The creation of a new school was needed in the late 1950s to cater for the increasing population of Baby Boomers. It was founded by Archbishop Joseph Ritter as a private, Marianist, Catholichigh school for boys. The school has grown over time, changed its curriculum and adapted to educational trends.
Some of the notable events include the introduction of female teachers in 1973, lighting of the football field in 1977 and sale of part of the campus to Lutheran Church in 1980. The school has undergone several expansions and renovations including a new entrance, commons area, media center and state-of-the-art classrooms added in 2007. Subsequent updates included improvements to sports facilities, STEM labs, baseball fields and creation of an Esports Center in 2021.
Over the years, this school’s ability to adapt and grow with financial support has made it thrive. Major renovations and upgrades have been done such as HVAC system updates, window installations and a $1 million STEM labs upgrade. The most recent renovation in 2021 involved converting original locker rooms and weight rooms into a modern facility for student training that includes unique locker rooms, fitness equipment and dressing rooms for Griffin Theatre.[2]
The school mascot is the Golden Griffin: half lion and half eagle. The school colors, black and gold, reflect the colors of the Griffin. The school states that the Griffin represents certain virtues in all of its students.
The St. John Vianney High School fight song, written by former guidance counselor Brother Harold Lootens is often sung at football and basketball games and at pep rallies: "We are the black and gold of Vianney. We are the Golden Griffins of Vianney High. Half Lion, half Eagle, so the Griffin can roar, so the Griffin can soar above the lightning and the thunder. We will win, win, win, yeah Vianney. Oh hear the din, din, din, of our clamor and cheers. We want the world to be told about the black and the gold of old Vianney, Vianney, Vianney, Hey!"
Controversy
In 2006, Vianney President Fr. Robert Osborne (1933–2014) was accused in a civil lawsuit of sexual misconduct with a student.[3] Osborne stepped down temporarily, then the school fired him after another accuser stepped forward.[4] The school later settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount.[5][6] Osborne was investigated by the Kirkwood Police but not charged with a crime.[7] A subsequent Marianist investigation found "no credible or substantiated allegation of abuse", but the following year, the order stripped him of his priestly faculties.[4]
In 2023, a nurse at the school was terminated from her position for inappropriate contact with a student.[8] St. Louis County later charged her with two felony sex crimes,[9] pleaded guilty, and was given a suspended five-year sentence and registered as a sex offender.[10]
This includes institutions outside of the city limits of St. Louis which have "St. Louis, MO" postal addresses. Note multiple places with "St. Louis, MO" postal addresses are not in the St. Louis city limits.
