Academics & Departments

At our academic core, we are a college prep school. More than 98% of our students go on to four-year colleges—many of them with college credit already earned while in high school—and 77% of our seniors earn at least one scholarship.

We have aligned our curriculum to teach not just the academic content, but also college readiness skills, and Spartans score an average of 25.7 on the ACT, 5 points higher than Missouri’s average. More telling than this statistic, however is that our students improve their ACT scores by an average of 5.7 points from sophomore year—more than twice the national average of 2.3.

Your son will graduate prepared for college. He’ll know how to study, how to do homework, how to manage his time, how to collaborate with classmates, and when to turn to teachers or other resources for help.

Our alumni attend colleges and universities throughout Missouri and top universities ranging from the Ivy League to military academies. De Smet Jesuit is consistently one of the top feeder high schools to Jesuit universities across the country.

Our 8:30 a.m. start time was established for a reason. So was our modified 8-period block schedule. We want our students to be rested, healthy, and ready to enjoy the energy of a high school experience.

Students have seven classes plus a study period per semester, attending four classes per day on a rotating basis. This schedule has resulted in calmer transitions in the hallways, lowered stress levels, and enhanced quality class time.

De Smet Jesuit’s balanced approach to academics, religious formation, community service, athletics and clubs helps us form well-rounded graduates.

Your son will receive individualized attention and encouragement at De Smet Jesuit. He will not be a statistic in a school district’s files.

One of our guiding characteristics is cura personalis, a Latin term that means “care for the whole person.” Not every student comes from the same background or shares the same interests. Not every student learns at the same pace or through the same teaching method.

Our average class size is 20 students, and the student to teacher ratio is 10:1. We value meaningful relationships, and each student is assigned a Personal/Academic Counselor, a College Counselor, and a homeroom teacher for their four years at De Smet Jesuit, ensuring consistency and connection.

For course workloads, we challenge each student at his level and adapt accordingly each semester. We offer advanced honors classes, peer tutors, and creative electives.

Our course offerings also include traditional college preparatory courses and courses for students who need more focus on the fundamentals. We have a full-service learning center for students who have mild to moderate learning differences but are also college bound.

We are committed to meeting each student where he is academically and helping him strive to his best potential.

We know the future work environment for our current students will demand men who can collaborate with others, incorporate technology, and adapt to an ever-changing landscape.

On a daily basis our students work on personal tablets, organize assignments via an online course management system, and have access to our Innovation Center and classrooms equipped for modern engagement.

Programs like our Global Education Certificate and our signature four-year service plan empower students to expand their world view of global issues and impact the future for all of us.

A Jesuit-educated student develops a perspective well-suited for today’s evolving challenges and opportunities. Jesuits believe that prayer is complemented by actions of love. Called “God’s Marines,” they are pragmatists and problem solvers.

Your son will become a “man for and with others” by learning the value of giving back to his fellow man. Students are taught to understand that talents are gifts to be developed, not for self-satisfaction or self-gain, but rather, with the help of God and for the good of the human community. De Smet Jesuit offers a four-year, comprehensive service program which encourages students to become centered on others.