most rewarding project in all my years at Marmion,” Moore said. “I’m grateful to Abbot Joel, Mr. Tinerella, and the entire team for their support as we prepare the Academy for this exciting new chapter.”

300+ Attend Registration Night
Lux Dining Hall was filled wall-to-wall in early March as more than 300 incoming students and families gathered for Marmion’s annual Registration Night. The energy was high as members of the Class of 2030, along with transfer students from the Class of 2029, took their first official steps as Cadets.

The evening focused on everything families need to know to get started, including course selection, athletics, student support services, summer programs, and key requirements like medical forms. More than just logistics, the night offered a clear and welcoming introduction to the Marmion experience.

Registration Night marks an important milestone, as new students and their families begin their journey as Marmion Cadets.

Upcoming Events
April 24 – 7th Grade Explore Day (9:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
While Marmion prepares to welcome its first co-educational class this fall, it’s already time to look ahead. Marmion will host a 7th Grade Explore Day for students who would become part of our second incoming co-ed class. The program offers an early introduction to campus life, academics, and the Cadet experience, and reflects the growing interest in Marmion’s future. 7th Grade Explore Day | Marmion

April 30 – Final Parent Shadow Day
Marmion will host its final Parent Shadow Day of the spring, providing prospective families the opportunity to visit classrooms, meet faculty and counselors, and experience the school day firsthand. These visits continue to play an important role as families explore what a Marmion education will look like in a co-educational environment. 

Community Update – February 2026

New FAQ Available. Questions Asked and Answered
Thoughtful questions about co-ed are coming from across our community. While we try to answer each person’s questions individually, we also believe it’s helpful for everyone to learn. We’ve updated our Frequently Asked Questions to reflect what we are hearing. Click here for the full FAQ. Share your thoughts and questions at admissions@marm​ion.org.

Early Indicators Show a Strong Incoming Freshman Class
It’s still early in the admissions process. Applications, acceptances, and financial aid decisions will continue through the spring and into early summer. Even so, early indicators suggest strong interest in Marmion’s first co-educational class. This would represent an encouraging and well-balanced start to Marmion’s transition to co-education. Enrollment is expected to grow in the years ahead.

Uniform Policy Now Available
Our updated uniform policy is finalized and available online, including guidelines for both young men and young women. As we continue to grow as a school community, the policy reflects a consistent and unified approach for all students. Families can review full details and daily expectations on the New Student page.

Marmion Voices: A Full-Circle Moment
The fourth in a series highlighting voices from the Marmion community
Marmion Spanish teacher Luz-Maria Acosta-Knutson grew up in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood, just a short walk from St. Ignatius High School. Her older brother attended St. Ignatius, which was an all-boys school at the time.

Attending St. Ignatius was out of the question for me. It was sad. Here was this great school so close to us, yet it was out of reach for me,” she says. “I would have to take a bus to an all-girls school farther from home.”

Just in time, everything changed. St. Ignatius went co-ed. Luz-Maria was part of the second incoming class of young women in the fall of 1980. “I was ecstatic. I couldn’t believe it.”

She loved her experience over the next four years and says she always felt welcome.

Today, at Marmion, Luz-Maria finds herself in a similar moment of transition.

“I have taught in co-educational settings,” she says. “There are different dynamics, but the fundamentals of teaching remain the same. I think it will be very positive.”

When her students expressed concern about Marmion’s change, she shared her own story and the story of her alma mater.

“Back then, people who loved St. Ignatius High School were very worried about what co-ed would mean,” she says. “But St. Ignatius is thriving today.”

Upcoming Events

March 5 – Registration Night (7:00 pm to 8:30 pm)
Registration Night welcomes all new students and their families as they begin their journey as Marmion Cadets! This includes incoming freshmen (Class of 2030) and our transferring sophomore students (Class of 2029). The evening will focus on course selection, athletics, student support services, and summer programs.

March 28 – Entrance Exam (9:00 am to 12:00 pm)
All 8th-grade students applying to Marmion must take the entrance exam. Applicants can register for the Entrance Exam by setting up an online account. Applicants can then schedule a Shadow Day and complete the application for admission.

April 24 – 7th Grade Explore Day (9:00 am to 11:30 am)
Seventh-grade students can experience Marmion through our Explore Day event designed to offer a glimpse into high school life as a Cadet.

Community Update – January 2026

Marmion…Through a Mother’s Eye
The third in a series highlighting voices from the Marmion community.

With her eldest son, Henry, now a second-semester senior, Colleen Boraca is taking stock of what Marmion Academy has meant to her son, herself, and the whole family.

As an eighth-grader, Henry found Marmion on his own.  Out of the blue, he asked if he could visit the school. They took a tour and he knew immediately it was the right place.

Over the years, Colleen has watched her son thrive. He embraced the military program and its leadership opportunities. He has volunteered and served in all kinds of ways.

When Marmion announced its transition to co-ed, Colleen understood the concern it raised.

