history
For more than 90 years, The Castle on Hackberry Street in the Cincinnati city neighborhood of East Walnut Hills has been a keeper of Purcell Marian milestones and memories. Founded on the faithful charisms of The Marianists, the Purcell Marian family of schools includes St. Mary, Marian, Regina, Purcell, and Purcell Marian High Schools. Together, we comprise one of the largest Catholic families (15,000+ strong) in Greater Cincinnati, serving a diverse population of students since 1928.
Purcell Marian is concentrated on inclusiveness and preparing our graduates for post-secondary professional opportunities in our ever-changing world through our Career Initiatives Program and International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Additionally, our school community is committed to values and traditions where friendships bloom across the boundaries of socioeconomics, gender, abilities, race, or religion, rendering our students uniquely positioned for successful futures.
Purcell Marian graduates enjoy an enlightened high school experience that gives them a unique advantage at graduation. Our tagline, “Together. Onward Cavaliers!” comes from the original Purcell fight song, embracing our combined history and encompassing the fundamentals that make us different by design.
Marianist Education at Purcell Marian
Purcell Marian is one of just 19 Marianist high schools in the U.S. and one of only four schools with a Marianist Excel Program, which concentrates on providing financial aid, academic and social support, to high-achieving students from urban elementary schools.
The Society of Mary (Marianists) was founded by three rebel friends during the French Revolution and then brought to the United States in 1849, landing in Cincinnati. Today, Marianist women and men serve as equals, devoted to the ministry of Mary, education, the arts, services to others, and social justice in 34 countries.
Our students increase their knowledge of the Marianist faith by participating in curriculum activities focused on the 5 Marianists pillars.
Year 1 – Community/Inclusivity
Year 2 – Faith
Year 3 – Mary
Year 4 – Leaders in Mission
Our Family of Schools
St Mary High School (1908-1963)
Marian High School (1963-1981)
St. Mary High School began in Hyde Park in 1908, as a co-ed parish school – the first school of its kind in Cincinnati. In 1928, St. Mary became a diocesan regional high school for girls only. The boys who had been enrolled there were transferred to the new Purcell High School.
In 1963, St. Mary High School was renamed Marian High School when the staff, faculty and students relocated to a new building located on Madison Road in O’Bryonville. Marian continued to be an all-girls school under the administration of the Sisters of Charity and was staffed by sisters, priests, and lay men and women until a merger with Purcell High School in 1981. The former Marian building now houses The Springer School.
Regina High School (1928-1977)
Regina High School was an all-girls Catholic school that was founded in 1928. Regina is Latin for “queen,” and is a name that suggests a woman who is confident, self-assured, and able to lead. The Sisters of the Precious Blood operated the all-girls high school at 5400 Fenwick Ave in Norwood, next to the seminary and the Archbishop’s home at the corner of Fenwick and Quatman Avenue. The last graduating class was in 1977.
Purcell High School (1928-1981)
Purcell High School began in 1928 as an Archdiocesan high school for young men, located on Hackberry Street and was given the name Purcell in honor of the first Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, John Baptist Purcell. Purcell High School was under the administration of the Society of Mary and was staffed by Marianist brothers, Marianist priests, and lay men and women. The Eveslage Athletic Center was dedicated in 1971.
Purcell Marian High School (1981-Present)
The Castle on Hackberry Street is the keeper of Purcell Marian milestones and memories. Purcell Marian High School concentrates on inclusiveness and preparing graduates for post-secondary opportunities in our ever-changing world. We are committed to values and traditions where friendships bloom across the boundaries of socioeconomics, gender, abilities, race, and religion, thus rendering our students uniquely positioned for successful futures. Our tagline, “Together. Onward Cavaliers!” comes from the original Purcell fight song, and it embraces our combined history by encompassing the fundamentals that make us different by design.
