Our Graduates

Each year, we see consistently high rates of admission to top choice high schools, including Catholic, charter and independent options. While preference for specific schools—especially independent schools—varies annually, we regularly see interest in Ben Franklin and De La Salle, our top 2 matriculations; Newman and St. Martin's are our most frequently seen independent school matriculations. Recently, Catholic schools like Jesuit, Dominican and St. Augustine have grown in popularity for our 8th grade graduates, though data since 2010 shows 40% of graduates have attended Catholic high schools, 37% have attended independent high schools and 23% have attended charter high schools.

These sixteen schools represent the most frequently attended and most recently attended high schools for StG graduates:

• Academy of the Sacred Heart
• Archbishop Chapelle High School
• Benjamin Franklin High School
• Brother Martin High School
• De La Salle High School
• Holy Cross School
• Isidore Newman School
• Jesuit High School
• Louise S. McGehee School for Girls
• Metairie Park Country Day School
• New Harmony High School
• New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
• St. Augustine High School
• St. Martin's Episcopal School
• St. Mary's Dominican High School
• The Willow School

Others, not including out-of-state moves, since 2010: Cabrini, Christ Episcopal School, St. Katharine Drexel, Patrick Taylor HS, Pope John Paul II, Rummel, St. Therese and Ursuline

Each 8th grade family's high school application process is given a significant amount of attention by St. George's administration, beginning with parent meetings after the start of the school year. These meetings, attended by Dr. Kreutziger (Head of School) and Ms. Jones (Director of Middle School), represent an opportunity for parents and guardians to share their high school hopes and dreams for their children. Faculty on each child's success team also offer thoughts and feedback, contributing to the school's recommendations of high schools to tour and visit.

Other ways St. George's supports the high school search:

• Advisory and Life Skills meetings in 8th grade, including attention to interviewing
• High school visits to campus: This year, St. George's will welcome the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Ben Franklin, Country Day De La Salle, Newman, NOCCA and St. Martin's to campus for info sessions with our 8th graders and their parents.
• Our success team approach ensures that the voices and experiences of our faculty with their 8th grade students are considered when recommending high schools to parents.
• Capstone year goals: The StG capstone year is dedicated to each student’s mastery of their individual learning styles and goals; our eighth graders build independence, confidence and self-advocacy—all skills necessary for success in high school and the larger world outside of St. George's walls.

High School Search and Application Timeline

• August/September: Advisory conferencing, family meetings and MAP Benchmark 1
• October/November: Student meetings, attending open houses, taking tours and going to Spend-a-Days
• December: Applications due and MAP Benchmark 2
• January: StG sem. 1 report cards, recommendations and admissions calls
• February-April: acceptance notifications and deposits due
• May: StG Recognition Rally and Graduation at St. George’s Episcopal Church

We believe that ending in 8th grade provides a purposeful and protective environment for younger learners—especially during their most formative years. By focusing exclusively on early childhood through middle school, we create a space where students can grow, lead and belong—without the pressures that come from sharing a campus with much older peers. Our oldest students are still children themselves, and that matters.

Why end in 8th Grade?

• Age-Appropriate Environment: Students are surrounded by peers who are developmentally similar, without exposure to high school behaviors, pressures or social dynamics.

• Intentional Leadership Opportunities: Middle schoolers become the “top Dragons” on campus, stepping into meaningful leadership roles and modeling positive behavior for younger students.

• Honoring Childhood: Without the social pressures of high school looming early, students can stay younger for longer—and that’s a gift.

• Focused Support for Adolescence: Our program is designed specifically around the unique academic, emotional and social needs of pre-teens—rather than squeezing them into a model that also serves teenagers.

• Stronger Sense of Community: With no high school division, our entire school community—from toddlers to 8th graders—feels tight-knit, familiar and deeply connected.

• Confident High School Transitions: Graduates leave St. George’s prepared and excited for what comes next, with the confidence that comes from being seen, known and celebrated in their final years here.

St. George's 8th graders are leaders of the school, or, as we like to say, Top Dragons. Ample opportunities for leadership exist, including through Student Council and our House System, as well as through athletics, the Middle School Play, the buddy system and more. 

Special traditions and privileges for 8th graders include:

• A 4-day overnight trip to Washington, D.C. and Virginia
• Red "Class of" t-shirts presented during the Stepping Up to 8th Grade Ceremony at the end of the students' 7th grade year
• Red outerwear—usually a sweatshirt—that's exclusive to 8th graders and, in recent experience, worn year-round regardless of outside temperatures
• Leading the annual Peace Rally, a school-wide assembly that encourages students to be upstanders and exemplars of our core values
• Serving as House Leaders for the Dragons, Spartans and Trojans, St. George's three Houses
• Lunch and dismissal privileges outside in the Middle School Commons
• Participation in May's Recognition Rally, an exciting, heart-warming and celebratory tradition when students' high school choices are revealed to the StG community
• Being buddies to StG Kindergarten students, visiting with them monthly and helping them as they participate in their own special traditions like our Kindergarten Mardi Gras parade
• The beautiful 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony at St. George's Episcopal Church where Dr. Kreutziger honors and recognizes each individual graduate with personalized remarks—a tradition his predecessor, Dr. Eichberger, started during his 35-year tenure