“But here’s my feeling: When I think of all the many ways Marmion has made such an impact on Henry, I realize that only a part of it was tied to Marmion’s all-boys model.  The most important thing is that Marmion remains healthy and strong for all the generations to come.”

Colleen shared some of her fondest moments over the last four years:

“Henry’s freshman orientation drop-off was deeply emotional. I wasn’t expecting anything. It was just a normal day. But that morning, we walked straight into an open embrace of love and community. The video I have of Mr. Tinerella so warmly welcoming my son to school is something I will treasure forever. I knew in that moment things were going to be very different.”

“I remember that first Ash Wednesday Mass when Henry was a freshman.  A group of us parents were in the back, completely captivated.”

“I remember an early morning with my Marmion mom friends as we sent our boys off to Nazareth Farm for a week-long service project. Watching your excited child ride away on a bus to go help people gives you hope. It’s a poignant moment every parent feels when their child is beginning to embrace the world on their own and you can’t believe how fast it has all gone.”

“I remember the Kairos closing ceremonies and Mass when Henry was commissioned as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. It’s clear how his faith has deepened during his time at Marmion. In fact, my own faith has been strengthened by Marmion as well.”

“I also have a thousand little memories where a faculty or staff member made the extra effort, took the extra time to be a role model to kids. The team at Marmion is such a special group.”

Colleen concludes: “I am deeply grateful to have watched my child grow into a young adult within this community.  I know in my heart that Marmion will continue to shape lives next year and every year thereafter.”

Recruiting the New Generation: Upcoming Events
February 14: Tenor-Bass Festival (junior high)
Marmion is hosting its Annual Junior High Tenor-Bass Festival that welcomes middle-school singers to campus for an evening of music and mentorship with Marmion students. Open to both girls and boys, the festival introduces young families to Marmion’s culture, builds early relationships, and serves as a meaningful gateway into the school’s expanding co-educational community.

March 5: Registration Night for Freshmen
Marmion will host Registration Night to officially welcome the Class of 2030 and their families to campus. The evening introduces students to academics, activities, and support services while helping families take their first steps into the Marmion community. This is an important milestone in building relationships that shape the next generation of Cadets.

April 24: Seventh Grade Explore Day
Explore Day invites seventh-grade students to spend a morning on campus experiencing life as a Cadet. Through hands-on sessions in academics, faith, leadership, and STEM, the event gives families an early, engaging introduction to Marmion.

New Coaches for an Expanding Athletic Program for Young Women
Marmion has hired its first-ever Girls Swimming Coach and Girls Cross Country Coach, continuing the expansion of athletic opportunities for young women as the school moves forward with its co-educational model.

Glenn Brown will serve as Marmion’s first Girls Swimming Coach, bringing nearly 30 years of experience, including two IHSA State Championships and an IHSA Sectional Coach of the Year honor. He also led Marmion’s boys swim team to the 2025 IHSA Sectional Championship and will guide both swim programs.

Andrew Lifka has been named Marmion’s first Girls Cross Country Head Coach, beginning Fall 2026. A Marmion alumnus and current faculty member, Coach Lifka has led the boy’s program to multiple IHSA State Finals and earned the 2023 CCL Tony Lawless Coach of the Year Award.

Preparing for an AI-Driven Future
As Marmion Academy prepares to welcome its first co-educational class next academic year, the school continues to expand academic opportunities designed to serve all students and prepare them for a rapidly changing world.

One example is a new academic partnership with Northern Illinois University focused on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Marmion students will take part in a hands-on curriculum exploring how AI systems are built, how data and algorithms shape decisions, and where risks emerge around privacy, security, and fairness.

The partnership is designed to continue through the 2026–2027 academic year, allowing the program to deepen and evolve alongside Marmion’s transition to a fully co-educational learning environment.

Read the full story here.

 

Community Update – December 20, 2025

Reflections on Change: Robert Flores, Class of ‘93
The second in a series of voices from the Marmion community. 

Robert Flores knows what it means to choose a new direction. When he reflects on Marmion’s transition to coeducation, he sees it through the same lens of opportunity that once reshaped his own life.

Growing up in North Aurora, Robert was the son of hardworking immigrant parents who built a stable life through long hours in a factory. “My dad worked so hard,” he says. “He came here with nothing, and he gave us everything.”

By his sophomore year at West Aurora High School, Robert felt pulled toward a more positive environment. Every day he and his father drove past Marmion until he finally asked about attending. His father doubted he could get in but agreed to pay for one quarter if Robert showed he was serious.

Robert responded with determination. He borrowed his sister’s ten-speed bike, rode to Marmion in the summer heat, gathered instructions, biked back for his transcripts, and returned the same day. His persistence earned him a meeting with Father Basil and other priests, who told him he would need to repeat his sophomore year. He agreed immediately.

Robert thrived at Marmion. Today, he sees coeducation as “the right move” for offering that same opportunity to every student.

