School of St. Mary

I am a current 7th grade student at the School of St. Mary. I love St. Mary's! The school has given me many opportunities to be the best I can be. I love all my classes, but especially my honors reading class. I have a great teacher and am surrounded by good students. I have lots of wonderful friends here. When I came here in second grade, I was welcomed by everyone, and easily fit in with all the different kids. I have been able to be on team sports since fifth grade. Volleyball, basketball, and track are the sports I have participated in, though there are other options. Before fifth grade, I had never played volleyball. After two years of playing it at St. Mary's with great coaching, I have made it to a club level junior olympic team, which really says a lot about the sports program here. Overall, I think St. Mary's is a great school and I really enjoy it here.

We have been at St. Mary for 10 years, with our oldest now a freshman at Loyola Academy. St. Mary does an excellent job in preparing the students academically and emotionally and instills a solid foundation for sound values and morals. The administration has made changes in the last couple of years in the curriculum and faculty in order to meet the Archdiocese of Chicago and State "best practices" standards and to ensure the best preparation for its students. The academic preparation, academic support, differentiation in the classrooms, technology and community building and service all contribute to making this an outstanding school for our children. I would also reinforce that the school has set very clear expectations for its students AND reinforces them!
--Submitted by a parent

We transferred to this school following two years at a top-rated public school in another town. School of St. Mary is an amazing combination of academics, character-building, and Catholic values and education. The teachers and staff are caring and top-notch, offering differentiated learning and technology to support the curriculum. Our children learn how to be good, caring people with character and Catholic values. Leadership cares about the students and families. It's a truly unique, special environment for which I'm grateful.
--Submitted by a parent

A positive is the community is very involved. Unfortunately, the school's leadership is very poor and there is a lack of clear and consistent expectations.
--Submitted by a parent

This is not good. The leadership in this school is awful. My child was hurt so much by this school.
--Submitted by a parent

It is a very good school. Teachers are very good but strict. Religion is taught every morning. Although Lake Forest is an extremely wealthy town so some kids brag. Besides that I really love this school
--Submitted by a student

I am a former student of st mary. I really loved going there. one problem was the uniform they are extremely strict. But most teachers were very nice and wanted you to do well.
--Submitted by a student

I am a former student of this school. I felt that the teachers picked favorites depending on where you lived or how much money you had. Also the majority or my former classmates were rude and hurtful. They made fun of me for not having specific thing or because I was not a size 0. I felt that they placed a lot of value in the assesets you possesed. I also found that the favoritism did not just stop at the teachers but also with some of the coaches. I was in cheerleading for two years. The head coach was a mother of one of the girls on the team. I felt like if she was to get hurt the whole world would end but if someone else got hurt you had to brush it off. I graduated in 2006 and am very happy!!
--Submitted by a former student

I go to St. Mary's and I love it! The school is fairly small, so all the kids get the attention they need. You can also go in for extra help whenever you need to. Also, there are really great sports teams, and everyone gets on the team no matter what; You also get to play in every game you go to. I love it here at St. Mary's and I would never change schools.
--Submitted by Katharine, a student

We do not live in Lake Forest, and my children have had a marvelous experience at St. Mary s. The child-centered environment treats each student as an individual. My two children are very different, and yet I feel that they are both valued and respected for who they are and empowered by their excellent teachers to develop to their fullest potential. Administrators and faculty are both professional and accessible. Catholic values are modeled and practiced, and my children have myriad opportunities to grow in their faith. I could not be happier with my choice of school!
--Submitted by a parent