Full STEAM Ahead: New Era of Learning at Marian

Marian High School stands at the threshold of an exciting new chapter—one fueled by innovation, creativity, and dedication to students’ learning outcomes.

Under the leadership of President Heather Greig Sofran ’96 and Principal Cushman, faculty and staff have been working behind the scenes to prepare for this transformational moment. Now, thanks to their leadership, Marian has broken ground on a bold renovation of its science and visual arts wings—spaces designed to meet the needs of today’s students and ignite inspiration for decades to come.

“Our science labs date back to 1959. We’ve made them work, but they weren’t built with the Class of 2025 in mind,” Sofran shared. “It’s time for a change.”

The fully reimagined STEM wing will feature five state-of-the-art science labs equipped with modern gas, air, and electrical systems for increased instructional flexibility. Students will conduct hands-on experiments using real-time data tools that support advanced study in biology, chemistry, and physics. Labs will include the equipment, space, and resources to conduct experiments previously more difficult to accomplish in current spaces.

Just as exciting is the transformation of the visual arts wing. A long-anticipated expansion of the popular pottery program will double student capacity, adding five new pottery wheels and a significantly larger studio. Fine Arts Teacher Abbie Bailey, with experience at Wayne State and Detroit’s Pewabic Pottery, is helping design the new space to mirror professional art environments.

This project is about more than new facilities—it’s about creating STEAM-powered spaces where science, technology, engineering, art, and math come together to inspire the next generation of innovators.” - President Heather Greig Sofran '96

A new digital arts lab will house 24 high-performance computers with industry-level graphics capabilities—perfect for graphic design, digital media, and film classes. A dedicated yearbook room and flexible collaboration zones will round out the creative hub.

One of the most anticipated additions is Marian’s first-ever makerspace: a cross-disciplinary lab with potential for 3D printers, Cricut® machines, and science kits for independent exploration. Designed to bring science and art together, it will support student projects and spark innovation.

Other improvements include new windows and a building-wide HVAC system with individual climate controls—creating a more comfortable environment for learning year-round.
But for Cushman, this project is about more than upgraded classrooms—it’s about raising the bar for what’s possible in a high school education.

“The world of STEAM is moving fast, and students today need access to the kind of tools and experiences that, until recently, were only found in college or industry settings,” she said. “We don’t want to simply keep up—we want to set the pace. As technology becomes more accessible, opportunities are opening for high school students to explore things like drone applications, digital microscopy, Esports, and even basic flight or surgical simulations. While we’re not promising specifics yet, these are the kinds of ideas that excite us—and this renovation lays the groundwork for that future.”

Marian isn’t just renovating—it’s reimagining the future of education.

The community will have the opportunity to celebrate this transformational milestone at a special ribbon cutting ceremony this fall, marking the official opening of the renovated spaces. At that time, Marian will also unveil the newly named STEM and visual arts wings in honor of the generous lead benefactors whose transformational support helped make this project possible. It will be a moment not just to open doors, but to recognize the individuals helping to shape the future of Marian education—one student, one space, and one breakthrough at a time.

Help bring this vision to life by making your gift to Marian for the Generations today!