St. Mary's Academy

Our two boys, ages 6 and 9, have gained a lot this year attending the lower school. Great friendships have been formed in a school that has become an extended family quickly. The academics are advanced, with tons of hands-on learning and creativity at every turn. We are so glad we switched to this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Some 6th and 7th grade teachers are impressive. Academics are strong but the middle school teachers overall were unwilling or unable to motivate my kid. Look elsewhere for middle school boys. Practically no assistance for high school placement. Leadership inconsistent. Lower school is, however, fantastic! The leadership in lower school and teacher's were willing and able to motivate boys and girls.
--Submitted by a parent

I am amazed that there are any negative reviews. I wonder if their was maybe a bad teacher or family's that weren't involved in their child's education to warrant bad reviews? We are in the lower school I love this school and my daughter has flourished and felt safe and supported. Any small concerns I have had were listened too and taken care of. My daughter was in 2 schools prior (due to moving) and this is the only school where there hasn't been any peer problems and she is further along acedemically from her friends at other schools. And last but not least I am on a partial scholorship and am not wealthy and I have been recieved with open arms and there has thus far been an amazing collection of like minded parents that care about their children's education and upbringing with a positive moral thread woven throughout. At my daughter's previous school she would come home weekly crying about someone bullying her or fighting with someone in her class. I can say there has not been one report of anyone even being mean to anyone in her class. The teachers know if your child is having a bad day or if they lost their sweater etc. It's wonderful!
--Submitted by a parent

Bullying has been a problem that this school has not addressed. Adequate actions are not taken to change a (bullying) child's behavior and successfully change bullying patterns. Promises are made to parents across the board, with little to no permanent action being taken. There is a lack of adequate structure, discipline, and positive goal setting for the children to feel successful and motivated to improve. Social pressures dominate the campus and classroom. Space is provided by the school for tutors who work through the school day, paid for by the parents, to catch up their kids to grade level. Reading and writing skills are not successfully taught, with problems first appearing in 2nd and 3rd grades.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended the lower school for many years. The school's small class sizes are an illusion. There is no one teacher responsible for each child. The kids are shuffled from teacher to teacher all day, consequently they know the students. Few of the teachers are well enough educated, to educate any but the most typical of children. Many children are being tutored because they are behind. The lack of cohesive programs and curriculums are examples of the unprofessional nature of this school. They adopt programs and curriculums, that are age inappropriate and implement them hurriedly and poorly. The "counselor" is not an education or counseling professional, but a nurse. The Loretto values are held up as a goal by this school, It fails however to provide the leadership and modeling necessary for children to learn and utilize these values. The leadership doesn't allow certain children to be disciplined, binding the hands of teachers, and forcing them to look the other way. I and many other parents have found the St. Mary's lower school to provide nothing but empty promises, accompanied by vapid smiles.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter currently attends SMA's Middle School. She loves this school and has received an outstanding education. Our 6th grade experience included a rigorous academic program mixed with a positive and nurturing environment. The staff and administration is very supportive, and are truly invested in the students. I would strongly recommend this school, as it has exceeded all of our expectations.
--Submitted by a parent

Our daughter will be a sophmore in High School at SMA next year. She has been at St. Mary's since she was in Kindergarten. She has recieved an excellent education. Her PSACT (given to Freshman with the Sophmores to see where they stand) was a 30 (wow). In addtion to an excellent Lower, Middle and High School it has been a safe, nurturing enviroment that has mirrored our values. That being siad, it is NOT a school for children with learning disabilities such as dyxlexia. They are not and should not be expected to deal with these special issues. These children belong at schools like Denver Academy etc. Over the years I have met many parents who do not understand this and become very angry. Also the school is smack dab in the middle of Cherry Hills where many parents send thier children to school. SMA does it s best to be as diverse as possilbe giving aid to students who cannot afford the the tuition. i HIGHLY RECOMMEND
--Submitted by a parent

Our daughters attended the high school only. We absolutely loved it and believe our daughters received a very high quality high school education. Best way to describe our experience is this: when we toured the school we had no intention of sending our daughters there. After the tour we had decided that our daughters would attend because in four years we wanted our daughters to be like the senior who lead the tour. I.E. Poised, articulate, mannered and obviously smart. By senior year both daughters were like that. Maybe our daughters would have turned out like that somewhere else, but we believe SMA made a significant contribution. We attribute this outcome not just to the academics, or the opportunities or the quality of the staff, but also to the school' striving to achieve its core values of faith, community, justice and respect. Finally, we will add that at times we were simply astounded by the quality of the students. Not all students are "really smart" though some are so smart it is stunning, but all or nearly all learn how to "work" while at the school.
--Submitted by a parent

St. Mary's Academy is an excellent place to be. We have music and theatre arts offered on a regular basis, as well as orchestra, guitar classes, hand bells, band, private lessons, excellent tutoring available in all subjects and an after school program. We have classes in French, Spanish and Chinese (in the high school) by mainly native speakers. The statistics don't show that we have a VERY diverse student population. Also, we are co-ed K-8 and all girls (a real blessing for them) in the high school. If you are interested, call and set up a time to visit or a whole day to shadow! It's a great place to be! Faith-Community-Justice-Respect
--Submitted by a teacher

Our child attended St Mary's Lower School. There seem to be substantial issues with the reading outcomes for children in the Lower School. Significant numbers of the children receive tutoring on campus (LS). Our child was two years behind in reading, and the school did not acknowledge anything. The principal and teachers did not follow through on agreed upon strategies to support the child in areas that were identified through private testing. St Mary's has no annual testing process to identify and track student progress, and it is very difficult to maintain accountability within the Lower School.
--Submitted by a parent