St. Mary's Episcopal School

Mixed feelings. The parent involvement at this school is phenomenal. There is required volunteer time, which you can opt out of by paying a large fee a couple times a year. The curriculum uses phonetic reading, and multi-age classrooms. Small student to teacher ratio. Our student's teacher did not communicate with us. I often heard sarcasm, and on one occasion, humiliation, as a means of correction. She will not be returning next year. The other teachers seem incredible. The principal is caring and great at listening to parents' concerns, although it seemed as if getting along was more important than addressing those concerns at times. This school is military friendly.
--Submitted by a parent

After a stressful few months at another private school, we transferred my son to St. Mary's. He loves it. He cannot wait to so to school each morning. The small class size and caring staff are worth the 1.5 hour drive each day.
--Submitted by a parent

After an okay year in the Clover Park School District, we made the switch to St. Mary's. It was the best move we have made since PCSing to this area! Our children love this school and their teachers! St Mary's fosters independence and leadership in the kids while still maintaining behavioral standards that we have found to be lacking in several schools our children have attended. Children are expected to excel and do so with loving and supportive guidance from all teachers and staff. This school is truly family based and you are welcomed at the door each morning by the principal and a teacher. Every child is recognized and made to feel special, regardless of where they stand academically. St. Mary's is the total package! Well worth our tuition money!
--Submitted by a parent

Walking into St. Mary's is like coming home. New families are welcomed with open arms by parents and staff. The teachers have a love for and commitment to their children that is channeled through an extraordinary curriculum. Faith and moral development are emphasized and children develop empathy and kindness rare in today's schools. The founding principle recently retired and the new principle has hit the ground running bringing experience and enthusiasm to the school. The student population ranges in age from 2 to 10. Both military and local families attend. I have looked at every educational opportunity in the area and have found the school to be the best.
--Submitted by a parent

St. Mary's provides a quality education in a Christian environment. Extracurricular activites are available (language, music, cooking). Also available is a 10% Military discount on tution. Very close to McChord AFB/ Ft. Lewis.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers are true educators. They truly love the children in their classes. The curriculum allows them to address each child at his or her level, and the teachers take full advantage of that to make sure our daughter is growing constantly. They teach both the basics and big concepts via creative methods that really stick with the kids. The music instructor, Rachel Root, is extremely creative. She has instilled an enjoyment of singing and sound in the children. Our daughter now spontaneously sings to us, to herself, and to others the songs she learns at school. Ms. Tracy, the PE instructor is full of life and enjoyment. Her enthusiasm has the kids laughing and wanting to join in the exercise activities. The chapel class is loving and educational, not preachy or dogmatic. The children feel welcome and loved at St. Mary's. We are very lucky to have found it.
--Submitted by a parent

We have two children at St. Mary's. We enjoy the family-like atmosphere and are glad for the opportunity to meet the other parents during pick-up and drop-off time each day. Both children are doing work beyond their grade level. Our pre-schooler has started reading and our first-grader has been moved up to the second-grade. We love the after school activities offered: Spanish class, cooking class, sports camp, and a doll-making class. Our new music teacher is a gem and our children are always singing new songs they have learned in school. St. Mary's is a wonderful small school that gives children a happy, safe and Christian learning environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Bringing my son to St. Mary's School was the best move we could have made. The small class size, and academic curriculum, coupled with personal accountability mirrored those traits we emphasized at home. Though he is now a teenager he still reminds me of his time at St. Mary's and how much he enjoyed it. St. Mary's is unique in that students are encouraged to pursue a subject beyond 'traditional' grade boundaries. They call it 'taking the lid off the box.' It's not Montessori, but it's not the assembly line thinking that characterizes traditional American education either. Rather, it encourages and excites students to explore. Usually, St. Mary's students end up ahead of their public school counterparts. Not a bad thing! As a parent, I appreciated the support I received from the staff. Teachers were available, willing to conference, communication with administration encouraged, and my child's welfare was always the central issue.
--Submitted by a parent

Small class sizes, cusom tailored education, faith based environment, phenomenal teachers, brand new classrooms all create a truly excellent learning environment for children from pre-school through 3rd grade. My daughter has been here for six years and it has been a sheer delight to watch her growth, both educationally and spiritually. The small class size affords a rare opportunity to really focus on your childs strengths as well as develop and strengthen any weaknesses. As the Chairman of the School Advisory Committee (SAC) along with our parent class representatives and the principal, we continually review the curriculum to insure that it meets our strong committment to our childrens educational development. Our faith based curriculum is extremely well written and developed for each age/grade. Your child will truly blossom in this enviroment and it is a wonderful thing to see. St Mary's School Board Member
--Submitted by a parent