St. Mary Star of the Sea School

My niece is a Pre K student at St. Mary Star of the Sea School. It is important to me that she is happy with her teachers and that she is secured with her surrounding and environment. Like all the parents, I want positive experience for her in all aspects of learning and also introduction to religion. She is 4 years old, she is curious and she is wise for her age, and all she ever talks about is her school. During weekends she asks to go to school. She is anxious when Monday morning arrives so that she can go to school. I have had the opportunity to meet with some of the staff members while visiting Virginia and I feel very comfortable and at ease with the decision to have enrolled her into this school. I am forever grateful that we have found a school that is suitable for my niece. Thank you.

I am very please with St Mary Star of the Sea School. The emphasis on religion is great and remaining loyal to the magesterium of the Church is outstanding. The environment is safe and the Sisters are great! With the addition of the marine science program, the school is well equipped to educate children in both matters of faith and morals as well as the skills necessary to be successful in the world today.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had the joy of moving around with the military and our children have been able to attend many schools. This is by far our favorite!! St Mary's is like a family as the classes are small, the teachers are nurturing and caring, and the Sisters are so joyful to be around. One of the big selling points when we moved here was the fact that the teachers are all certified teachers. Now that we have been here for three years, there are many more selling points. Our three children are happy and have flourished and grown here--academically and spiritually. We will be moving away this summer and are so worried that we will not find a school that lives up to our high expectations.
—Submitted by a parent

All of my children have attended saint marys since kindergarden. One has graduated to peninsula catholic and have three to go. All the sacrifices that we make is all worth it for our childrens education. I thank all the sisters and teachers at saint marys for the morals,love and catholic education that is continually taught to all. Friendships between the childrens teachers and their peers are bonds that will forever be remembered and cherished. As well as mine with all at saint marys. In my eyes, this school is the best in all of the world.
—Submitted by a teacher

this marks the third year of our family's involvement with SMSSS. we've had a great experience. the teachers are caring & dedicated professionals, who drive my children to do more than average. they care about their interests & foster them. i do wish there were a few other after school activities or opportunities for the younger grade levels (e.g. the marine science project), but i believe that they are trying. i moved to the area & chose the school on faith - it was a great decision.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from St. Mary's in 1994. When my daughter was still in the womb I always knew that this was the school that she would attend. My expectations have been fulfilled and surpassed. You don't find many schools that honestly and truly care about children as much as you see at this school. St. Mary's is unlike no other! Even through the passing years the traditions, morals and expectations have always remained the same. The old saying that goes "You get what you pay for" if you pick St. Mary's you get triple what you pay. Your child will grow and learn into being a respectful and intelligent young adult. Success in education starts at a early age. I promise, you can definitely tell a difference from a child that goes to St. Mary's than a child who goes to a public school or another private school. If you want to give your child the BEST of everything, than St. Mary's should be your number one pick as far as their education.
—Submitted by a parent

As a military family assigned to Langley Air Force Base, we sent all three of our children to Saint Mary Star of the Sea School. The school has dedicated teachers, a great athletic program, and a bus that helps to meet transportation needs. Saint Mary's knows how to prepare students for the academic rigors of High School. Our two oldest now attend UVA and Roanoke College. Compared to other Private Schools in the area, we found the tuition affordable. Tuition assistance is available to qualified applicants.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. It is right on the water which makes it a great place of Marine Biology. The teachers are very approchable and the Sisters are very kind. For Seventh and Eighth grade students there are special Math courses. I would reccomend this shcool to anyone!

As a parent who spent 21 years in the Army, with children ranging from senior in college down to first grade, I feel I have seen many different kinds of schools all over the country. Without reservation I would say Saint Mary Star of the Sea school is one of the best. I find that the teachers try to meet the educational needs of the individual child. At Saint Mary s the faculty use every situation as a teachable moment. They have high expectations of the children, they challenge them to meet those expectations, and they hold them to high standards. I am constantly amazed at the things my child learns particularly about his faith. It makes me realize how little I learned as a child. But in this religious environment my child also learns important social skills like courtesy to adults, being kind to other children, and being grateful for the things he has. Is this a perfect school? Certainly not. Like every school it has areas it can improve on, but concern for the children s education and well-being is their first priority. Is it worth the investment over public schools? Absolutely. As a parent we all know we will have to invest in our child s education. My opinion is, invest early while your children are young, it will pay dividends later when they are applying to college. What you will get for your money is an opportunity for your children to attend a school led by Dominican Sisters, who by their example inspire the faculty to be better in their role as educators.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Mary's is an incredible school! This is our second year at St. Mary's and we are completely impressed! The education is first-rate. The teachers and staff are very student-centered. The small class sizes allow the teachers to give individual attention to each student. As you walk down the halls, you can feel a warm, inviting almosphere where the kids are happy and respectful. The kids greet teachers and parents, and open the doors for them. The 'Golden Rule' is lived here by all, with the perfect example of joy and faith from the Sisters. I am so pleased that my boys are not only being prepared to advance to the next grade, but also being taught critical life skills, such as public speaking and leadership. I highly recommend St. Mary Star of the Sea School!
—Submitted by a parent