Daily Herald Covers Marmion in Sunday Front-Page Feature 
Marmion welcomed reporter Marni Pyke and a news photographer to campus to learn more about our transition to coeducation. The result was a feature article that quoted Abbot Joel, Anthony Tinerella, and three Marmion students. The article featured six photographs, including students working in the CPARC lab and at the rifle range. Subscribers to the Daily Herald can read the story here.

Upcoming Admissions Timeline
*January 10, 2026: Second Entrance Exam at 9:00 a.m. This is the second exam for any eighth grader who was unable to take the December exam.
*January 15, 2026: Application deadline for transfer students to receive a $1,000 tuition grant.

Redesigned Marmion Website is Live
Marmion’s new website is here!  The refreshed site offers a new design reflecting our next chapter as we prepare to welcome young women in 2026.

New Viewbook Brings the Marmion Experience to Life
Have you seen Marmion’s latest viewbook? Click here to access it. This curated, magazine-style publication introduces prospective students and families to our identity, mission, and student experience. It blends compelling visuals with concise narrative to communicate what makes the institution distinctive: our academic strengths, student life, traditions, values, outcomes, and community culture.

FAQ Available: Co-Ed 2026 Answers
Our community has important questions covering everything from our co-educational academic model to uniforms to athletics and clubs. We continuously update our Frequently Asked Questions on our Expanding our Legacy web page. Here’s a sample question:

Q: How will the co-ed transition affect the Performing Arts Programs (Marmion-Rosary Band, Jazz Band, Drama productions, etc.)?

A: Marmion welcomes Rosary College Prep students who are in the class years of 2027, 2028, and 2029 to continue their participation in the Performing Arts Programs until they graduate. Starting in the fall of 2026, the Marmion drama program will offer an additional opportunity for Marmion students to perform in a theatrical production.

Community Update – October 2025

Reflections on Change: Fr. Michael Burrows ’70, O.S.B.

Few have lived through Marmion’s evolution more deeply than Fr. Michael Burrows.
He graduated from Marmion in 1970. After college and seminary, he returned to campus to begin a lifetime of teaching and mentoring generations of students. “It’s been a life of blessings,” he says.

Over the decades, Fr. Michael has seen significant changes. “Each time, my first instinct was to resist,” he admits. “When we closed the boarding school, I thought I’d never recover. But eventually, you realize it’s the right thing to do.”

That perspective shapes how he views Marmion’s next chapter. “At first, I wasn’t sure about going co-ed,” he says. “But I came to see it as a thoughtful and necessary step forward. The young women who join us will bring energy, balance, and strength to our community.”

He reflects on his life of service: “My identity is tied closely to Marmion’s. I’ve always felt called here. It’s a blessing to live here, to teach here, and to watch God keep renewing this wonderful and spiritual place.”

A New Leadership Position for a New Era

Marmion is recruiting for a critical new leadership role: Dean of Women. This full-time position will help shape the student experience, support our first generation of female Cadets, and uphold the Catholic and Benedictine values that guide our community. Serving as a mentor, advocate, and role model, the Dean of Women will ensure a safe, inclusive, and faith-centered environment where all students thrive. Qualified candidates can apply here.

Game On: IHSA Paves the Way for Marmion’s Female Athletes

The IHSA Board has approved a waiver of transfer eligibility rules for female students transferring to Marmion Academy for the 2026–2027 school year. This ensures that future female student-athletes can compete from day one in basketball, bass fishing, cheerleading, cross country, soccer, swimming, track and field, and volleyball. More sports will be added as interest grows.

Make it Marmion Day 2025

More than 100 students and parents joined us on campus to experience life as a Cadet. The group explored campus, met teachers, counselors, coaches, and current students. It was a day filled with energy, curiosity, and Cadet spirit!

Upcoming Admissions Events:

• Prospective Parent Night: Thursday, Nov. 6 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
• Open House: Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 PM
• Scholarship Qualifying Entrance Exam: Saturday, Dec. 6 at 9:00 AM

The 2026–2027 Enrollment Process is OPEN!

Marmion is offering a one-time $1,000 tuition grant to all new students joining us for the 2026–27 school year, including new students transferring to Marmion. This tuition grant will be available to families that complete registration by December 15, 2025. Also, incoming freshmen must take the scholarship qualifying entrance exam on December 6, 2025. Visit www.marmion.org/admissions to begin the journey.

In Focus: Engineering a Co-Ed Future

Among the leading resources young women will benefit from day one, is our state-of-the-art Computational Prototyping and Research Center (CPARC). This is a signature resource where Cadet’s dive into hands-on engineering projects, cutting-edge technology, and real-world problem-solving.

Women continue to be underrepresented in STEM careers nationwide, and Marmion is proud to offer a learning environment where every student has the tools, mentorship, and confidence to excel in engineering and innovation. CPARC brings together academic rigor and practical application through advanced modeling software, fabrication and prototyping equipment, and partnerships with industry professionals—all rooted in the Benedictine values that shape leadership and service.

