On January 14, 1879, Pope Leo XIII authorized the establishment of a seminary dedicated to training priests for Polish immigrant communities in the United States, following a petition by Rev. Leopold Moczygemba.[4]
Initially known as "The Polish Seminary," the institution was officially founded in 1885 by Józef Dąbrowski, who became its first rector. It was originally located at 4671 St. Aubin Street in Detroit. Due to expanding enrollment, the seminary moved to the former campus of the Michigan Military Academy in Orchard Lake Village in 1909 under the leadership of Rev. Witold Buchaczkowski.[5]
In 2020, St. Mary's transitioned to a co-divisional model by admitting female students. Classes are taught in single-sex classrooms, while extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, and arts programs are co-educational.[7]
More than 60% of the school's 90 courses are offered at Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) levels.[9]
St. Mary's is accredited by the Michigan Non-Public Schools Accrediting Association (MNSAA), the Archdiocese of Detroit, the Detroit Catholic League, Oakland Schools Consortium, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).[10]
Campus and Student Life
Main school building, originally part of the Michigan Military Academy.
St. Mary's Preparatory is noted for its unique historic campus, originally home to the Michigan Military Academy. Key historical buildings include the administration building, known as "The Castle," originally constructed as a mansion overlooking Orchard Lake for Joseph Tarr Copeland, the founder of the Michigan Military Academy. The campus also houses the Chapel of Our Lady of Orchard Lake, the official Archdiocesan Shrine for St. John Paul II, who visited campus and said mass at the Chapel in 1969 and 1976 while serving as the Archbishop of Krakow.
In addition to historic buildings, the campus offers modern athletic and recreational facilities, including a hockey arena, multiple gymnasiums (one of which was originally a riding stable for Michigan Military Academy cadets), weight rooms, multiple baseball and softball stadiums, a wrestling room and a crew boathouse on Orchard Lake.[11]
The campus includes the Polish Home Army Museum and numerous other collections highlighting Polish military and cultural history, housed primarily in the Ark Building. These museums open to the public on the first Sunday of each month ("Polish Sundays").[13]
Boarding Program
St. Mary's Preparatory provides boarding options for both five-day and seven-day resident students.[14]
Stanley E. Milewski – Chancellor of Orchard Lake Schools (1977-2000) and namesake of Milewski Field.[17]
Walter J. Ziemba – Rector of SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary (1969-1987) and longtime Orchard Lake historian.[18]
Thomas C. Machalski Jr. – Chancellor-Rector of Orchard Lake Schools (2012-2018); Catholic chaplain to the New York Mets.[19]
Stanley Ulman – Detroit-area priest and Polish-American community leader.[20]
Leonard F. Chrobot – Catholic priest, author and former president of St. Mary’s College, Orchard Lake (Class of 1956).
Lawrence W. Kulik – U.S. Air Force staff sergeant, decorated Vietnam War veteran, honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Roll of Honor (Class of 1968).
Leonard S. Suchyta – Vice-President & Associate General Counsel for Intellectual Property, Verizon Communications (2000-2011).[21]
Joseph Majcher – Former mayor (and current councilman) of Orchard Lake Village; retired General Motors executive and engineer.[22]
Mac Watts – Nashville country singer-songwriter.[23]
Ludvik F. Koci – Former President & CEO, Detroit Diesel Allison Corp.; longtime Penske Corporation director.[24]
Walter Knysz, DDS – Founder of Great Expressions Dental Centers and UnifiedSmiles practice-management network.[25]
George Porritt, former Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, Head Basketball Coach, Head Lacrosse Coach. MHSAA Hall of Fame. Won ten total state championships across all three sports.
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