General Questions

What time does school begin and end?

Kindergarten – 8th Grade:
7:20 - Student Drop-Off Begins
8:00 am – Instruction Begins– students should be in their seats
3:10 pm – Last Class Ends

3:15 pm Dismissal

 

Preschool:
8:00 – 11:00 am - 3 & 4 AM Session

12:00 – 3:00pm - 3 & 4’s PM Session
8:00 – 3:00pm - Full-day 4’s

 

12:30 pm - 1:45 pm
 

What is the school dress code?
Preschool and Junior Kindergarten students do not wear school uniforms. Casual comfortable attire should be worn so that every child feels comfortable while painting, playing, sitting on the carpet, etc.

Kindergarten - 8th Grade: Official St. Mary Catholic School Uniform
Preschool and Junior Kindergarten: Casual dress clothes
See the St. Mary School Dress Codes Here: Downloads


Does St. Mary School offer hot lunch?
Hot lunch is served on a daily basis. The meals are prepared on site in our kitchen. Our lunch menu is designed strictly for our students, allowing us to gear the menu to their tastes while providing a healthy well-balanced lunch daily. Our menu meets the dietary guidelines set by the Secretary of Agriculture in Washington D.C.


Are childcare services available before/after school?
St. Mary Backpacks (latchkey) is available before and after school. The morning session opens at 7:00 and lasts until school begins. The afternoon session begins immediately after school until 6:00 pm. For additional information, see our Latchkey page.


What non-homeroom (also known as "Specials") classes does St. Mary School offer?
Special classes are offered each week and vary by grade level.
Spanish: Grades K - 8
Computers: Grades K - 8
Library: Grades K - 5
Art: Grades K - 8
Gym: Grades Pre K - 8
Music: Grades Pre K - 8

What Student Groups are available to St. Mary School students?

Altar Servers: Grades 5-8

American Heritage Girls: Grades Kindergarten-8
Art Club Grades 4 - 8
Beginning Band
Cub Scouts: Grades 1 - 5
Chess Club: Grades 4 - 6
Children's Choir: Grades 3 - 8
Concert Band
CYO Sports: Grades 5 - 8
       3rd and 4th Grade Boys & Girls Instructional Basketball
       1st - 4th Grade Co - Ed Indoor Soccer
Forensics Club
Girl Scouts: Kindergarten - 8th Grade
Newspaper Club: Grades 4 - 8
Student Council: Grades 5 - 8
National Junior Honor Society: Grades 6 - 8

For more information, visit our Student Life page.


What athletic teams are available for student participation?
Co-ed Indoor Soccer: Grades 1 - 4
Instructional Boys and Girls Basketball: Grades 3 - 4
CYO Boys and Girls Soccer: Grades 5 - 8
CYO Girls Softball: Grades 5 - 8

CYO Boys & Girls Cross Country: Grades 5-8
CYO Boys Baseball: Grades 5 - 8
CYO Girls Volleyball Grades 5 - 8
CYO Co-ed Bowling: Grades 5 - 8

Additional information can be found on our Athletics page.

 

 

How many hours do I have to commit/volunteer for?
The families of St. Mary students in Full Day Kindergarten through Grade 8 are required to provide 12 hours of volunteer service and 4 lunch duties per school year. These hours may be accumulated through participation in activities offered through the school. The hours will be calculated from Fun Day 2023 until May 24, 2024.

Why do I have to volunteer hours to the school?
A school rich with volunteers contributes to a community atmosphere - which is precisely what we strive for. Providing these hours also contributes to the success of our events.

Must I provide the Volunteer Hours?
If you are unable to volunteer, you will be asked to pay $20.00 per hour and/or $20.00 per lunch period that are not fulfilled.

What are some potential volunteer activities?
Almost all of the activities hosted by the Parent Action Committee (PAC) count toward your volunteer hours. Some of these activities include: Pennies from Heaven, Daddy/Daughter Dance, Mom/Son Outing, Open House, Spirit Wear, Catholic Schools Week, Santa Shop, and Book Fair.

Please see our Volunteer Opportunities List for opportunities to participate.

New Families

When is the St. Mary School Open House?
Our New Family Open House is held the last Sunday in January from 1:00 - 4:00pm. Please call the school office  at 586.458.4570 for more information.

 

Can I take a tour of the school?
Yes! All prospective families are encouraged to tour the school during the school day and bring their child along if possible. Please call the school office to schedule a tour!

Students entering grades 2-8 are invited to attend St. Mary School for a day prior to enrolling. It is a nice opportunity for the student to meet new friends, learn the layout of the school, and be introduced to their prospective teachers and school staff.

What are tuition rates for St. Mary School?
For complete tuition information, including In-Parish and Out-of-Parish rates, please visit the Tuition Page. 

How do I qualify for In-Parish tuition rates?
This plan applies to any family registered at St. Peter Catholic Church, another Catholic parish, or an Eastern Rite church aligned with the Roman Catholic Church. If you belong to St. Peter, you must be an active parishioner “in good standing” in the parish. If you belong to another parish, the school office will contact your parish for verification from the Pastor that you are registered and in “good standing” at your home parish.
 
What are class size limits?
3 Year - old Preschool: 18 students per session with a certified teacher and a full-time aide
4 Year - old Preschool: 24 students per session with a certified teacher and a full-time aide
Kindergarten thru 8th grades: 20-26 students
 
What is the entrance age for Preschool and Kindergarten?
3 year - old preschoolers must be 3 by September 1st and toilet trained.
4 year - old preschoolers must be 4 by September 1st
Kindergartners must be 5 by September 1st
 
What is included in the Preschool/Kindergarten curriculum?
Our Preschool Program Brochure describes areas of student growth in creative expression, motor skill, language arts, math, religion, science and social/emotional development.

Our Kindergarten Curriculum Overview describes areas of student growth in phonological awareness, motor skill, handwriting, religion, math, reading readiness, oral language, science, social studies, and development of work habits.

 
How are new Kindergarten and First Grade students assessed?
The Brigance Assessment is administered to all new Kindergartners and 1st Graders to St. Mary School. This is done to ensure that St. Mary School is the appropriate educational placement for your child. Our teaching staff will also use the testing information to gain a greater insight into our new students. The screening requires no preparation on the part of the student being tested.


I am interested in registering my child at St. Mary School. What is the registration process?
When? Registration for current families begins at the end of January.
How? Call the school office at 586-46-4570 for more information on our online registration process.