Girls Schools Unite

Girls Schools Unite (GSU) is a 3 day friendly competition between the all-girls high schools in St. Louis. It was designed to increase alumnae giving across all girls school in the St. Louis area and raise awareness about giving back! The schools participating in the 2026 GSU competition are Ursuline Academy, St. Joseph's Academy, Cor Jesu Academy, Incarnate Word Academy, Nerinx Hall, Notre Dame High School, Villa Duchesne, and Visitation Academy.

Together we can make a difference for our current and
future generation of Ursuline students!

Did you know...

• The majority of girls’ school graduates report higher self-confidence than their co-educated peers.
• Students who attended girls’ schools, compared to coeducated peers, are more engaged academically and socially. They frequently seek alternative solutions to a problem and explore topics on their own, even when not required.
• Graduates of a girls' school are more likely to publicly voice their opinion about a cause with more than 2/3 frequently supporting their arguments with logic.
• Girls’ school graduates are six times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, engineering, and technology compared to girls who attended coeducational schools.
• 93% of girls' school graduates say they were offered greater leadership opportunities than their peers at co-educated schools, and 80% have held leadership positions since graduating from high school.

*Information taken from "The Girls' School Advantage by the Numbers" published by the International Coalition of Girl's Schools

Gifts made during the Girls Schools Unite (GSU) challenge support our students through The Ursuline Fund, which helps with Ursuline's greatest, most immediate needs. 

Not only does The Ursuline Fund provide operational, day-to-day support of our students' needs, but it also assists with projects around the school. This year, your generosity will assist with covering the costs of the insurance deductible for hail damage on campus, the Legacy Wall in Merici, conversion of the old dance room (or old gym/auditorium) to the new Bearbotics space, and renovations to some classroom spaces due to our growing community.

The Girls Schools Unite competition will run from Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. until Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m., and only gifts made to The Ursuline Fund during this time period will count towards the total alumnae giving percentage. Gifts made before or after this time period will not count, neither will pledges or previous pledge payments.

All gifts need to be made to The Ursuline Fund. Major gifts, scholarships, endowments, event-funded gifts, or other campaigns are not included in the challenge. 

To support Ursuline Academy during Girl Schools Unite you can participate in the following ways:

• Make a gift to Ursuline on our online giving form before 11:59 p.m. on May 7, 2026. Our online gift page allows gifts to be made via Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, or Venmo through PayPal.
• Give us a call at (314) 984-2811 and make a gift over the phone.
• Mail or drop off a check to Ursuline Academy, Attention: Girls Schools Unite, 341 South Sappington Road, St. Louis, MO 63122 from May 5-7. Checks must be received by 3 p.m. on May 7, 2026 to count toward the challenge.

This is a participation based competition. The more alumnae that give, the better chance Ursuline has to win! Gifts must be $5 or more to count. 

And this is strictly an alumnae competition! Only alumnae who make a gift will be counted towards the participation percentage.