As our first generation of female Cadets joins this vibrant STEM community, they will help shape the future of engineering at Marmion, contributing new ideas, voices, and talents to a space designed for all students to thrive.

New FAQs Available: Co-Ed 2026 Answers

Our community has important questions covering everything from our co-educational model to uniforms, to athletics and clubs. We’ve updated the comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions.

Here’s a sample:

What is the planned co-educational model?
We believe young men and women learn best in an environment that blends the focus of single gender learning with the richness of a united school community.

In our co-educational model, freshman and sophomore students will experience core classes in single-gender classrooms, allowing them to build confidence, minimize distractions, and develop strong academic foundations.

These students will then come together as one Marmion community for leadership classes (JROTC or LEAD), dual credit courses, extracurricular activities, Mass, specialized electives, and more—fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and shared traditions.

This intentional balance offers our younger students the best of both worlds during their formative years, combining the focused benefits of single-gender learning with the collaborative energy of co-education in their upper-class years, preparing Cadets to thrive in college, career, and life.

Community Update – September 2025

Drawing Inspiration from St. Scholastica

Marmion Academy has been shaped by the vision and life’s work of St. Benedict. His timeless Rule, lived out by the Benedictine monks who guide Marmion, has formed generations of young men in faith, scholarship, discipline, and service.

As Marmion prepares to welcome young women, we are finding additional inspiration from St. Benedict’s twin sister, St. Scholastica. Just as St. Benedict established communities for men, St. Scholastica nurtured communities for women. She guided them with devotion, wisdom, and courage. Together, the lives of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica show us the power of faith that is shared across differences, of holiness lived side by side. In that same spirit, Marmion will now bring together young men and women, forming a community where all gifts are valued and all voices are encouraged to lead.

We are in the early stages of developing two formation frameworks for next year: A St. Benedict Brotherhood and a St. Scholastica Sisterhood. Each will offer students a unique sense of belonging, mentorship, and formation within their own gender community, while also serving as complementary expressions of the same Benedictine mission. Together, they will help cultivate both the distinct gifts of young men and young women and the shared unity of a Marmion community rooted in prayer, service, leadership, and love of God.

It’s official: The 2026–2027 enrollment application is OPEN!

For the first time in history, Marmion Academy is now accepting applications from both young men and young women for the 2026-2027 school year.
The excitement grows! So far, we are seeing a strong increase in the number of registrants, including young men and young women, to the admissions process compared to last year.

To celebrate this milestone, Marmion is offering a one-time $1,000 tuition grant to all new students joining us for the 2026–27 school year, including new students transferring to Marmion. This tuition grant will be available to families that complete registration by December 15, 2025. Also, incoming freshmen must take the scholarship qualifying entrance exam on December 6, 2025. Interested families can apply here.

Upcoming Admissions Events:

• Make it Marmion Day (8th Graders Only) – Monday, Oct. 13 from 9:00 AM to Noon
• Open House – Sunday, Oct. 26 at 1:00 PM
• Open House – Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 PM
• Entrance Exam – Saturday, Dec. 6 at 9:00 AM

Fall Traditions: Prospective Families Experience Marmion

Every fall, Marmion invites prospective students and their families to campus to experience the Cadet spirit firsthand. This year has been extra special as we welcome young women. Some highlights!

• Go Cadets Night: More than 100 prospective families were welcomed to a pre-game celebration and then stayed to watch our Cadets football team earn a big win on the gridiron.
• Marmion hosted the Sideout Shindig Girls Volleyball Tournament that brought together 300 female student-athletes from 24 school teams for two days of competitive volleyball, showcasing incredible talent, energy, and teamwork.
• Prospective students and their families helped us celebrate Homecoming with a bonfire party, a BBQ Dinner and a Cadets football game. The highlight at halftime was the Pass-in-Review parade, where the Cadet Corps marched in formation to honor Marmion’s military heritage.

Other Catholic High Schools Thriving After Move to Co-Ed

Marmion is not alone in the journey to a co-education model. Across the country, Catholic schools are finding that co-education strengthens both their enrollment and their mission. The shift has allowed schools to broaden academic offerings, expand extracurricular opportunities, and create a more vibrant community life. Here are some recent examples:

• St. Laurence High School (Burbank, Illinois) transitioned to co-education in 2017, pairing the change with academic innovations and has become the fastest-growing Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
  (By-the-way: Noted education consultant, Dr. Donna Kiel, helped guide St. Laurence through this change. Marmion is proud to have her on our transition project as well. Email her questions or thoughts at: dkiel@marmion.org)
• Notre Dame High School (West Haven, Connecticut) welcomed young women this year and immediately celebrated its largest freshman class in decades.
• De La Salle Institute (Chicago) became fully co-ed in 2017 and saw 420 young women enrolled alongside 500 boys in the first year.
• Archbishop Riordan High School (San Francisco, CA) The Marianist Catholic high school became co-ed in 2020 and has since achieved record enrollment.

