“In my class, we talk about standards. We talk about expectations on what you want for your life. And so being able to identify those things at 13 years old and knowing what you want for your future…is really eye opening.”

Nick McDowell

Today’s guest is Nick McDowell, the Director of Graduate Support at Loyola Academy. Nick sat down with Staci to discuss the support Loyola Academy offers their students, encouraging parents to be more engaged with their child’s education, and helping students choose the right school for them.

Nick’s personal K-12 story

• Nick was born and raised in St. Louis
• He works to help our people in our community have access to good education and just being a good person for them
• He grew up in inner city
• Went to SLPS through 3rd grade
• Went to Webster Groves High School until 2001 when he graduated

What is Loyola Academy?

• It’s an all-boy private middle school here in Saint Louis
• Upper Elementary just started this year
• “We serve young men in the Saint Louis region who are interested in college preparatory preparation for college prep high schools. And so Loyola Academy is here really for those individuals and families that want to be successful academically, be successful as young men in our region.”

Tell us about the work that you do as the director of graduate support

• His team works with our staff in seventh grade, second semester, working with individuals on identifying the best high school for them
• We tour all of our high schools. 
• We do reflection papers on high schools. 
• We work with families through the application process, which is very can be daunting if you don’t understand that process
• His team works with them after their high school selection process. 
• They work with them in their high schools, visiting and focusing on social emotional support, academic support and basic needs.
• They partner with about 17 different private schools in Saint Louis
• They do a lot from ACT prep to helping apply to colleges
• Once they’re in that post-secondary position, they’re still supported and checked in on

What is one of the most challenging opportunities that comes with working in a middle school environment with a 10 to 13 year old boy?

• That’s such an impressionable age
• They need to see positivity, someone who looks like them, someone who is 
• “I think being in a space where you can engage with the young men, where they see positivity, they see someone that looks like them, they see someone that is advocating for them early…it sets a good foundation for who they are.”

One of the things that was really impressive to my staff when they visited Loyola is just the amount of young black men that it’s in the school. Was that intentional for you all? 

• They want to prepare young men
• Especially for those who have been impeded by social or economic status or circumstances. And so we don’t turn away anybody of any race or color.
• The Loyola community is predominantly African-American. And it works well for not only our students, but for the families as well.

What is one of the greatest challenges that you see facing the kind of state of education in Saint Louis City right now? 

• COVID did a number academically
• In general, I think we have to have families more involved and engaged with the learning environment.

What do you think is one of the most important things that parents should consider when they’re looking at these critical transition points from elementary to middle or middle to high schools?

• With the 17 schools that they partner with, it really becomes about the best fit.
• Some schools are predominantly white, some predominantly black, some single-gendered schools. So it’s just about finding what fits best for the individual given the options
• “In my class, we talk about standards. We talk about expectations on what you want for your life. And so being able to identify those things at 13 years old and knowing what you want for your future…is really eye opening.”
• Nick is helping them make pros and cons lists and helping them understand the research

Can you talk about some of the academic outcomes that you guys have been able to achieve at Loyola?

• They take in people at the 30% percentile range and get them to a 60-70% range (50% means you’re at grade level)
• They instill a level of confidence in the kids through character education, etc

 What’s something that gives you hope about the future of education in Saint Louis?

• We are in a very tech world
• Schools are getting more innovating with technology
• Although Covid was negative, people got better using tools and it lead to policy change, email etiquette has improved.

Where do people find Loyola Academy online to learn more?

• Loyola is located right in Midtown, so we’re actually right behind Cardinal Ritter.
• Loyola Academy Schools on google and social
• Website: https://loyolaacademy.org/
• Instagram: @loyolaacademyofstlouis