The mission of Marist School is to form the whole person in the image of Christ through instruction grounded in religious values, the teachings of the Catholic Church, and the spirit of the Society of Mary. This mission is advanced through communal pursuit of excellence in academic, religious, extracurricular, leadership, and service programs.

The Society of Mary priests who, in 1901, founded a Marist military school for boys in downtown Atlanta would likely gaze wide-eyed at the rambling 78-acre Marist School campus of today, where 1,100 boys and girls are formed into servant leaders who use their God-given talents for good. Much has changed, yet the Marist mission, values, and spirit have been unwavering for more than 122 years, a result of the tireless dedication of the Marists and the steadfast support of the Marist School community.

In 2023, the Society of Mary and the Marist School Board of Trustees made a monumental move by welcoming J. D. Childs as Marist School’s first lay president. In doing so, they embraced a shared goal to safeguard the Marist mission into the future as they continue to shape young people in powerful ways that are distinctively Marist.

“Taking sacred care of the Marist Mission is a serious responsibility,” said J. D. Childs. “The Society of Mary has given us a cherished legacy that is important to preserve for the benefit of the students we educate, as well as our world. Creative fidelity to the mission means honoring our educational and spiritual inheritance while also being appropriately responsive to families and students. That is our challenge, hope, and joy.”

Marist Way in Action

The Marist mission is animated daily through expansive academic and extracurricular offerings that are supported and led by mission-driven faculty and staff. Marist School’s Identity Committee, which operates parallel to a Board-level Mission Committee, is tasked with identifying opportunities to bring the Marist mission to life. Eventually, the committee will help implement a mission effectiveness tool to ensure that the school’s fidelity to the Marist mission is reflected in the day-to-day pursuits of those in the school community.

Fortunately, there remains a strong religious presence on campus including Fr. John Ulrich, S.M., who models an energetic Marist way of being for students and motivates them to engage with their faith. Campus Ministry assumes the important role of guiding students on their faith journey and providing them with opportunities for community service, retreats, Mass, and prayer. Marist School’s Catholic identity also is symbolized across campus with crucifixes in each classroom as well as statues of the Virgin Mary near the chapel.

“The Marist mission is in practice and is visible every day at Marist School,” said Marist School Principal Kevin Mullally. “We continually strive to vitalize and strengthen the many ways the mission is integrated into the Marist educational experience.”

The Marist Way program, created by the Society of Mary as a way to maintain the school’s Catholicity and Marist identity, helps advance the Marist charism, values, and teachings. Marist Way Director Mike Coveny ’81 focuses on the formation of individuals in the school community to promote the spirit of the Society of Mary in terms of prayer, community, learning, service, and vocation.

“Through faculty and staff professional development, parent studies, Marist Way classes for students, and a yearly focus on a Marist theme, the Marist Way movement enhances our community understanding of what it means to be Marist and the remarkable way the Marists live the Gospel—that is, the way Mary lived it,” Coveny remarked.

Continued Society of Mary Partnership

Marist School’s Board of Trustees and leadership maintain a strong partnership with the Society of Mary. Marist School Rector Fr. Bill Rowland, S.M. embodies this ongoing relationship.

“The Society of Mary remains committed to Marist School,” commented Fr. Rowland. “My role as Rector is to partner with J. D. Childs to help broaden his Marist knowledge and liaise with my confrères in the Society of Mary USA on behalf of Marist School. It is proving to be a fruitful partnership on both sides, and I am certain the school’s strong Catholic emphasis and Marist philosophy of education will endure.”