St. Mary started the first Catholic High School in Summit County. Students benefited from the continuum of religious education in their teenage years; however, times and demographics changed. In 1973, the high school merged with St. Vincent High School, and a new challenge began for the St. Mary Grade School. The impact of "urban renewal" radically destroyed whole neighborhoods. The Catholic population plummeted.

St. Mary Grade School faced two choices: either close the doors of the grade school or, in the spirit of Christ Who reached out to all, open the doors to include children who were not Catholic, especially those who were poor, and who would greatly benefit from the faith-based education and formation St. Mary could provide. St. Mary made the decision to open its doors to a broad spectrum of students that represented a diverse group of racial, ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds throughout Summit County.