Established in 1858 as an Episcopal mission school and seminary, within a decade the school grew to include Shattuck Military Academy, St. Mary's Hall for girls and later (in 1901) St. James School for younger boys. In 1974, the three schools dropped all military programs and combined as Shattuck-St. Mary's. It is now known for its Centers of Excellence programs in engineering, BiosScience, The Major, pre-conservatory music, and vocal performance, as well as hockey, soccer, figure skating, and golf. Approximately 80% of its students are boarders.[citation needed]
SSM opened an expansion school at the Beijing Bayi School in Beijing, China in 2013, but ended the partnership in 2016 over disagreements regarding control and funding.[3] Another campus was planned to open in Suzhou in 2017.[4]
In 2018, SSM opened its first dedicated international campus in Forest City, Johor, Malaysia.[5] In June 2024, the school rebranded as Forest City International School and ended its association with SSM.[6]
National recognition
SSM categorizes education areas in "Centers of Excellence", which cover bioscience, engineering, the major, figure skating, golf, ice hockey, soccer, pre-conservatory music, and vocal performance.[7][8]
SSM has won 36 USA Hockey national championships among its eight hockey teams:[9]
SSM's soccer program has also had success in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy league. In the 2012–13 season, SSM's Boys U17/U18 team placed first in its division,[10] and later became national runners-up, losing to the New York Red Bulls in overtime.[11] In the 2013–14 season, the team placed second in its division.[12]
The Upper School, which includes students in grades 10–12 as well as postgraduates, is located on the Shattuck campus. Opportunities include commitment to a Center of Excellence, extracurricular sports, the arts, the honors program, college counseling, and senior leadership and service projects.[15] Located within St. Mary's Hall, less than half a mile from the Upper School, the Middle School program provides students from grades 6–9.[16]
Global education
In 2013, SSM embarked on a partnership with Beijing Bayi School which culminated in the creation of a satellite campus known as SSM-Bayi in Beijing, China. The program offered classes preparing students for the Chinese Huikao examinations as well as a traditional American curriculum featuring Advanced Placement courses and preparation for SAT tests. SSM-Bayi students also had the opportunity to attend summer sessions at the main SSM campus in Faribault. The first contract between the two school lasted until 2014.[17]
BioScience
The BioScience Program is an experiential academic program. The curricula includes studies of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology, and also of social and ethical dilemmas in the medical field.[18] The program is housed within Fayfield Hall, which features laboratory classroom space dedicated solely to BioScience education.[19]
Engineering
In the fall of 2014, SSM opened the Engineering Program.[20] The program is housed within Fayfield Hall, which includes access to an engineering lab equipped with a 3-D printer, laser cutter, and a mechanical assembly and testing area, as well as an architectural design studio.[21]
Arts
The school has a variety arts courses. There are annual theater and dance productions. Musical groups include vocal and chamber wind ensembles.[22]
Pre-Conservatory Music
The Pre-Conservatory Program offers serious and talented musicians ample practice time on campus, weekly lessons with Master Teachers at universities in the Twin Cities, courses in music theory, and numerous performance opportunities as a soloist and ensemble member. The program has been referred to as "Prodigy High" due to its success, and has been compared to music programs at top private arts schools.[23]
Vocal Performance
The Vocal Performance Program consists of classes on campus and training through Minnesota Opera's Project Opera program and the Hennepin Theater Trust's Spotlight Program.[24]
On-campus athletic facilities include two and a half indoor ice arenas, an 18-hole golf course, an all-weather running track, grass soccer fields, a domed indoor field house with a full-size turf soccer field, an outdoor turf soccer field, six tennis courts, two gymnasiums, a weight-room facility, and training facilities.[25]
Intramural sports
Along with the Center of Excellence sports, numerous interscholastic sports opportunities are offered in a three-season program and include Basketball, Baseball, Fencing, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Spring League Hockey, Running Club, Tennis, Volleyball, and Ultimate Frisbee. Many Center of Excellence athletes are able to cross-over into these intramural sports for at least one semester a year.[25]
Hockey
The Hockey Center of Excellence consists of five boys teams, ranging in age from U14 to U18, and three girls' teams.[26] All teams play a seven-month schedule, averaging 50–75 games a season, plus tournaments. Since the late 1990s, the program has had a considerable amount of domestic and international success, including a total of 36 USA Hockey National Championships. The school was described by ESPN as the "Hogwarts of Hockey," and "to hockey what Harvard is to law."[27] Some players go on to participate in collegiate and Junior League Hockey, and in some cases, the NHL and the Winter Olympics.[28]
Soccer
Started in 2005, the Soccer Center of Excellence is one of three more recognized soccer residential programs in the country, and the only one to fully combine school and sport. The program has five teams: two girls' and four boys'. More SSM soccer players sign to play for NCAA Division I colleges than any other high school in the country, and the school has produced professional players, such as Teal Bunbury[29] The program is now a competitive member of MLS Next.[30]
Figure skating
Founded in 2006, the Figure Skating Center of Excellence offers the first elite figure skating program integrated with academics in a boarding school environment, and provides a balance between training, competing, and schooling.[31] Skaters compete domestically and internationally, often in national championships in their home countries.[32]
Golf
Founded in 2012, the Golf Center of Excellence allows athletes to compete in American Junior Golf Association and Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) events, and combines an academic setting with an intensive 10 month golf program. During the spring and fall, practice sessions take place at The Legacy Golf Course, and during the winter an indoor facility is used, including a turf room with a putting and chipping green, a video and putting analysis room with JC Video software and TOMI putting system, and locker rooms. Training through the winter combined with travel to tournaments and events in warmer climates provides experience and exposure to young golfers from the Midwest, where such opportunities are limited.[33]
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