Although the term groundbreaking may not be entirely appropriate in this case, it nevertheless describes what happened this spring. On March 31, 2026, we took the first major step toward establishing Saint Ferdinand’s Academy by purchasing the former St. Clair High School building, which had stood vacant for more than a decade.
In late 2024, our board recognized the building as a historic and unique place where tradition could take root and flourish. Gradually, the idea of founding Saint Ferdinand’s Academy took shape: a classical Catholic boarding high school for boys in grades 9-12, dedicated to forming the souls of young men in the Catholic tradition.
At Saint Ferdinand’s Academy, education means forming the whole person - mind, body, and soul - so that boys may grow into faithful sons, strong men, priests, religious, husbands, fathers, craftsmen, leaders, and citizens who understand why they were made.
The building itself was originally constructed in 1921, with additions completed in 1952 and 1989. It first served as the local high school and later, as a junior high school after the high school moved to its current location. By the time we purchased the property in March 2026, the building had been vacant for more than ten years and had come close to being converted into an apartment complex. God willing, when Saint Ferdinand’s Academy opens in September 2027, the building will once again serve the very purpose for which it was built: educating the next generation of saints.
The local public high schoolers in St Clair are still called St Clair Saints. While we are a private, laymen-run school, we think it’s providential that, for so many decades, Saints walked the halls, made friends, sought excellence, all in the name of St Clair.
As the pictures show, the building is situated in the heart of St. Clair, close to the waterfront. The surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities for walks through well-maintained neighborhoods and along the world’s largest freshwater boardwalk. With its walkable streets and welcoming atmosphere, Saint Clair provides an ideal setting for a Catholic boarding school rooted in the rich tradition of the Church’s 2,000-year history.
The city of Saint Clair takes its name from the nearby river and lake, which were named after Saint Clare of Assisi because French explorers, including Father Louis Hennepin, arrived in the area on her feast day, August 12, in 1679. The city itself dates back to 1817 and is located in the eastern part of Michigan’s Thumb region.
Renovation work began soon after the purchase. In the spring of 2026, we hired Westhaven Builders - a local company that also renovated the historic St. Clair Inn - to stabilize and renovate the building. The work is expected to continue through the summer of 2027, shortly before we welcome our first freshman class in fall 2027.
We look forward to sharing more updates on the renovation and the development of Saint Ferdinand’s Academy in the coming months. If you would like to follow our progress and stay informed about the latest news, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter!
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For inquiries about Saint Ferdinand’s Academy, please contact info@stferdinand.org