Saint Marys is a great school. Both of my kids have attended since kindergarten and they are doing fine. The staff and the teachers really care about the kids and the families. As to the comment someone wrote about not having a fence between the playground and the water, we now have a fence. However, it was never really a concern since you would have to cross a driveway, then a field and only then did you get to Mill Creek, not rough water. Check out the school, most of us love it!
—Submitted by a parent

St. Mary's Start of the Sea school was the best elementary school! My daughter went all 8 years there. Great education!! Best friend of my daughter who transferred from local public school, was a full year behind in many of her subjects until she caught up. The children there receive a top education, surrounded by other well behaved children, and the parents were very involved in school activities. Several times a year, there would be ie. Math night. Everyone, children and parents would come to the school in the evening and the children participated in games and other activities focusing on Math. The kids had fun and got them more interested and excited in that subject area. Similarly, all of the subjects had their own night throughout the year. Absolutely everyone attended! Staff, including nuns are very involved with the students and parents. I highly recommend SMSS!!
—Submitted by a parent

I hate this school and i go to it. It is really bad. The teachers are very un- approachable, and do not believe students. They go directly to we are lying. The Principal is not friendly at all, and it is not a fun place. I am in the 8th grade and currently have to write a thing on why i Love Saint mary star of the sea school. Lets just say i am having a difficult time. There are many other good schools in the area! Gloria Dei Lutheran school is amazing. For middle school there are also many other options. They teach not the values of being catholic reallly. Like, they get angry when we voice are opinion about abortion, just, becarefull if you decide here.
—Submitted by a student

I wouldn't send my child back to this school. When we moved our children were behind when they entered school the following fall. There is a huge problem with communication between staff and parents. We often found the principal and vice principal unavailable and often very rude. Teachers lesson plans were not well thought out. Although it is a Catholic school the values are not what you would expect. The good points are it is close to military facilities, has a great view of the water, and they have lovely a fish tank.
—Submitted by a parent

As a a military (USAF) family, we relocate often (every 2-3 yrs)...and requires a multitude of adjustments to new cultures, and curriculums for our 6-yr old son. We chose St Mary's because of the reviews annotated on this site and the local base/community high recommendations. We are a Catholic family; however, if we were not, we would definitely recommend this school to other families. The before & after school program (especially under the direction of Mrs Redden) is caring, structured, and truly assisted us by ensuring our son started and often completed (correctly) his homework. His teacher, Mrs Hamilton, is the best... caring, thorough, and focus-driven...She is diverse, communicates daily with parents via home letters, and website. I couldn't have asked for anyone better for our son. My son's experience at SMSSS was the best choice we could have made. Thank you for all you have done! Much Success!
—Submitted by a parent

As a grandmother of two children at SMSS I too have seen a great improvement in thier education and spiritual development. I also have seen first hand student transfers from SMSS to Hampton City Schools and have seen thier SOL test scores soar . It is a wonderful school.

We have truly been blessed to have found such a wonderful school for our two boys! My husband and I were looking for a different environment for my oldest son whom was struggling in the public school environment. Since he has been at SMSS Sister has worked very closely with him and despite some initial struggles to catch up to the academic pace of a private school, he is making great strides. I appreciate the hard work and dedication of Sister and the Principal. It is because of them, that for the first time in his entire school career my oldest son has experienced some success. Since our boys have entered SMSS, I have seen both of them grow in faith and spirituality, as well as academics. My first grader has simply flourished. I can't wait for our youngest to attend next year. I would highly recommend SMSS to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son's experience has been awesome. He is performing well above other kids his age, and the great teachers are the key. The school is small, which is wonderful because your kids get very individualized attention. We love it.
—Submitted by a parent

I would not send my children here. After two years our kids were behind in school by a year when we moved to Arizona. Although most teachers are great others including the people in charge are unresponsive to the needs of the children. The PTO has trouble just getting parents involved and after school activities are few and far between. The glimmer of hope is the Sisters who provide a spark of light. Sports activites are small but they do have some. The school is on the water and they have no fence between the playground and the sometimes very rough water. I would look carefully before I send my children to this school as there are others close by who are much better.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a son, who attended this school from 1st-6th. He did well academically in this close knit and religious environment. The school prepared him very well to enter the gifted program in the public school. He's currently a National Junior Honor Society member. His foundation years were exceptional at SMSSS. I also have a daughter currently enrolled in the school. She's also excelling scholastically. The school is definitely above the grade equivalent public school. The security and spiritual development of this school is priceless. All teachers know every student. It's a very loving environment. Scouting is also strong at the school. I have a son entering the school this year and I look forward to his educational experience. The kindergarten is great. National testing of my children has also shown me that this school is above average to other schools taking the same tests. I highly recommend SMSSS.
—Submitted by Angeline Hoen, a parent