Physical education
Preschool students have PE twice a week, while students in kindergarten through 8th grade have PE three times a week. Classes use the full-size gymnasium, and the blacktop and grassy area outdoors.
Pre-K 3 through 8th · All-day preschool · St. Louis, MO
Catholic education rooted in family spirit since 1938
Our Lady of the Pillar School serves Pre-K 3 through 8th grade — including all-day preschool options — preparing students for academic excellence, faithful discipleship, and lives of service in the heart of St. Louis.
This week
Notices
ImpactLife Blood Drive
Sunday, November 22, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. In the Parish Life Center, 401 S. Lindbergh Blvd. See the bulletin to schedule!
Latest bulletin
Gift of Mary Luncheon, Nov. 17, 2026
Our parish and school will host a special luncheon for men and women who are shut-in and served by the Gift of Mary Center, a ministry of the Missionaries of Charity founded by St Teresa of Calcutta. Volunteers needed, see the flyer in the bulletin for details.
Latest bulletin
The Pillar Difference
Educating the whole child—academically, spiritually, morally
Our Lady of the Pillar School comprises three interconnected areas: the Early Childhood Program, the Elementary Grades, and the Middle School. Our school is united through our mission, our integrated curriculum, and our strong school community. We are focused on helping each individual student reach his or her full potential—academically, spiritually, and morally.
Our Lady of the Pillar School is a Marianist Catholic Faith Community that educates the whole child, honors each individual's uniqueness, and lives the Gospel Values.Explore our programs
- Marianist charism
- Pre-K 3–8 · all-day preschool
- Family community
Find Your Path
Programs for every stage of growth
Three interconnected areas—one united mission. Select a program to learn how OLP nurtures students from their first classroom through 8th grade graduation.
Pre-K 3 – K
Preschool & Kindergarten
Where curiosity meets Catholic formation
Two levels of preschool, plus full-day and half-day options. Children thrive socially, intellectually, physically, and spiritually within our larger school family.
- Full-day and half-day preschool options
- Preschool beginning at 3 years and Junior Kindergarten beginning at 4 years
- Nurtured by the whole Pillar community
- Prepared for a lifetime of learning
Faith formationPlay-based learningSchool readiness
Learn more about Preschool & KindergartenCurriculum
Why Choose Pillar?
- Students thrive socially, intellectually, physically, and spiritually
- Students are nurtured and protected by our larger school community
- Your child will be prepared for a lifetime of learning
- Both full day and half day options in preschool
- Two preschool classrooms - preschool for 3 year olds turning 4 and junior kindergarten for 4 year olds turning 5
- We offer a variety of after school clubs and activities, plus aftercare until 5:30pm
Special classes and the library are part of programs. Special classesLibrary
Curriculum
What students study
The school’s philosophy is the foundation from which the administration and faculty make decisions. Curriculum choices and teaching methods come from the purpose and goals of the school.
- Students are treated as individuals with unique potentials and needs
- Creativity and participation are encouraged, and individuals are challenged
- Teaching methods vary so each student can learn
- Self-discipline is the goal of order and structure
- Students are formed into life-long learners
Students take the NWEA Assessment three times a year. Results are used to inform instruction.
Core subjects
- Language arts: reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, oral communication, and handwriting
- Math
- Religion
- Science
- Social studies
- STEM
- Spanish
- Library
- Music
- Art
- Physical education
Specials
Classes beyond the homeroom
Students have a full set of special classes each week. A few meet more than once.
Music
Weekly music class includes basic music theory and learning songs, for students of all musical abilities. Students may sing in the Youth Choir, which sings at weekly Mass, or join the Bell Choir, which performs on holy days and holidays. The school presents an Advent Christmas program in early December.
Spanish
Jr. Kindergarten through 5th grade attend Spanish once a week. Grades 6–8 attend twice a week. Younger students start with greetings, counting, colors, and names of people, places, and objects. By 8th grade, students conjugate verbs and write and speak about a variety of tasks and activities.
Art
Preschool through 8th grade attend art once a week. Students explore techniques, mediums, art terms, and styles of artists. Mediums include clay, paint, pastels, pencils, cut paper, papier-mâché, fiber, and more. Student art is on display throughout the school.
STEM lab
Preschool through 8th grade attend weekly STEM classes using the KidSpark curriculum, with lessons for each grade. Upper grades emphasize robotics and coding. The lab and materials are also available for projects in other classes.
Library
The OLP library
The library is a large space for children to explore reading. The collection has close to 10,000 items, fiction and nonfiction, for every age.
