Mary Star of the Sea High School

I would NEVER recommend this school to anyone. The teacher are not qualified and one math teacher needs tutoring from another math teacher in order to teach her lessons. The school has a major problem with bulling that is increasing and the school seems to look the other way. several students have left Mary Star this year because of being bullied. The school's graduates rarely make it to major universities and most attend community colleges. The school is NOT worth the $900 dollars a month tuition. My family has seen the administration out eating lunch at fancy restaurants during school hours. Overall, this school has poor structure and I would never recommend Mary Star of the Sea High School to anyone
—Submitted by a parent

It's probably a fine school if your kid is an excellent student, mine struggles academically at times and found no success there. Some teachers were at times very hard to correspond with. Mostly caring staff with a focus on excellence, maybe some to a fault? Sadly, no value for our family, disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. I have 5 children and so far 3 have attended school here. The teachers are wonderful and maintain excellent control of the classrooms with the support of the administration staff and the principal. The students are taught so much more than academics at this high school where they are allowed to explore their faith and worship together. Students are held accountable for their actions, an invaluable lesson many public schools are simply too overwhelmed to teach. There is a wide range of AP courses, sports, and clubs offered. The sports program includes soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, swim team, golf, bowling, cross county, track, baseball and softball. The two high ranking public schools in the area do not offer many sports opportunities. I absolutely recommend this school. I plan on sending all five of my children there. I can t say enough about the principal who knows every student by name and has high expectations for all of them.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son is half way through his Freshman year and the entire family is more than satisifed with this school. To say it, we are just thrilled. It is definitely worth the financial sacrifice. We find that, even in high school, families join together as we did in elementary. Long-term friendships will forever be formed. The administration and teachers have shown of and beyond what they can do for our children and continue to make that commitment. It is a wonderful gift to give to your children to give them the opportunity for a catholic education and to be able to attend MSHS! Go Stars!
—Submitted by a parent

I, as a freshman, am extremely sorry to say how disappointing mary star is. The campus is beautiful but deceiving onve you realize that the campus is the only beautiful thing about the school. Majority of the teachers (most but not all) are actually exceptionally talented educators but the vast majority of the students lack the maturity of average high school students. THe students are more uninterested in school, immature, and lazy than the average high school student which make it hard for the students who actually care about their studies to get the most out of their education. All in all, mary star is a disappointment by all means.
—Submitted by a student

The principal is the greatest educator I've encountered. Great staff, great students.
—Submitted by a parent

One of Mary Star's slogans is small size, large opportunities and certainly lives up to it. A full range of AP courses, guaranteed starts on sports teams and 6 full-time priests on the faculty are just some of the features that make Mary Star a great school. The school was selected as one of only 50 schools on the Catholic School Honor Roll for the entire US. Add to these offerings a dedicated faculty, a 27-acre, new campus, an on-campus rocket club, a functioning Roman catapult, and daily 7:10 am mass and you have got Mary Star--a 500 student campus where teachers know you by name. No wonder my child would not consider going anywhere else for high school!
—Submitted by a teacher

The teachers really care about me. The principal knows us all by name. The kids treat each other well. Classes are hard but good.
—Submitted by a student

As a former teacher at the school, it is run strictly as a business with no regard for providing a top notch education or athletic program. Students are not prepared for University level work as many go on to JC's or work in the shipping industry. Very close knit community that does not embrace outsiders. Administration is full of hypocrisy. The school itself is a safe environment.
—Submitted by a teacher

As a former student who graduated in '07 I can inform that though the school brags of having a wait list this is because of poor quality public high schools in the area, and MSHS is the only private catholic school within miles. More importantly, about half of the teachers are not qualified to teach their assigned class. Although, you will see the teachers who have been with the school for about over 5 years do teach well. Another misleading fact to add is, though they brag of over 97% college attendance, the majority of grads attend Junior Colleges instead of 4-year schools. Personally, I feel unprepared for University level work as a UC freshman, and struggle -though I earned a 3.8 GPA at MSHS. I hope this review is helpful.
—Submitted by a student

It is an excellent school for any student that wants to have a good education. All its staff members have been voted the best by the archdioses people. If you are looking for a great high school for your son or daughter i say it will be this one because it is a small safe enviorment.
—Submitted by a parent

The administration and staff are very caring! Very good school! Looking forward to the new high school. Let's get it built for the students!
—Submitted by a parent