St. Pius X High School (Festus, Missouri)

St. Pius X Catholic High School, founded in 1959, proudly serves as the only Catholic high school in Jefferson County, Missouri. Dedicated to providing a faith-filled and academically excellent education, the school is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis. Recognized as a School of Distinction, St. Pius X continues to uphold the highest standards in Catholic education by retaining Cognia Accreditation, demonstrating its commitment to continuous improvement, student success, and institutional excellence.

The course catalog includes classes in digital citizenship, forensic science, and a comprehensive wellness program. Students also have the opportunity to earn 35 hours of dual-enrollment college credit through Saint Louis University and the University of Missouri–St. Louis. In addition, 102 hours of community service are required for graduation, along with a capstone project implemented for the Class of 2021 and beyond.

St. Pius X also offers The Lancer Academy, a unique two-week term providing students with real-world learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom. Through hands-on elective courses such as Basic Home Repair, Basic Car Maintenance, EMS, Introduction to Real Estate, Photography, and many more, students are able to explore practical skills, career interests, and innovative learning opportunities.

St. Pius X principal Karen DeCosty, an alumni of the school, graduated in 1993.

St. Pius X offers the following MSHSAA sports and activities:

• Baseball
• Men's and Women's Basketball
• Cheerleading
• Men's and Women's Cross Country (girls took 3rd in the state championship as a team and one girl was state champion in 2020)
• Football
• Men's and Women's Golf
• Men's and Women's Soccer (girls have won 1 state championship)
• Softball
• Men's and Women's Tennis
• Men's and Women's Track & Field
• Women's Volleyball (team has won three state championships, most recently 2024)
• Weightlifting
• Men's and Women's Wrestling
• Theatre, Speech and Debate, Scholar Bowl

• Mike Henneman, Class of 1980 - former MLB player
• Steve Stoll, Class of 1965 - former Democratic Missouri State Senator and Congressional candidate
• Paul Wieland, Class of 1981 - Missouri state senator representing the 22nd District
• Jennifer Johnson Cano, Class of 2002 - American operatic mezzo-soprano