St. Mary's School

This is our second year at St. Mary's and we continue to be impressed with the level of education our children are getting. With two children in Kindergarten and one in preschool we have the benefit of seeing the IB program and how it works in both the Lower School and Preschool. In both areas we are blown away. Our children come home from school excited and enthusiastic about what they are learning and my husband and I often find ourselves wishing we could be attending school alongside them just so that we could participate in the wonderfully creative and hands on learning experiences they have the opportunity to experience. The Headmaster has set the tone at St. Mary's and is doing a fabulous job in leadership. The teachers are warm and communicative. The science lab, language offerings, art program and chapel experience round St. Mary's out to be an overall fantastic place. We love that families are not only encouraged to spend time volunteering on campus but that they are welcomed with open arms. We couldn't be more pleased and can say this after having been at a more well established and more expensive private school not far from St. Mary's.
--Submitted by a parent

We recently moved to California from out of state and chose St. Mary's based on their unique combination of an IB curriculum offered within a christian focused community. We have three boys in 1st, 3rd and 5th grade. We were confident an IB academic focus at a christian based school would be an ideal learning environment. However, within in relatively short period, St. Mary's has exceeded our expectations. We are already witnessing the positive impact this school is having on all three of our boys. It is evident at numerous levels that the administration, staff and teachers are not only passionate about education but they truly enjoy and love children. All of their teachers are teaching their subjects in creative and interesting ways that foster a love of learning. Equally important, they are teaching critical skills to help their students conquer their subjects. As a result, our boys are thriving academically and becoming more confident as students. As for adjusting to a new school, are boys are thrilled to be at St. Mary's. Their teachers are loving and the students and their parents have been equally loving. We feel most fortunate to have our boys at St. Mary's!
--Submitted by a parent

This is our 4th year at St. Mary's and each year we are amazed with the addition of new programs and enhancements. Most other schools remain stagnant or suffer program cuts and each year St. Mary's grows in excellence. The IB program is so valuable and I am confident it is preparing my children for this constantly changing world. St. Mary's fosters creativity and independent thinking. My children are so grateful to attend St. Mary's.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children at this school and I couldn't be happier with the level of education! The teachers continue to educate themselves and work with their staff to be the best they can be. We are an IB World school with the best principals and headmaster in the area. It is a wonderful, nurturing and challenging environment for my kids to grow and become leaders of the future. I highly recommend touring and speaking with members of our community. I'm so thankful we have found this school!
--Submitted by a parent

Our family has been at St. Mary's for 8 years, and witnessed a lot of changes! I have to say the school has come a long way! While the IB influence is definitely not up to European standards (hard to find IB trained teachers) the IB curriculum does make a difference; the biggest being teaching critical thinking skills vs rote memorization of facts, and global awareness. This to me is a more "real world" application of education. St. Mary's is truly a community of involved families and make the school a special & fun place to be. The kids are taught skills way beyond textbooks, like leadership, risk taking, & community service...
--Submitted by a parent

I am thrilled to share that St. Mary's more than my my expectations as a parent with its promsie to thoroughly prepare my children for high school and instill a lifelong love of learning in a warm, caring environment with dedicated and passionate teachers and staff. I have had three children graduate from St. Mary's (one is in college and two are in high school) and all three are thriving in their respective academic environments. In fact, they still comment about how well prepared they felt entering high school, paving the way for success in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs. I give St. mary's my highest endorsement, and from what my friends tell me, enrollment at St. Mary's is so strong they have wait lists all over the place. I am not surprised.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been a student at St. Mary's for four years. I in the 8th Grade now and will graduate in June. The past four years at St. Mary's have been incredible for me. I have had the best teachers I could ever hoped to have had. They are passionate about their subjects and while they challenge us to push ourselves, they also care about us people and really get to know us. In addition to our core courses we also have Chapel, PE, art, music , performing arts, competitive athletics, and other electives like Model UN, Yearbook, digital filmmaking, and more. I will be very sad when I graduate but I know that I will be well prepared in whatever high school I attend. I also love to learn and I have to thanks St. mary's for all of this.

The school has high standards but their teachers do not make up for their standards. As a parent, I had to spend more time with my daughter so she can achieve their goals. What is the point of paying for a private school if I have end up being my daughter's teacher? We moved her to public school and we are extremely happy. Save your money and put your child in public school.
--Submitted by a parent

St. Mary's is quite simply a gem of a school; very happy, engaged children, passionate and dedicated teachers, an appropriately challenging academic program with plenty of differentiated instruction and lots of balance (athletics, arts, music, field trips), small class sizes, involved parents, and beautiful, spacious facilities. The school was also founded by an Episcopal priest and it reflects his Christian values throughout the school. As a parent, I could not be happier with my child's experience. My only wish is that they extend the school all the way through the 12th grade!
--Submitted by a parent

This school has a beautiful campus and offers many arts options, such as choir, drama , cheer and three languages. On the the downside the school year is only 162 days and this does not take in to account school trips and other activities. Most schools attend 180 days with at least a seven hour day. Also when schools are hesitant to tout their scores beware. If they are outperforming or at least matching the best schools in the area they are going to advertise, such is no the case with this school