Marmion Launches First-Ever Girls’ Athletic Camps

As Marmion Academy prepares to welcome young women, we are excited to share another milestone: our first-ever girls’ athletic camps this fall. These free clinics bring middle school girls to Marmion to experience the spirit of our community while training with our newly hired varsity women’s coaches.

• Girls Basketball Camp – Over 70 registrants and counting!
  Alumni Hall | Sun Evenings – 10/5, 10/12, 10/26 | 6–8 PM | Open to 4th–8th graders
• Girls Volleyball Camp – Over 90 registrants and counting!
  Alumni Hall | Sat Mornings – 10/11, 10/25 | 8–10 AM | Open to 4th–8th graders
• Girls Soccer Camp – Just added!
  Alumni Hall | Tuesday 10/14 | 6–7:30 PM | Open to 5th–8th graders

For more details, visit www.marmion.org/fallcamps.

This Month’s FAQ

So many in our community have been asking great questions about our next chapter. We are replying individually as fast as we can. See our continuously updated FAQs on our website. Keep those questions, comments, and ideas coming! Here’s one FAQ from the list:

1. Preserve the Catholic Character and Benedictine Charism: Continue to develop strong faith and values by educating the whole person.
2. Expand Academic Programs: Innovative curriculum considering both young men and women’s needs while maintaining rigorous standards.
3. Hire Exceptional Personnel: Outstanding faculty, staff, and comprehensive professional development.
4. Facilities Enhancements: The Marmion campus is distinctive and offers exceptional facilities that are innovative and support faith-driven student success. One of our priorities is to ensure our facilities integrate welcoming spaces through thoughtful renovations for our expanded community.
5. Expand Student Life: Provide expanded athletics and activities for both young men and women.

Marmion Together: Expanding our Legacy of Excellence

Edition: August 29, 2025

We are pleased to share another update about the exciting progress of Marmion Academy’s mission-aligned work to become a co-educational institution in the Fall of 2026.

Go Cadets Night Next Friday

Join us as we ‘Kickoff to the Future’ at our first Go Cadets Football Night on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025! We’re excited to welcome prospective young men and women in grades 5-8 to join us for our first-ever co-ed Go Cadets Night. The evening will feature food, football, and fun.

In Focus: Let’s Talk About Marmion’s Hybrid Co-Education Advantage

Marmion leaders are designing a hybrid co-educational learning model that blends the focus of single-gender classrooms with the richness of a united community built on Marmion’s proven tradition of academic excellence and grounded in our Catholic, Benedictine heritage.

In this approach, freshman and sophomore students will experience core classes in single-gender classrooms and then come together as one Marmion community for leadership classes, AP and dual credit courses, extracurricular activities, Mass, specialized electives, and more—fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and shared traditions.

This intentional balance offers our younger students the best of both worlds during their formative years, combining the focused benefits of single gender learning with the collaborative energy of co-education in their upper-class years, preparing Cadets to thrive in college, career, and life.

Building Our Team

Marmion is proud to announce three new faculty hires as we prepare for the historic shift to co-education. Their presence helps shape the strong, inclusive learning community that will welcome both young men and women in the years ahead.

Dave Brown
Mr. Brown joins the Counseling Department. He holds a B.A. from Western Michigan University and is completing an M.A. in Special Education. He has two years of educational experience and nine years of basketball coaching, including five at Marmion. Mr. Brown will teach Freshmen Skills, working with our counselors and teachers to support students, and serve as our substitute coordinator.

Jenna Micko
Ms. Micko returns to the English Department. She holds degrees from Elmhurst and Concordia, with 18 years of teaching experience at schools including Roberto Clemente Academy, Walther Christian Academy, and Marmion. She will teach freshman and sophomore English as well as AP Literature and Composition.

Greg Ott
Mr. Ott joins the English and Theology Departments. He earned degrees in English and Creative Writing from St. Louis University and the University of Chicago and has 12 years of teaching experience at Washington University, Benedictine, and Harper College. At Marmion, he will teach freshman and junior English, the senior Theology elective Life of Catholic Writers, and co-moderate the Creative Writing Club.

Abbot Joel Talks Co-Ed Transition and More with Good Morning Aurora

Click HERE for a conversation Abbot Joel had with Good Morning Aurora, a morning public affairs show broadcast out of Aurora City Hall. Abbot talked about the history of Marmion, his own roots in Aurora, and the next chapter of Expanding Our Legacy of Excellence.

Welcome, Lauren Black, to the Admissions Team!

Marmion Academy is thrilled to welcome Lauren Black as Director of Recruiting, Marketing, & Social Media within the Admissions office. Her arrival comes at a pivotal time as Marmion transitions to co-education, a change with major implications for recruitment. Lauren has more than a decade of corporate and educational leadership with extensive experience in digital strategy and community engagement. She has served Waubonsee Community College and St. Mary School, where she boosted enrollment by 40%. Lauren holds both a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Lewis University. Welcome Lauren!

