We’ve often heard about the commendable efforts St. Mary’s School in Peoria is making to provide quality Catholic education. Their small class sizes, outdoor classroom experiences, and CONNECTed curriculum suggest a progressive approach to education, but what makes it truly special? What sets it apart from other schools in Peoria? Let’s take a closer look at how St. Mary’s is shaping the future leaders of our community.
Overview of St. Mary’s School
At St. Mary’s School, we’re committed to engaging, challenging, and inspiring our students through a quality education that’s deeply rooted in Catholic traditions. Our Peoria preschool, kindergarten, and elementary schools are designed to foster a love of learning and a sense of curiosity amongst our students.
We pride ourselves on our small class sizes, which enable us to provide individualized attention to each student. Our outdoor classroom allows for hands-on learning experiences that traditional classrooms often lack.
In addition, our CONNECTed curriculum, unique to St. Mary’s, incorporates Agriculture/Cooking, STEM Learning, Physical Education, and Typing/Coding into our students’ daily lessons.
Moreover, our extracurricular offerings are diverse, ranging from Art & Theater to Athletics, Band & Music, Chess Club, and Student Council. These provide our students with opportunities to explore their passions outside the classroom.
St. Mary’s School’s three cornerstones—liturgy, sacrament, and service—strengthen our students’ faith and form a strong foundation for their youth. Our mission isn’t only to educate but also to help our students find meaning in their lives.
We’re committed to creating lifelong learners who strive for individual excellence.
Academic Excellence at St. Mary’s
We’re proud to offer a 12:1 student/teacher ratio at St. Mary’s, ensuring each child receives the personalized attention they need to excel academically. This low ratio allows our dedicated teachers to focus on each student’s unique learning style and pace, fostering an environment where every child can thrive. We’ve seen our approach result in notable academic achievements across all grades.
Beyond the phenomenal student/teacher ratio, our academic excellence is also attributed to:
1. A comprehensive curriculum – We provide a robust and balanced curriculum that integrates arts, sciences, mathematics, and language arts, preparing students for a successful future in an increasingly globalized society.
2. Innovative teaching methods – We’re constantly exploring new teaching methods and technologies, adapting our classrooms to the dynamic educational landscape. This ensures our students are equipped with the skills needed in the 21st Century.
3. Faith-based education – Our academic programs are underpinned by our faith, instilling in our students not only knowledge but also spiritual growth and moral values.
At St. Mary’s, we’re committed to academic excellence, nurturing our students to become well-rounded individuals, ready to take on the world.
Extracurricular Activities and Opportunities
Beyond nurturing academic excellence, St. Mary’s also offers a rich array of extracurricular activities to enhance our students’ learning experience. We believe in fostering well-rounded development, thus presenting opportunities in arts, athletics, and club-based activities.
In the arts, we’ve established strong band, music, and theater programs. Our students express creativity and build confidence while performing in school productions. Additionally, our art classes encourage students to explore their artistic talents and develop an appreciation for visual arts.
Athletic activities aren’t left out either. We offer a variety of sports for both boys and girls, promoting teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. From basketball to volleyball, our teams compete with pride and sportsmanship.
Club-based activities range from the intellectually stimulating Chess Club to the leadership-building Student Council. We also offer a unique outdoor classroom experience for hands-on learning, and a CONNECTed curriculum that includes agriculture, cooking, STEM learning, and typing or coding.
Through these extracurricular pursuits, we’re not just imparting education, we’re shaping well-rounded individuals. At St. Mary’s, we’re committed to providing an environment where students can explore their passions, grow their skills, and truly thrive.
Community Involvement and Civic Responsibility
Cultivating a sense of community involvement and civic responsibility forms an integral part of our mission at St. Mary’s. We firmly believe that our students shouldn’t only excel academically but also contribute positively to society.
We’ve designed several initiatives to instill this spirit in our students. These include:
1. Community Service Projects: We encourage our students to participate in various community service projects. It’s a way for them to directly impact and improve their local communities.
2. Civic Education: We’ve integrated civic education into our curriculum. This helps our students understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens and the importance of active participation in the democratic process.
3. Partnerships with Local Organizations: We’ve established partnerships with local organizations. This allows our students to engage with real-world issues and develop a deeper understanding of their community.
We’re proud of the way these initiatives have helped our students become responsible and active citizens. We’ve seen them grow in empathy, kindness, and understanding. They’re learning to look beyond themselves, understanding that they’re part of something bigger – a community, a nation, a world. This is the essence of education at St. Mary’s.
Parental Perspectives on St. Mary’s
Parents’ voices echo the excellence of St. Mary’s, sharing their unique perspectives and experiences. We, as parents, appreciate the small class sizes that enable individualized attention for each child. The school’s emphasis on hands-on learning, especially through the outdoor classroom and CONNECTed curriculum, is something we find particularly beneficial.
Our children aren’t just learning; they’re engaging, experimenting, and growing. We’re also impressed with the wide array of extracurricular activities available. Whether our kids are interested in art, theater, sports, or even chess, St. Mary’s has something for them. The blend of academics and athletics fosters a well-rounded education, helping our children develop physically, mentally, and socially.
But what truly sets St. Mary’s apart for us is its faith-based approach. The school’s mission to build a strong foundation for our youth through liturgy, sacrament, and service resonates deeply with us. We believe this helps our children build meaning in their lives and equips them with strong moral values.
St. Mary’s isn’t just a school to us; it’s a community that nurtures and inspires our children’s individual excellence.
At St. Mary’s School, we’re committed to providing an enriching, faith-based education that nurtures each student’s potential. With our unique curriculum and focus on community involvement, we’re setting our students up for a successful future. Our parents appreciate the well-rounded education their children receive, and we’re proud of the positive impact we’re making.
Come experience the St. Mary’s difference for yourself.