Visitation School

What if peacocks held the key to unlocking a hidden history? Here at Visitation School, these majestic birds aren’t just a quirky campus feature. They’re a link to the school’s rich past. Visitation School, nestled in Mendota Heights near Saint Paul, Minnesota, has been shaping young minds since 1873. Founded by the Sisters of the Visitation, the school’s roots trace back to a request from prominent St. Paul businessmen who desired a robust Catholic education for their daughters. Imagine those early days, when the Sisters journeyed up the Mississippi River from St. Louis to answer this call. Visitation School wasn’t always here in Mendota Heights. This campus is actually its fourth location. The original school, located in St. Paul, eventually moved to its current, larger site. The peacocks, long-time residents of the Mendota Heights campus, serve as a whimsical reminder of the school’s journey. Visitation School isn’t just steeped in history, it’s also a vibrant hub of activity. The school boasts a robust athletics program with 13 varsity sports, from softball to ice hockey. It also hosts VISTA Productions, a collaborative theater group with Saint Thomas Academy, the brother school located just across the street. VISTA Productions mounts impressive productions, earning accolades like the “Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical” award from the Hennepin Theater Trust’s Spotlight Program. Today, Visitation School remains the only all-girls secondary school in Minnesota, continuing its tradition of empowering young women. From its humble beginnings with a graduating class of just four students to the thriving community it is today, Visitation School carries forward its motto, “Non Scholae Sed Vitae” – Not for school, but for life.