St. Mary’s was founded in 1953 as a church-affiliated school with a strong academic environment. Emphasis was placed on attracting top-level faculty members who combined their teaching skills with a desire to offer individualized attention to each student. Today the school is designed for 440 children, with a Middle Division (grades 6-8), Intermediate Division (grades 3-5), and a Primary Division (PK-2). The PK-8 program provides continuity throughout the important primary years, yet allows eighth graders to enjoy leadership positions prior to starting high school.

Advanced classes are offered to those students who have strengths in particular subject areas. All students are offered extra attention to master subjects they find difficult. The average class size is 22 students.

St. Mary’s is fully accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools, Florida Kindergarten Council and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Course of Studies

The curriculum is designed to prepare students for eventual college success. The English program starts with phonics in kindergarten and culminates with instruction in advanced composition and a study of novels, plays and poetry in the eighth grade. The math program starts by developing basic arithmetic skills, and continues through first year algebra. The study of history, geography, and social studies begins early and concludes with American History, with special emphasis on our freedom documents. Experimentation in our modern science labs encourages natural enthusiasm for the subject from the earliest grades, preparing students for the study of chemistry, physics, and biology in the eighth grade. All students take Spanish in grades Pre-K through fifth. Latin is offered in grade six, and Spanish, Latin, or Language Development is taken in grades seven and eight.

Academic offerings are enhanced by a full complement of enrichment courses, including art, music, computer, physical education, and religion.

Faculty

The quality of a school depends on its teachers. All St. Mary’s teachers have their B.A. or B.S. degrees, and many hold a Master’s degree. But their concern for children is as important as their academic achievement and previous teaching experience. Teachers willingly provide the extra tutoring and counseling it takes to help students build a solid foundation and the fundamental study skills to prepare them for the challenges of higher education.

Reporting

Report Cards are sent home four times a year in Middle School, alternating with four interim reports. The lower grades are on a trimester reporting schedule. While there are formal parent- teacher conference days, parents are quickly informed at other times if problems arise, and are urged to arrange a meeting if they notice problems with their child.

Class books Online

Parents are able to purchase textbooks for their children on the internet using ClassBook.com. The link for this service is provided here: ClassBook.com