St. Marys High School

If you are looking for a cliquey school filled with stuck up snobs. St. Mary's is the school for you. Only good reason to put your child there is for education. Socially you won't get much unless you play lacrosse, and or went to st. marys elementary. Save your money and put your child somewhere else. I'm sure spalding has more to offer than this school.
—Submitted by a student

I am a Junior at SMA and I love it. I play lacrosse and Ive been a three year varsity starter and i do think that there is some favrotism for laxers. I think that I shoul have gotten into trouble for alot of stuff that I think I would have if I went to Annapolis High. I have noticied that when i went to SMA before 7th grade (when they start lacrosse for students) I got in trouble more and hung out with people less. Now that Im on scholarship for lax I go to alot of parties, get in truoble less and girls 'notice' me more.
—Submitted by a student

The School politics and the lack of respect shown equally to all students is a problem that the school needs to resolve
—Submitted by a parent

We have three children going through and love it more each year. In the past two years alone, the improvements (academic, outreach, clubs, lministry, leadership, etc) have been fantastic. PS. None of my children play lax. Try soccer, cross-country, track, rowing and basketball --- get involved, try new things, be open!
—Submitted by a parent

Very nominal Catholic values. I went here for two years, and after my first week of 9th grade I knew I had made a huge mistake. The academics aren't any better than the honors programs at Annapolis or Broadneck, and if you aren't wealthy, didn't go to SM from kindergarten, play lacrosse or party, there was no place for you. All that many students seemed to care about was partying. There was little to no discipline, and like others have said, if you were a lacrosse player you could get away with anything. Four period day was extremely boring for an honors student. Thank God I got out of there and transferred to a school where I had a much happier experience and challenging education.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student here and i think that the school could be a bit more hands on. It is mainly pointed toward lacrosse. Not my favorite
—Submitted by a student

My child just graduated after 13 years and I would do it all over again. He found the teachers caring and supportive. He played sports, but not lax! We loved it and will miss the SMHS community.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been attending st. marys since first grade. It has to be hard for the new students arriving because everyone is already in a group and not open to new people. Looking back the school was okay but not as fun and inviting as it should be.
—Submitted by a student

The teachers are over all the best, and only reason to go here. I look back and am disappointed that this was the high school I went to. The students are very rude, snobby, and argue over everything with the teacher. It depends who, but certain kids can get in serious trouble with the Asst. Principle, but then again, others can get away with horrible things. Clubs meet once a month, and might as well not exist. This is a 'catholic' school, but most of the children act with the up most disrespect it disgusted me. I found the school to be very rude, cruel, and judgmental. Enroll your child here with caution.
—Submitted by a former student

I love the longer class period which gives my child a college-like experience in class as well as more opportunities to take honors and AP courses -- The school has a strong sense of spirit and community and the kids get into great colleges.
—Submitted by a parent

Overrall a very good school, i graduated in 2005 from this school and i was not an lax player yet i still had a postive experince there. The music department is slightly lacking. The Academics are good not great, and is not especially hard to get into st. mary'. Also it is a very affortable choice compared to the other privates in AA county. Its sports are very good, last year the girls lax team was 3rd in the nation and over the past ten years there has been 3 different sports ranked in the top ten (girls and guys lax and girls soccer). some amazing accomplishments for a 550 coed high school.
—Submitted by a former student

Don't be mislead by comments regarding lacrosse. There have been so many other positive experiences in and out of the fine athletic programs. This school offers the best overall value in the area. And despite the comments from Nov. 2004, the LAX coach is the firmest disciplinarian in the school. Some have commented that discipline is so firm that kids have lost some of their youth-based spirit. No problem, however, about kids participating in all forms of extra-curricular activities. This is a strong spirited school that tends to give back big time to the community during and after their secondary school experiences. Improvement desired in written communications, although recently I understand that an extra-curricular program was implemented to help students master this area. Writing skills development need to be more effectively integrated into the curriculum. Graduates have their pick of colleges regardless of athletic program activities.
—Submitted by a parent

Our child graduated 2005. Comments from Nov. 2004 review are still, unfortunately, right on target. In addition, clubs meet only once a month per semester and often are a study hall. Principle is invisible - never seen and nonresponsive to phone and written messages. Discipline is also uneven as favoritism is a big issue. On the positive side - four period day seems to work well for attentive students.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from St Mary's in 2004 after 13 years (K-12) in the elementary and highschool. I would definitely disagree with the other reviews. Yes, if you are a lacrosse player, you can expect to have a pretty good high school experience. Favoritism towards lacrosse players is rampant, giving them privileges and letting them basically get away with murder, in class and out. Also, if you expect to see the principal, good luck. I rarely saw him during school hours. If your children don't mind favoritism and snobs, or if they are lacrosse players, then maybe St. Mary's is the school for them, but it certainly was not for me or many of my friends.
—Submitted by a former student

This school prepares young students for the college atmosphere. Three of my daughters graduated from St. Mary's and were very successful student athletes in Div. 1 colleges. Great high school experience.
—Submitted by a parent

This is one of the best high schools in the country for getting your young lacrosse star into a great college. As for education, it is on par with public school honors programs. Its the best all around high school for the money.
—Submitted by a former student