Marmion Academy Is Shaking Things Up, Going Co-Ed

Big news out of Aurora: Marmion Academy, the nearly century-old all-boys Catholic Benedictine high school, is shaking things up in a big way.

Starting as early as 2026, Marmion will embrace a hybrid co-ed model, marking the end of its 93-year run as a single-gender institution. That’s right, ladies—get ready to join the ranks (well, eventually).

Here’s the deal: freshmen and sophomores will stick to single-gender classrooms (baby steps, people), while juniors and seniors will get the full co-ed experience. The monks over at Marmion Abbey gave this the green light after a lot of study, prayer, and (I’m guessing) a few heated debates over coffee.

The Nov. 16 vote paves the way for a 2026-2027 rollout, but there are still plenty of details to iron out.

Why the Switch?

According to Abbot Joel Rippinger, OSB (a guy who clearly knows a thing or two about tradition), this move is all about progress with purpose. He said, “Our values—academic achievement, spiritual formation, and character development—are rock-solid, and this change lets us build on that while better serving the needs of today’s students.”

Translation: it’s about time Marmion stepped into the 21st century. The co-ed model offers benefits like:

Real-World Prep: Life isn’t single-sex, and neither is the workplace. A mix of perspectives in the classroom means students will sharpen those all-important collaboration skills.
Community Needs: The Catholic families in the Fox Valley want their daughters to experience Marmion’s unique Benedictine education.
Longevity: Welcoming girls ensures Marmion stays relevant and thriving for future generations.

This Isn’t Marmion’s First Rodeo

Adapting to change isn’t new for Marmion. Back in the day (1971, to be exact), they consolidated campuses.
In 1994, they shed the “Military” part of their name.
And in 2002, they wrapped up the residential program.
Each move helped Marmion evolve into what it is today—a place that prides itself on staying true to its roots while looking toward the future.

What’s Next?

For now, it’s all about the planning. Marmion is pulling together parents, students, faculty, and the whole school community to figure out how to make this shift a win for everyone. Expect more updates as they hammer out the specifics.

So, what do you think? A bold leap forward or a bittersweet farewell to Marmion’s all-boys legacy? Either way, it’s a new chapter in Marmion’s story, and we’re here for it.