St. Margaret Mary Catholic School

This school is excellent. We are not Catholic but we would not send our kids anywhere else. We have friends at Park Maitland, Parke House Academy, and Lake Highland Prep. They complain that the first two have too much politics with parents trying to influence administration so their kids get into the classes that have limited class size. As working parents we don't have time to spend trying to go to school meetings, hob nobbing with the principal. Lake Highland expects parents to donate heavily from what we've heard. At SMM, we don't deal with any politics, the teachers really care, and I don't worry that other kids get a leg up because they donate or sit in on school commit ties.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a content parent of children at St. Margaret Mary. My comments here are regarding the previous review written March 2010. This confused parent must be discussing a different Catholic school. SMM did not lose many students last year; in fact this present 2010-2011 school year has 100% capacity with a waiting list. The tuition did not increase. Our amazing principal is extremely dedicated to our school and she is NOT a man.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very proud to be an alumni from St. Margaret Mary. The teachers have not only challenged and encouraged me in academics, but aslo prepared me as a leader for the real world. I went into high school feeling strong because of the quality education the faculty and staff provided.
--Submitted by a student

Great teachers and curriculum
--Submitted by a parent

SMM is a terrific school. There's no other way to say it. I grew up and attended public school many years ago in another state, in a time and place many today yearn for as a Paradise Lost. Well, I can tell you, as do the parents who have written here in late October, 2008, that SMM excels in every category. My two sons are challenged daily, just as they challenge us daily. The academics are rigorous, the teachers demanding. They are setting expectations for the future and expecting the students to meet them. The administration is very strong and the parental involvement pervasive. The students are happy and genuinely like being there. The school really can't be beat and I couldn't want more from it. My kids are getting at least as good an education as I did; that's rare today.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a new parent and an old student of SMM. I graduated from SMM a long long time ago and now my daughter is a Kindergarten student. What I love about the school is while the building has changed, for the better, they now have air conditioning, computer labs and an athletic field some things have not changed. SMM still has high academic standards, a strong sense of community and a commitment to social justice. I am so proud of this school with its rich history and I am really looking forward to seeing how my daughter will be formed by this experience.
--Submitted by a parent

Not happy at all. Some teachers are great; others lack in many areas. The administration refuses to listen to parents or address teacher issues. We are looking for another school for our straight A student, where we can have more consistent teaching and a more cooperative staff.
--Submitted by a parent

The sports program is amazing at St. Margaret Mary. The girls track and soccer teams are some of the best. And the boys basketball team is pretty good as well. The dedication and good sportsmanship they teach us will be with me though my whole life.
--Submitted by a student

The environment at S.M.M. is safe and nourturing. However, there are several teachers who are disorganized and lack control of their class rooms. Rather than address these problems, the administration ignores and covers up the problems.
--Submitted by a parent

St. Margaret Mary Catholic School gives of a wonderful welcoming feel to new students. The children learn in a strictly fun environment. The physical education class is well rounded. Kids play a number of sports such as badminton, football, basketball, etc. In the art class, the kids get to make christmas ornaments and puppets. In the music, you learn all the keys and the students even get to perform in an advent concert. Overall this is the most well-rounded school I have ever attended. It's a shame we had to move to another state.
--Submitted by Rose, a former student