The Saint Michael House system was established to further the mission of the school through the formation of small communities within the student body and attending families. Within these houses, students have opportunity for fellowship, leadership, service, healthy competition, and mentoring by faculty members and older students, ensuring that students know each other and build relationships across grade levels in the regular life of the school community. Each year, new Saint Michael students are inducted into Houses, where they will remain members throughout their Saint Michael experience.

The House System also provides the basic structure for the formal student leadership of the school. Each House has a House Head who both leads the House and works together with leaders from other houses, faculty, and administrators to oversee many school activities. Teams of additional student leaders from the Houses collaborate to organize and execute inter-House activities—things like socials, service projects, and competitions—as well as to lead intra-House mentorship and fellowship.

By providing this structure, House System encourages students to bring their desires, ideas, and talents into the life of the school - we want them to shape the identity of the school and leave their mark on it. The Houses allow for real responsibilities and real participation. Through healthy competition and shared goals, students learn to work together, solve problems, initiate new ideas, and participate in meaningful traditions.