Historic Firsts for Marmion’s Athletic Program

As we prepare to welcome young women student-athletes to Marmion, we’re proud to welcome three first-of-its-kind hires in coaching.

Anne Iwinski, Head Women’s Varsity Soccer Coach
Coach Iwinski brings nearly 30 years of playing and coaching experience, including standout careers at Naperville Central and Northern Illinois University, where she still ranks as one of the program’s all-time greats. Coach Iwinski will also serve as Head Men’s Varsity Soccer Coach.

Dan Murray, Head Women’s Basketball Coach
With 25 years of coaching success, including stops at Immaculate Conception, Lisle High School, and Marian Catholic, Coach Murray has earned 14 regional titles, five sectional championships, nine Sweet 16 appearances, and 11 District Coach of the Year awards.

Megan Wille, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach
Since 2019, Coach Wille has been shaping athletes across the Fox Valley as a coach and program manager for the Cyclones Volleyball Club. With a background in social work and behavioral studies, Coach Wille combines her love for volleyball with a passion for building teamwork, resilience, and confidence in her players.

This Month’s FAQs

So many in our community have been asking great questions about our next chapter. We are replying individually as fast as we can. See our continuously updated FAQs on our website. Keep those questions, comments, and ideas coming!

Here are a couple of FAQs:

How will students shape this transition?
Student voices are essential. Representatives serve on our Steering Committee, and we gather input through focus groups and forums. Current and prospective students help shape everything from uniforms to programs—they’re our best guides for creating a thriving community.

How will families and alumni be involved?
Parent and alumni advisory groups support our efforts, ensuring we consider all needs of current and future students. Your insights are essential to our success. Follow the regular updates on the Marmion Together Hub.

Looking Ahead

Thank you to everyone who has offered support and prayers, asked a question or shared a thought. Your continued engagement throughout this process is essential.

Be sure to check our Marmion Together Hub for progress and updates.

Marmion Together: Expanding our Legacy of Excellence

Edition: July 24, 2025

We are pleased to share another update about the exciting progress of Marmion Together: Expanding our Legacy of Excellence, our mission-aligned work to become a co-educational institution in the Fall of 2026.

JROTC to Welcome Young Women Leaders

One question we’ve received frequently: Will incoming young women students have the opportunity to be part of JROTC? The answer is yes. Marmion’s JROTC program—one of the premier high school leadership programs in the nation—will proudly welcome women cadets. Young women students will also participate in our LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program.

Curriculum Innovation

The academic team—Principal Joe Large and Assistant Principal Rebecca Cann—is developing exciting academic and programmatic opportunities for Marmion young men and women that integrate the most innovative and faith-based curricular offerings. Keeping the Benedictine mission as the framework of the Marmion curriculum, the co-ed transition offers an opportunity to expand the tradition of academic excellence and rigor.

350+ Stakeholder Surveys Completed

To everyone who responded to our invitation to inform the transition through the stakeholder survey, thank you! You have provided us with exciting ideas and valuable insights to ensure that Marmion Together extends our legacy. We’ll share key takeaways in our next update.

Engaging Focus Groups of Young Women

Marmion’s Director of Community Outreach, Nancy Konrath, has just completed three in-depth focus groups with young women who are currently in middle school about various aspects of the co-ed transition, including uniform policies, sports teams, and academic programs. The students were from both Catholic and public-school backgrounds and have expressed an interest in Marmion.

Welcome Marmion Student Rep Jack Christoffel!

We’re delighted to welcome Jack Christoffel ’26 as the student representative on the Steering Committee. As incoming student body president, Jack brings a thoughtful student voice to our planning process. Jack has already shown us that the older folks don’t always know best!

Marmion Young Women’s Athletic Program

Marmion is welcoming exceptional candidates for the positions of women’s head basketball coach, women’s head volleyball coach, and women’s head soccer coach. Joe Currie, Marmion Athletic Director, is accepting recommendations or applications for these three outstanding opportunities. The ideal candidates will have the experience, vision, and leadership to build a high-quality, competitive program from the ground up. Marmion is committed to providing our young women with a premier athletic program for the 2026-2027 school year. Much more to come!

Facilities Update – Architecture Firm Hired

Special thanks to Tom Moore, our facilities manager of over 17 years, who is leading the effort to prepare our buildings to welcome our young women students. Under his guidance, we are implementing key upgrades — including the reconfiguration and expansion of restrooms and locker rooms.

Tom and his team have partnered with Wight Construction, a local firm with extensive experience in Catholic school projects. A top priority is to ensure that all demolition and construction minimize disruption to campus life. Preliminary drawings of the work ahead are in progress.

