When most people hear “Shattuck-St. Mary’s,” they immediately think of ice. It’s a fair association—the Faribault, Minnesota, boarding school has become a global synonymous for elite hockey. However, after diving deeper into the school’s structure, it’s clear that the “hockey school” label only scratches the surface of what this institution actually is.
The Gold Standard: A Hall of Fame Alumni List
To understand the gravity of their hockey program, you only need to look at the names that have walked their halls. The school has secured a staggering 36 National Championships, acting as a primary pipeline for the NHL and PWHL.
| Alumni | Notable Achievement |
| Sidney Crosby | 3x Stanley Cup Champion, 2x Olympic Gold |
| Nathan MacKinnon | Stanley Cup Champion, Hart Trophy Winner |
| Jonathan Toews | 3x Stanley Cup Champion, Conn Smythe Winner |
| Jocelyne Lamoureux | 3x Olympic Medalist (Gold in 2018) |
| Amanda Kessel | 3x Olympic Medalist, NCAA Champion |
| Macklin Celebrini | 2024 Hobey Baker Winner & #1 Overall Pick |
Beyond the Puck: Elite Soccer and Academics
While hockey is the headliner, SSM applies that same “Center of Excellence” model to other arenas. They are a major player in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, offering a level of play that attracts elite athletes from around the world, far beyond the scope of typical regional high school sports.
The MSHSL Paradox
One of the most confusing aspects for locals is how SSM fits into the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). Here is the breakdown:
- Hockey & Soccer: They operate independently of the MSHSL in these sports to compete on a national and international stage.
- The Membership: SSM is a member of the MSHSL, but they don’t field independent teams in every category.
- The Faribault Connection: For several sports, SSM students actually “co-op” with Faribault High School. This unique partnership allows boarding students to experience traditional Minnesota high school sports while providing Faribault teams with additional talent.
The “Falcon-Sabre” Alliance: The Faribault Co-op
While Shattuck’s hockey and soccer players are often traveling across the country, many other student-athletes stay right in town to compete. Through their membership in the MSHSL, Shattuck-St. Mary’s students often wear the Faribault “Falcons” jersey.
This partnership is a win-win: Shattuck students get to experience the atmosphere of Minnesota high school sports, and Faribault High School benefits from a deeper roster of dedicated athletes.
Common Co-op Sports include:
- Golf: A natural fit, as both schools have a history of producing high-level players.
- Tennis: Often a powerhouse program due to the combined talent pool.
- Swimming: Utilizing local facilities to field competitive teams.
- Track & Field: Allowing Shattuck students to compete in a wide variety of individual events.
Why don’t they co-op for Hockey?
It’s the most common question asked. Because SSM’s hockey program is a “Center of Excellence” that recruits internationally and plays a grueling AAA independent schedule, they operate outside the traditional MSHSL playoff brackets. This allows them to play 50+ games a year against the best competition in North America—a schedule that wouldn’t be possible under standard high school league rules.
The “Center of Excellence” and the 24-Hour Athlete
Previously, we talked about the NHL legends and the unique “Falcon-Sabre” co-op with Faribault High School. But what does life actually look like for a student who is in one of Shattuck-St. Mary’s (SSM) premier programs?
The school uses a “Center of Excellence” (COE) model. It’s not just an after-school team; it’s a lifestyle built around a rigorous “Blended Learning” academic schedule.
The Daily Grind: A Sample Schedule
For a hockey or soccer athlete at SSM, the day is a precision-timed machine. They aren’t just “playing sports”—they are essentially in a professional developmental academy.
| Time | Activity |
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast & Morning Prep |
| 8:00 AM | On-Ice Practice / Soccer Training (Skills Session) |
| 10:15 AM | Strength & Conditioning (Weight Room) |
| 11:00 AM | Lunch & Recovery |
| 12:30 PM | Academic Classes (Blended Learning Model) |
| 3:45 PM | Team Practice / Tactical Video Sessions |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner & Study Hall |
| 10:00 PM | Lights Out |
How do they fit school in?
You might look at that schedule and wonder when they actually study. For juniors and seniors, classes are “blended”—meaning they attend physical classes some days and complete work online or in labs on others. This flexibility allows them to travel for a 50-game season across North America without falling behind.
It’s Not Just Hockey and Soccer
While those are the “big two,” the COE model extends into unexpected areas. If a student isn’t a “Falcon” via the Faribault co-op, they might be enrolled in:
- The BioScience Program: Think of it as a “pre-med” track where students do actual lab research.
- Engineering: A hands-on program where kids are building and prototyping in a state-of-the-art STEM center.
- The Major: A self-designed path for students with a “healthy obsession” with a specific topic, from film study to robotics.
The Verdict: A “Grind” That Pays Off
The school is often described as “the love for the grind.” Whether it’s a future NHL star on the ice at 8:00 AM or a BioScience student in the lab at 8:00 PM, the environment is designed for kids who want to be the absolute best at one specific thing.
Living the Legacy – The Boarding Experience
We looked at the NHL-caliber alumni and the intense daily “grind” of a Shattuck-St. Mary’s student. But when the skates come off and the textbooks are closed, what is it actually like to live on the Faribault campus?
For many students, SSM isn’t just a school—it’s their first home away from home, and it’s surprisingly global.
A Global Village in Rural Minnesota
One of the most striking things about the SSM dorms is the diversity. On any given floor, you might have a hockey player from Saskatchewan, a soccer player from Mexico, and a BioScience student from South Korea.
- The “Brothers and Sisters” Bond: Living in a boarding environment creates a unique “24/7” support system. Teammates aren’t just people you practice with; they are the people you eat breakfast with, study for history tests with, and lean on when you’re homesick.
- Pro-Style Prep: Part of the boarding experience is learning “soft skills” that most teens don’t master until college—managing your own laundry, balancing a budget for weekend trips into Faribault, and navigating life with a roommate.
Traditions That Bind: The Arch and Beyond
SSM is steeped in history (founded in 1858!), and those traditions are the “glue” of the community.
- The Arch: Perhaps the most famous tradition. Students only walk through the Memorial Arch twice: once when they arrive as new students, and once during Commencement.
- The “Two-Touch” Culture: In the soccer program, “Two-Touch” games after hours in the dome or on the fields are legendary for building chemistry outside of formal coaching sessions.
- Dorm Life & “Eats”: The dining hall (often just called “the mess”) is the social hub. Whether the food is “too good to eat” or a bit “diabolical,” it’s the place where the day’s wins and losses are dissected.
The “Spring Season” Push
Even in the “off-season,” the campus is buzzing. As students prepare for the spring seasons whether it’s an MLS Next soccer player gearing up for a playoff-deciding game or a golfer heading to the range the culture of excellence never really sleeps.
Final Thoughts on Part 1: More Than the Sum of Its Parts
Shattuck-St. Mary’s is a complex place. It’s a world-class athletic academy, a rigorous college-prep school, and a local partner to Faribault High School. But at its core, it’s a community of young people with a “healthy obsession” for their craft.
Whether they become the next Sidney Crosby or a world-class surgeon, the lessons learned in those dorms and on those fields stay with them long after they walk through the Arch for the final time.
Leave a Reply