St. Mary's Episcopal School

My 3 children are enrolled at St. Mary's, and we love it! We've been here for a couple of years now. All three teachers (and the paraprofessionals, as well!) that my children have go above and beyond what is expected to love, nurture, and help our little ones learn. The children are accepted for who they are, loved, and I trust the staff very much with these kiddos. The principal is very kind, and she also helps out in the classrooms. She always has something positive and encouraging to report about my children. She has also been very receptive to my comments and input. The music program is also phenomenal--the children sound absolutely enchanting for their recitals, and they learn music theory as well as meaningful hymns about God's love. There is a good physical ed program where they get to learn team skills and different games. My kids come home telling me what they have learned every day, and the teachers do a very good job of communicating what is going on in the classroom. St. Mary's feels like an extended family.
—Submitted by a parent

A GREAT beginning for toddlers and beyond! Being a small, privately funded program it may not have all the bells as whistles of larger day care/preschool programs in the area...but they make up for it with the high level of personal care for each family and passion for providing child-centered education. The principal, teachers, and staff MAKE this school such a special place for children! It is evident that what is best for students is their top priority. This is our first year at St. Mary's school. Our child is in the 2 yr old classroom and I can honestly say her teacher is EXCELLENT! The loving, nurturing, and engaging environment in the classroom and the school leave me feeling confident that my child is safe, well-cared for, and VALUED each day. The smaller classes let my child to develop a true bond with her teacher and classroom aides. If you are looking for an alternative to the McDaycare setting where you may feel more like a number and desire a early childhood care and education that is personalized and family-oriented look no further than St. Mary's!
—Submitted by a parent

St. Mary's is a loving and nuturing place for both of my boys. Our four year old is now in his third year of enrollment at St. Mary's and watching him blossom both academicly and spiritually is a joy. He looks forward to school and loves to share all that he is learning with us each night. Just the other day he was "playing school" with our neighbor and I overheard them practicing the Pledge of Allegience pretending a helium balloon was the flag--it was so sweet! Our two-year-old has recently begun attending St. Mary's and his teacher is literally an angel walking on earth. She is loving and patient with my son and is even helping us potty-train our littlest! We also absolutely adore the new Head of School! She is an amazing and dynamic leader with so much valuable knowledge and experience. We are so blessed she has joined St. Mary's. St. Mary's has so much to offer and I couldn't recommend it more highly!!
—Submitted by a parent

We're a school whose sole reason for being is to educate children in a loving and academically challenging environment so that they can help to make a better world. This regardless of where they might be in their life-journey. Teachers reflect the unconditional love of Christ in our relationship with our students, their families, and each other. This is the example we set for your children. If a child walks out our door at the end of their time at St. M knowing only one thing it is that they are loved and accepted just as they are. I see colleagues I know could be earning much more money in larger private or public schools (this is NOT a complaint) who stay at St. M because they believe in the work we do. Right up to our Headmistress who is a grand addition. She is opening up whole new worlds for us to consider. As a specialist, I believe that each child has an innate ability in the subject I teach. It is up to me to bring it out of them in a fun, yet challenging way. I see this in the teaching of my colleagues. Through our teaching we work to instill a life-long love of knowledge and a belief in our students that they can achieve anything they choose.
—Submitted by a teacher

Two years ago, we were seeking an innocent, nurturing, caring, safe and high quality learning environment for our preschool daughter....similar to the village schools we had in England for our older kids. It was also important to us that the school give her a good Christian belief/morality foundation. Lastly, because she is a born leader/manipulator it was important for her to have some caring discipline and firm (and smart!) teachers that were well backed by a strong principal. I am pleased to report that we found all of this at St. Mary's. Without a doubt I would recommend it to any family seeking similar values in a school. Our daughter grew there, and she was nurtured and cared for, and encouraged to love learning and music and school. She loved her teachers and her friends at St. Mary's and she was happy to go to school each day, even though she never quite liked the uniform. Even though she is the youngest in her class, and is in a bigger class now, she is doing very well. She is a strong, vibrant learner, earning her place in first grade now...within a top tier, large public school in Fairfax, Virginia. Hats off to all the folks at St Mary's!
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing school for your children! As a mother of three, looking for the right school when moving into this area.... sometimes it is difficult to find a good fit for all of them. However, St. Mary's is it! The environment is a loving, nurturing and communal one with wonderful parent involvement. The staff know each child on a first name bases, and are always available and helpful to the families. My children are in their third year of school at St. Mary's, and the growth in every aspect of their life has been tremendous.... academically, socially, and spiritiually! They love going to school, they love their teachers, and they love knowing that each day they spend at school will be one full of possitive challenges and caring support! I would absolutely recommend St. Mary's to any parent looking for a school where their child can be challenged academically, mentored socially and nurtured spiritually! It will be hard to top the experience we have had at St. Mary's when we move next summer!
—Submitted by a parent

We love St. Mary's! Wonderful, caring, nurturing, happy place to go to school! Our new principal, Phyllis Gamas, has completely changed the school since we arrived 3 years ago -- it's exactly what we were looking for when we PCSed to Ft. Lewis for our children. Mrs. Gamas sets high standards for the staff and the students; all are thriving under her leadership. Parents are asked for input, and changes are immediately made to better the school. Classes are small, and children are challenged daily. Chilren are held accountable for their behavior, and I have observed only positive growth for our 2 and 4 year olds. I love the integration of Chapel and music classes during the week. There is a great blend of military and local families, and military families are supported by the school community. Our children go to school with smiles on their faces and come home with bigger smiles. If you are looking for a faith-based private school within a short commute to Post, look no further than St. Mary's Episcopal School!
—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