Marmion Uniform for our Young Women

The Steering Committee has reviewed uniform options for Marmion’s young women students and has made selections. Thank you to the young women who shared their feedback on the many choices presented. We’ll share more details and photos in the coming weeks. The uniform protocols for our Marmion young men will remain unchanged in the 2026-2027 school year.

Telling our Story

As shared in our last update, Marmion has partnered with Maclyn—a nationally respected marketing and creative agency based in Naperville—to help tell the story of this next chapter. In the coming weeks, you’ll begin to see new communications that reflect our transition to a co-educational environment, including recruitment materials for both male and female prospective students.

Looking Ahead

We’re committed to preserving everything that makes Marmion special, while also providing innovation and new opportunities co-education brings to our community. This journey reflects the Benedictine call to conversion — growing and evolving, while staying grounded in the values that define us.

Thank You

Thank you for your continued support and engagement throughout this process. Your feedback, questions, and enthusiasm fuel our commitment to making this transition successful for everyone involved.

We will be sending an update like this every month throughout this process. Also, make sure to check in on the progress and provide your perspective at our Marmion Together Hub.

With God’s blessings for all of you,

Abbot Joel Rippinger, OSB, Chancellor, Marmion Academy
Anthony Tinerella ‘84, President, Marmion Academy
Joe Large ‘97, Principal Marmion Academy

Marmion Together: Expanding our Legacy of Excellence

An Update on our Next Chapter

With summer upon us, we are pleased to share exciting progress on Marmion Together: Expanding our Legacy of Excellence, our mission-aligned initiative to become a co-educational institution in Fall 2026.

Why This Matters

This next chapter will enrich our community, broaden our reach, and prepare even more young people to grow in faith, knowledge, and leadership. Co-education will bring new perspectives, foster deeper understanding, and strengthen the bonds of our Marmion family. We’re committed to ensuring that this change reflects the values that have made Marmion a place of excellence for generations.

Welcome Dr. Kiel!

We are thrilled to have Dr. Donna Kiel guiding our work as Project Manager. Dr. Kiel is coordinating the many moving pieces of this process, ensuring that our efforts remain student-focused and true to Marmion’s Benedictine character.

With decades of experience in Catholic education, Dr. Kiel has led a successful transition to co-education as a former Catholic School principal and as a consultant to other Catholic high schools. Her collaborative spirit and deep understanding of Catholic school culture will be invaluable.

How This Work is Organized

To guide our work, we’ve established an organizational structure that will oversee a timely, and effective process. This structure includes:

• The Marmion Together Steering Committee, composed of core administrative, mission, academic, and operational leaders, meets weekly to provide strategic oversight, align efforts across departments, and ensure that every component of the transition reflects our Catholic mission and Benedictine values.

• The Marmion Together Faculty and Staff Committee Structure, composed of five major committees – Curriculum and Instruction, Academic, Student Life, Culture and Climate, and Systems and Structures — includes every member of our faculty and staff. Each committee is supported by focused working subcommittees that are addressing the practical and cultural dimensions of a thriving co-educational Marmion. This collaborative approach empowers all members of our school community to participate meaningfully in the transition process.

Telling Our Story

This is a big change for Marmion. Adjustments to our brand and public positioning is necessary to speak to a wider community of parents and students. Marmion has engaged Maclyn, a nationally respected, Naperville-based marketing and creative agency. They specialize in values-based brand strategy, marketing, public relations, content creation, and web design. Maclyn will help us refresh our brand, sharpen our message, and guide our outreach.

Understanding How Learning Differs by Gender

We recently welcomed Dr. Leonard Sax, a leading expert on gender differences in education, for the first of many professional development sessions with our faculty and families. Dr. Sax’s insights are helping us deepen our understanding of how boys and girls learn differently and how we can best support all students as we move forward together. Over the next months, we’ll be sharing fascinating data on this subject.

Your Voice Matters

We want your voice to be part of this journey. We invite you to check in on the progress and provide your perspective at our Marmion Together Hub. Here, you will find project updates, background information, and opportunities to share your ideas and feedback. Your insights and prayers are essential. Bookmark us today!

Thank You

We are deeply grateful for your prayers and support. Together, we will ensure Marmion’s legacy of faith, leadership, and service expands to include future generations of young men and women who will benefit from Marmion’s commitment to foster the life of the mind and the soul.

With God’s blessings for all of you,

Abbot Joel Rippinger, Chancellor, Marmion Academy
Mr. Anthony Tinerella ’84, President, Marmion Academy
Mr. Joe Large ’97, Principal, Marmion Academy

Catholic Benedictine High School Announces Hybrid Co-Ed Model as early as 2026

AURORA, Nov. 19, 2024 – Marmion Academy, a college-prep high school in the Fox Valley, has announced it will implement a hybrid co-ed model after more than 93 years as single-sex, all-boys school. The announcement follows a Nov. 16 vote by the Marmion Abbey chapter of monks to approve the planning and implementation of a co-ed hybrid model, with plans to accept female students as early as the 2026-2027 academic year.

