St. Mary's-Colgan Junior/Senior High School

The School is great I have two children in the elementary and they love it. And as a parent I like knowing my children are not only receiving a great education, but also a faith based education as well. We are not wealthy at all and all the parents and students treat us as equals. Great atmosphere, great teachers and great kids.
--Submitted by a parent

Im a student at SMC its awsome. Great sports and amazing oppourtunities to grow in faith.
--Submitted by a student

My daughter attended this school and the teachers are wonderful.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a student at SMC. I love it there, it is just the right size too me. Although, St.Marys is centered around sprots, mainly because we excell at them very well. The teachers try their best teaching at academics, and do succeed. Their are a few people who need extra time and help with their studys, our school does more then excellent on helping them. Our teahers and principial take extra time to help these people.
--Submitted by a student

I have students in the elementary, middle school and high school. The Catholic faith education is great and the sole reason my children attend. As far as academics they seem to offer less upper end and lower end particularly in secondary education. It is not an easy school to transfer to for many, if you start in early grades it seems to offer more acceptance. If faith was not a part of the curriculum, this is not the school we would attend.
--Submitted by a parent

I strongly agree with the third post' The school offers the basic extracurricular activities with a strong emphasis on football and cheerleading. If your child does not excel in these areas they will find it a struggle to fit into the social context of the school.' It is true if you do not excel in sports or extracurricular activities you will have very few friends and the principles do nothing to correct any bullying that i saw when i went to St Mary's.
--Submitted by a student

As an alum and parent with students who have attended this school I would have to say it lacks the moral fortitude that you would expect from such a school. I agree with the first rater who has first hand experience with this school. The school offers the basic extracurricular activities with a strong emphasis on football and cheerleading. If your child does not excel in these areas they will find it a struggle to fit into the social context of the school. Academics is not remarkable- it's easy to teach only students who do not struggle. Students who do struggle are isolated and usually leave to neighboring schools. Parent involvement is strong for a select few. If you are not part of the 'clique' being involved can be difficult and painful. I am not sure of the current principal yet, however the pastor leaves much to desire.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a very passionate young woman, very skilled in music and her studies. She just graduated last year, but she was alienated from her classmates! This school is very revolved around sports, but nothing else! There are some parents I've become close with, but even the parents themselves are terribly cliquey! My daughter is now free of this school, but besides having a wonderful religion program, there's not much about this school I would recommend to other parents! The academic program is so-so, but the teachers seem to do their best engaging each and every student that comes across! Not sure about the principle, because there is a new one, but he seems fine!
--Submitted by a parent

While I am not a parent and attended Pittsburg's public High School, several of my friends have attended St.Mary's Colgan. While I have heard a few complaintd from St.Mary's Colgan students and alums, the majority of Colgan students and alums have been totally satisfied with St. Mary's Colgan is a perfect 10 in my view and while I lobe Pittsburg High School too,PHS is only a 9.5! While I am not a former SMC student, I need to list a category to get this to accept this and have attended Mass with a lot of Colgan students and alums as well as other activities so I hope God can forgive me for listing myself as a former student.I have been a fan since my childhood in the 1970's though!
--Submitted by David Clay, a former student