Marmion Academy Embraces Co-Education

A few weeks ago, Hugo Saltijeral witnessed a significant moment as his daughter participated in her first After-School Formation at Marmion Academy in Aurora. This event is a traditional parade-like occasion for students in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or JROTC. Seeing his daughter, Peyton, in her uniform for the first time was overwhelming, as this was a moment neither of them thought possible until recently.

Marmion Academy, previously an all-boys school, welcomed female students for the first time this school year. This change was the result of extensive discussions and over a year of preparation, including facility upgrades and the introduction of sports teams for girls. This transition marked a pivotal moment for Marmion, a school with a rich history nearing a century in Aurora.

The Rev. Joel Rippinger, abbot of Marmion Abbey, reflects on the school’s transformative history. In the 1930s, it became a military academy under the U.S. War Department, known as Marmion Military Academy. The school underwent several transitions, such as moving to its current facility on Butterfield Road in 1959 and closing its residential program in 2003 due to low enrollment. The transition to co-education was the most recent change, announced in late 2024 for the 2026-27 school year.

The shift aims to maintain academic integrity and sustain programs and facilities, Rippinger explained. While the decision was not solely based on enrollment, the school experienced a drop in numbers, sitting at 415 students this year, up from 410 last year. Of these, 41 are female students.

Adjustments for the inclusion of female students involved updating facilities, creating new uniforms, and expanding sports programs. Female students at Marmion now have opportunities to participate in sports like swimming, volleyball, cross-country, basketball, wrestling, soccer, and track and field.

Despite considerable preparation, the integration was seamless. The annual “Clap-In” welcomed the female students into school, where they quickly adapted to the new environment. Courses remain gender-segregated for freshmen and sophomores, with plans for future upperclassmen to attend mixed-sex classes.

Although some preferred the school to remain single-sex, the transition ultimately garnered support from the community, including alumni. Approximately 80% of new female students engage in sports, highlighting the school’s emphasis on leadership and hospitality. The Mentor Program also facilitated this smooth transition.

This change has also affected Rosary College Prep, the nearby all-girls school, prompting them to host their own homecoming week. There remains some crossover between the two schools in band, theater productions, and advanced classes.

Peyton Saltijeral, 14, was eager to join Marmion, hearing about the school from her father and brothers, who also attended. Peyton has embraced her new role as a Cadet, participating in JROTC and various sports, appreciating the opportunity to compete and grow. Her father, who graduated in 1997, hopes this experience offers her the same growth he achieved.

Rippinger emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards while adapting to changes, pointing to ongoing facility upgrades as vital for competitiveness. The school has introduced new frameworks for spiritual development, aiming to enhance its Benedictine tradition and maintain relevance.