Marshall School is an independent, coeducational, day school in Duluth, Minnesota for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Marshall School is sometimes referred to as Duluth Marshall at Minnesota State High School League athletic tournaments.
The mission of Marshall School is to inspire lifelong learners to embrace challenge and create positive change.
History
Cathedral Senior High School
Founded in 1904 by the Catholic Diocese of Duluth, Duluth Cathedral was originally a high school for boys. In 1910, the diocese added girls, but it wasn't until 1942 that the school was fully coeducational. In 1963, the school moved to the newly constructed campus on Rice Lake Road, where it remains to this day.
Marshall School
Marshall School is the Twin Ports flagship independent school and has served the Duluth area for more than a century. Founded in 1904 as Cathedral Senior High School, Marshall has adapted with Duluth as the educational needs of the community changed. The foundation of providing the highest-quality, college-preparatory educational experience to students in the area has always remained a part of the school's history.
Now a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), Marshall serves students age 4 -12th grade with personalized attention, small class sizes, and advanced academic experiences.
Originally located in downtown Duluth on the corner of 4th Street and 2nd Avenue, the school began as a Catholic high school. In the early 1960s, the school moved to its current location in Duluth on Rice Lake Road. It became an all-faith institution in the early 1970s, which led to a name change to Marshall School in 1987.
Marshall School expanded to include grades 7 and 8 in the early 1990s. Recently, Marshall has added grades 4, 5, and 6 in the past two decades, and in the fall of 2022 will be opening the Forest School. The Forest School will serve children ages four through fourth grade. Since 2006, Marshall has also had a robust international program with more than 200 students from nearly 44 countries.
Along with always being known as the Hilltoppers, Marshall's unique history has consistently upheld the values of exhibiting strong academic habits, integrity, respect, and compassion.
Campus
The campus is on a hillside overlooking Lake Superior and downtown Duluth and includes academic and technology centers, athletic fields, cross-country ski trails, tennis courts, a hockey rink, and fine arts and performance areas. In 2016, on-campus housing was added for international students.
Academics
Admissions
Each component of the admissions process is designed to assess the fit between school and student. The student essay, academic work, campus visit, and personal interviews as well as the placement test all provide important information for the family and Marshall School in helping to determine the enrollment decision.
The Admissions office does not select students solely on the basis of academic strength. A willingness to prioritize academics, the desire to be a "person of character", and a desire to be a part of the Marshall School community are essential qualities for a positive admission decision.
On average, 60% of students at Marshall receive need-based financial aid.
Upper school
The Marshall Upper School prepares students to be leaders in their communities, facilitators of their life-long learning experiences, and contributors to a more just and empathetic world. Educators create learning environments that inspire, broaden perspective, form connections, develop agency, and build community. A learning model that incorporates high academic standards and student-centered learning develops students’ abilities to solve problems, communicate effectively, think curiously and creatively, become engaged and ethical citizens, and develop agency and resiliency. The upper school experience is intentionally built to engage students and meet them where they are at, both academically and social-emotionally. The upper school community strives for students to have authentic and meaningful connections with other students, with their teachers, and with other community members. Students learn to think critically, work collaboratively, act courageously, and live compassionately. Through a variety of learning experiences, students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diverse perspectives and experiences of those around them.