The Marian Commons student courtyard features a terrace with umbrella tables and chairs where students can eat or study, as well as a walkway leading to green space with plantings, a water feature and a sculpture.

Marian Commons Opens!

Marian High School’s long-awaited Marian Commons, 20,000 square feet of student gathering spaces and food services, opened to the public during the school’s Class Reunions Weekend. Alumnae, families, and friends were able to get a “sneak peek” at the renovated facility before the Commons opened its doors to students the following day.

“Thanks to the generosity of our many donors, the Marian Commons is now a reality,” Sr. Lenore M. Pochelski, IHM, Head of School, said.  The $3 million project took “an amazing 20 six-day work weeks” from demolition to completion.

The Marian Commons is a multi-use gathering area for classes, student group work, meetings, parent club events, as well as for daily breakfasts and lunches, athletic banquets, and meals for student organizations.

“Marian’s kitchen and student gathering spaces had not been renovated since the school opened in 1959,” Sr. Lenore said.  “The areas no longer met the needs of today’s students who come to Marian from 55 communities in five counties.” Many students arrive as early as 6:30 AM, just in time to eat a full breakfast in the student dining area.  Others stay at Marian into the evening for athletics or performing arts events, eating dinners prepared by parents who support those activities.

Since students are on campus for long periods of time, Marian has become their “home away from home,” Sr. Lenore explained.  The Commons is a safe gathering place for students and student supervision after hours; it provides socialization areas for students during their free times.

The renovations include a new student dining area with new furniture, improved sound, and a social media board, in addition to a lounge area where students can relax before and after school.  The student courtyard has been renovated to include green space with new plantings, a terrace with umbrella tables and chairs, a water feature, and a statue by renowned Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz.

The new kitchen features new stainless steel ovens, stoves, refrigerators, freezer, and dishwasher, as well as food preparation areas and other equipment.  A food court with serving stations replaces the old cafeteria line.  In addition, Marian faculty have a new workroom, dining space, and kitchenette with refrigerators, dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer.

Part of the new spaces includes food and equipment storage spaces for parent organizations, including the Mothers’ Club, the Dads’ Club, and the Marian Athletic Club.  “This is only fitting since our parent clubs were the project’s first donors,” Sr. Lenore said.  The Mothers’ and the Dads’ Clubs provided seed money for the Marian Commons’ architectural plans.

Located in Bloomfield Hills, Marian High School is a Catholic college preparatory school for young women sponsored by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  The mission of Marian High School is to ensure, within a Christian environment, an excellent education built on a strong academic curriculum, which will enable young women to value human diversity and live responsible lives of leadership and action based on gospel values. For more information please visit our website www.marian-hs.org
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Marian High School

7225 Lahser Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
PHONE: 248-644-1750 - Marian High School
Marian High School, an IHM sponsored school, is fully accredited by NCA CASI, an accrediting division of AdvancED.

Marian is a Catholic college preparatory school for young women, sponsored by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The mission of Marian is to ensure, within a Christian environment, an excellent education built on a strong academic curriculum, which will enable young women to value human diversity and live responsible lives of leadership and action based on gospel values.

An enduring tradition: guiding young women spiritually, challenging them academically, and inspiring them to a life of leadership and service.