Weekly classroom visits include storytime for the younger students, time to browse and check out books, and free reading. Students also learn library skills for their age: book care, finding books by author in ABC order, finding books by call number in the Dewey Decimal System, biographies, and reference materials such as a dictionary, encyclopedia, and atlas.
Students who want to may use Accelerated Reader. They read a book of their choice and take a short online quiz. The score shows whether they are understanding and remembering what they read.
Academics & Formation
More than classrooms—a complete Catholic education
Faith Formation
Daily religion classes, school Masses, sacramental preparation, and a Marianist charism woven through every grade level.
Whole-Child Education
A full-time Learning Consultant supports students with special learning needs alongside degreed, certified faculty. In grades 2–4, qualified students can participate in reading and math STRETCH classes.
Enrichment & Specials
Extracurricular clubs and activities allow students to pursue individual interests.
Community & Service
Monthly local outreach activities serving the St. Louis community, plus active parent involvement through the Parents' Club. All students participate in an annual day of service.
Student Life
Learning, faith & friendship on campus
From preschool discovery to middle school leadership—OLP students grow together as one Marianist school family.
Outcomes That Matter
Results families can count on
OLP's track record speaks for itself—from high school placement to weekly service in the St. Louis community.
100%
First-choice high school placement
100% of OLP 8th graders achieve acceptance to their first-choice high school each year.
Monthly
Community outreach
Monthly local outreach activities serving the St. Louis community.
PK 3–8
One community, three divisions
Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School students share one mission, one campus, and one Marianist family spirit—supported by degreed faculty and active parent volunteers.
AccreditedFaith-centeredWhole-child
Marianist Education
Family spirit in every classroom
Our Lady of the Pillar School lives the Marianist values of family spirit and welcome every day. Degreed, certified faculty and parent volunteers form one faith community focused on helping each student reach their full potential—academically, spiritually, and morally.
Our Lady of the Pillar School is a Marianist Catholic Faith Community that educates the whole child, honors each individual's uniqueness, and lives the Gospel Values.
Family Spirit
Welcome
Discipleship of Equals
Why families choose OLP School
- 1Accredited by the National Federation of Non-Public School State Accrediting Associations
- 2Coeducational Pre-K 3 through 8th grade, including all-day preschool
- 3Three areas united by one mission and curriculum
- 4Full-time Learning Consultant for diverse learning needs
- 5Monthly local outreach and active Parents’ Club partnership
- 6100% first-choice high school placement for 8th graders
School Life
Upcoming Events
The next gatherings on the school calendar.
Robotics
Tuesday, November 10
All day- School
4th Grade St. Patrick's Center
Tuesday, November 10
All day- School
Veterans' Day Celebration
Wednesday, November 11
All day- School
MakerSpace
Wednesday, November 11
All day- School
After school
Skyhawks Aftercare
Aftercare runs each school day from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., and on most half days. Skyhawks St. Louis leads the program. Registration is with Skyhawks.
Tell your child’s teacher and the school office when your child will attend. Skyhawks takes attendance each day. They do not keep an advance list of who is coming.
Please note
First day of school
There is no aftercare on the first day of school.
There is also no aftercare on the last day of school in the spring.
For cost, contact the school office. Call the school office at (314) 993-3353.
Begin Your Journey
Experience the Pillar difference in person
Families with a child entering Preschool through 8th grade are always welcome for a personal tour — call the school office to schedule. Tuition schedules for preschool and for kindergarten through 8th grade are posted on the inquire page.
School Office
- 403 S. Lindbergh Blvd
Frontenac, MO 63131 - (314) 993-3353
- School-year hours7:15 AM – 4:00 PM (school-year weekdays)Summer hoursJune & July: weekdays 8:00 AM – noon · August (before classes): weekdays 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Who to call
Contact the school
Reach the school office, principal, or other staff. The full staff list, with photos and email addresses, is linked below.
Photos, names, titles, and email addresses for the whole staff.
All school staffCurrent families: grades, the directory, and assignments live in Gradelink. School ID 3992.
Open GradelinkSchool Office
403 S. Lindbergh Blvd
Frontenac, MO 63131
(314) 993-3353·Fax (314) 993-2172
7:15 AM – 4:00 PM (school-year weekdays)
Dr. Mark Gilligan
Principal
Kate Austin
Administrative Assistant
- All school staff
Our Parish
Parish & school—one Marianist family
Our Lady of the Pillar Parish is a Marianist community of worship, sacrament, and service—sharing the same campus where our children learn and grow.