THE HILLTOPPER MAGAZINE

Explore. Learn. Lead. Transform.
SPRING/SUMMER 2026

 

In a student’s life, there are three places where education takes place. The first is home, where so many lessons are taught. The second is the classroom. The third is the topic of this Hilltopper.

Whether it’s on the field, court, track, ice, or diamond; the stage, pit, or playing field—the locations where our student athletes compete, and our academic co-curriculars take place, are some of the most important in our students’ lives. It is there that students learn lessons about teamwork, communication, the limits of preparation, and winning and losing. Their abilities are tested and their mental-focus honed.

A great body of research connects the benefits of co-curricular activities to student success. Students who are involved in athletics have higher academic achievement, on average, their standardized test scores are higher as are their homework completion rates. High school athletes have higher educational aspirations than those who do not participate in sports. The results are similar for other co-curricular activities: theater, robotics, speech, etc. All told, students across all co-curriculars have higher academic achievement and earn more later in life than their peers (Broh, 2002; Guest & Schneider, 2003; Lipscomb, 2006; Marsh, 1992; McNeal, 1995).

Marshall and Cathedral have enjoyed a strong legacy in academics, and co-curriculars, and that continues today. Our 2026 graduating class has earned over $15,000,000 in academic scholarships and merit-based-aid toward college. They have also earned numerous opportunities to continue their co-curriculars in college.

We have also enjoyed tremendous success in co-curriculars. Over their time in high school, our current graduating class competed in 24 co-curricular and athletic state, national, and worlds competitions (Girls Basketball, Boys Soccer, Baseball, Boys Golf, CyberPatriots, Knowledge Bowl, Math League, Nordic Skiing, One Act Play, Poetry Out Loud, FIRST Robotics, and Speech).

Over the years, our co-curricular offerings have grown, evolved, and changed, but their presence and their importance have remained. Academics and co-curriculars work in tandem to draw out the best in students and set them up for success later in their lives.

In this Hilltopper, you will read more about our students and their accomplishments. In their stories, it is my hope that you will see the fullness and breadth of a Marshall education reflected.

Sincerely,

Anthony Pisapia, M.S. Ed.

Head of School

Marshall Parent ’25, ’27, ’31

 

Download the Spring/Summer 2026 Issue of The Hilltopper