“Throughout our long history, Marmion Academy has implemented changes in its structure, while remaining true to our values of academic achievement, spiritual formation, and character development for our students,” Abbot Joel Rippinger, OSB stated. “After a year of intense study, discernment and prayerful reflection, we’ve determined that it was the right time to make this change. Our values, rooted in the Catholic Benedictine tradition, will remain at the heart of our mission.”

Early outlines of the new model would have freshman and sophomore students attending single gender classes. Juniors and seniors would attend co-ed classrooms. Other details, including exact timelines, will take shape over the next several months.

“We are confident that this move is in the best interests of our students and the needs of our community,” said Abbot Rippinger. “We look forward to this new chapter in our history and the many opportunities it will bring for our students.”

Abbot Rippinger said the move to a co-ed environment delivers key benefits, including:

• Preparing students for the diverse, interconnected world they will encounter after graduation. A co-ed setting fosters richer discussions, a variety of perspectives, and essential collaborative skills—traits that are increasingly important in today’s world.
• Meeting the needs of the Catholic community in the Fox Valley and surrounding areas, where many families value the Benedictine tradition and Catholic education and are eager to provide their daughters with the transformative experience that Marmion Academy offers.
  
• Positioning Marmion for long-term growth to ensure a strong and healthy Marmion is available for many generations of young people to come.

A History of Adaptation and Growth
This move is just the latest in a history of adaption to the changing needs to the Catholic community Marmion serves. In 1971, Marmion closed the Lake Street campus to bring the student-body to one campus. In 1994, Marmion transitioned from Marmion Military Academy to Marmion Academy. In 2002, it closed the residential program. All these shifts were instrumental in shaping the Marmion Academy of today.

In the coming months, Marmion will be in conversation with students, parents, faculty, and the greater school community to examine the best ways to make this change successful and beneficial to everyone.

Why is this happening?

• As the greater Fox Valley area has experienced a change in population, it has given us the opportunity to reevaluate our current single sex model. We are always looking at ways to keep Marmion moving forward as a leader in spiritual growth, leadership and academic excellence. The Monastic Community and Board of Directors believe this is what will make Marmion viable and vibrant for the future. We have a phenomenal opportunity to share the Benedictine charisms with a whole new set of students!
• This model will foster academic growth, mutual respect and social skills needed to succeed in life while still upholding the religious values and traditions that define our school.
• Marmion history dates back to 1933 and has undergone changes to adapt to the needs of the community while staying true to the mission. These examples include: closing of the Lake Street campus in the early 1970s, becoming Military Optional with the addition of the LEAD program in the early 1990s and closing the residential program in 2002. While change can be difficult, these changes have positively impacted the evolution of Marmion Academy.
• We recognize the importance of traditions rooted in single sex experiences. Certain programs, retreats and events designed to foster brotherhood, or sisterhood will continue as part of the Marmion experience.

When is this going to happen?

The private phase of this process is complete. The Marmion Board of Trustees has recommended a shift to this new, hybrid model. The Monks of Marmion have voted and have approved the recommendation of the Board. We will now begin the public phase which includes developing new programs, professional development for teachers and staff and inviting the contributions of all stakeholders to ensure the best experience for all students.

• Implementation is scheduled for the 2026/27 school year with accepting freshman and sophomore young women. Classes will remain single sex freshman and sophomore years with coed classes beginning junior and senior years.
  • Current freshman and sophomore students will be juniors and seniors when the young women join our community, but those young women will be part of the Freshman/Sophomore single sex classes. They will, however, be in the hallways and participate in many of the accelerated classes and activities that the young women of Rosary are currently enrolled in.
  • Current junior and senior students – nothing is changing.
• Remember, Marmion is used to teaching young women with the elective classes we have offered to them for more than 40 years with band and choir, and more recently AP computer science, LEAD, AP stats, law classes and our CPARC classes.
• Marmion will always be Marmion. Our mission, core values, and traditions will remain unchanged.

What about the Marmion Brotherhood?

This new model will not impact the Marmion Brotherhood. This experience will have single sex classrooms for freshman and sophomores as well as single sex retreats and other experiences all four years that will continue to support the Brotherhood as it is today. Young women will also have opportunities to form and grow a sisterhood and both young men and young women will come together to become “One community in Christ”.

What about Rosary?

Communication with the Dominican Sisters of Springfield has been ongoing for over two years. As mentioned in a recent letter from Prioress Sister Mary Paul, Rosary College Prep will maintain their single sex identity and we will continue to support their mission.

Do we have room?

Yes! Plans were already in the works to renovate Benkert Hall and Athletic Locker rooms and bathrooms. Once renewed, our facility will be able to support a much larger enrollment.

What if I have more questions?

In the near future, we will be sending out information that includes surveys and meeting dates to obtain stakeholder feedback. We want to hear your ideas as we move forward.