Marmion Academy, a Catholic high school for boys in Aurora, Illinois, has announced it intends to begin accepting female students as early as the 2026-27 school year.
The Chicago Tribune reports that Marmion will adopt a hybrid co-ed model after more than 90 years as single-sex, all-boys school.
“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,” said Abbot Joel Rippinger of Marmion Abbey. “After a year of intense study, discernment and prayerful reflection, we’ve determined that it was the right time to make this change.”
The 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 Rippinger.
Ripinger said a co-ed setting would foster richer discussions, a variety of perspectives, and essential collaborative skills. He also said that Catholic families in the area "are eager to provide their daughters with the transformative experience that Marmion Academy offers."
The academy has made other substantial changes through the years. In 1971, Marmion closed the Lake Street campus in Aurora to bring the student body to one campus. In 1994, Marmion transitioned from Marmion Military Academy to Marmion Academy, and in 2002, it closed its residential program.
