History

In 1833, seven Visitandines and a postulant led by Sister Mary Agnes Brent began their journey west. They arrived in Kaskaskia, Illinois, on May 3, 1833, after a journey by stagecoach, horse-drawn train, and steamboat. The townsfolk were not expecting them because a cholera

quarantine had stopped mail from Bishop Rosati to the people in Kaskaskia.The Sisters were given temporary housing that Friday, and they began school on Monday with five pupils.

During their eleven years in Kaskaskia, they moved to three different locations. The last was built in 1838 close to the Mississippi River; in the spring of 1844, rains flooded the Mississippi, which spread to the basement of the new building. The Sisters and girls were rescued by a steamboat; and they all sailed north to Saint Louis. 

In Saint Louis the monastery and academy moved to four different sites over 118 years: Ninth Street, Cass Avenue, Cabanne Avenue and Ballas Road. The school was staffed at first by the Sisters; by the 1950s, lay teachers supplemented the staff for additional courses. By the 1980s there were more lay teachers than Sisters, and the student body reached 600 students in the Montessori pre-school to Grade 12.

As the number of Sisters decreased from the 1960s on, the academy’s Catholic status would be an issue. They established, and the bishop approved, an Association of the Christian Faithful (ACF) in 2003. Immediately the members of the ACF began in-depth formation to continue Visitation’s Catholic and Salesian identity. Recently the two groups have officially been partnering as co-sponsors. Change and growth bring continued new challenges and privileges.

In the fall of 2014 the Sisters moved out of the monastery, leaving large spaces for the school’s use. Ten Sisters moved into the nearby retirement facility of the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters are present at the school, especially for celebrating Visitation feast days and events.

The extended Visitation Community is committed to continue to go forward in the steps and with the vision of those who, almost 200 years ago, brought Visitation to “the West.”

Additional Histories and Stories of Visitation Academy

A detailed account of the Visitation Academy in St. Louis is given in Deep Roots, and Golden Wings by William Barnaby Faherty, SJ, which concludes in 1981. In 2008 Sister Marie Therese Ruthmann, VHM, added a history of the Visitation in St. Louis from 1983 – 2008. The combined book is now entitled Visitation Academy: Educating the Mind and the Heart.

Mission Statement

Visitation Academy is a community of students, religious, faculty, staff, parents and alumnae that exists to educate children and young women and to receive and share Jesus as Mary did in her visitation to Elizabeth. 

In an environment which values excellence in scholarship, spirituality, leadership and service, this Visitation community encourages students to develop their unique gifts. 

As students learn to live Jesus with gentleness, humility, joy and freedom, they are prepared to continue to grow and to respond to others, the Church and the global community.

Portrait of a Graduate

A Visitation graduate strives to integrate Salesian principles into every aspect of her life and to embrace each member of God’s creation as Mary greeted Elizabeth – with profound respect and love.

In a life centered in Christ, a Visitation graduate:

1. Lives Jesus and acts on the basis of truthful convictions, as an honest person worthy of trust
2. Understands, witnesses, and articulates the Salesian virtues of humility, gentleness, freedom, joy, and optimism
3. Pursues a life that embodies our motto Live † Jesus which balances mind, body, and spirit
4. Shows respect for herself and all God’s creation
5. Responds to God’s presence in her life and shares God’s love through prayer and service
6. Interacts with others in a way that reflects the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth in the Visitation

In a life devoted to the love of learning, upon the completion of a challenging college preparatory curriculum, a Visitation graduate:

1. Applies critical thinking skills in both written and oral form, which facilitates analysis, logical reasoning, and articulate communication
2. Seeks experiences that stimulate intellectual curiosity and encourage life-long learning
3. Responds to challenges in an adaptable, informed, and spiritually grounded manner
4. Possesses the strength to think and act independently and ethically
5. Demonstrates a mastery of problem-solving techniques that allow her to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate effectively

In a life centered upon community building and leadership, a Visitation graduate:

1. Identifies and uses unique leadership skills as she seeks opportunities to model her faith and to serve her local and global community
2. Responds to leadership challenges in a fashion that fosters collaboration, unity, and respect for each individual
3. Devises strategies to meet new challenges

In a life that promotes personal growth, balance, and respect for all creation, a Visitation graduate:

1. Acts as a “gentle presence in a violent world”
2. Pursues spiritual renewal and enriching experiences
3. Shows an openness toward and an appreciation for diverse religious traditions and cultures
4. Seeks experiences that promote awareness of and appreciation for the arts, humanities, and living a healthy lifestyle