St. Mary Star Of The Sea Elementary School

Posted: August 25, 2026

St. Mary’s Star of the Sea has been amazing for our family. Our daughter has gone here since preschool, and she still gets excited for school every morning. The teachers create a structured, welcoming environment that blends strong values with great academics.

Her academic progress blew us away—she was reading Magic Tree House books independently by the end of kindergarten. The school focuses on the whole child and makes learning fun. Highly recommend to any family looking for a supportive school community, regardless of your religious background!

Posted: August 25, 2026

Posted: August 25, 2026

Posted: August 25, 2026

Posted: August 25, 2026

Posted: August 25, 2026

Posted: August 25, 2026

Posted: August 25, 2026

Posted: November 4, 2025

This school is truly an educational nightmare. The newer principal (2022ish) has no idea how to run a school. The various curriculums used are either outdated or limited in rigor. The middle school teachers, if they can keep any, seem to be decent in knowledge. The math teacher is excellent. However, the 4th and 5th grade teachers are literally the most unqualified teachers. These two grades teach absolutely nothing and you can verify that by having your children test their knowledge at the end of either one of these grade years, especially in math and science. Additionally, make sure to check credentials at the state level because several teachers on this campus claim to have teaching credentials but they are NOT credentialed. The 3rd grade teacher was mediocre. The bathrooms are dilapidated, the field was unusable, and the general overall atmosphere was less than Godly (non Catholics taking the host, etc). Additionally, the leadership’s behavior on this campus was appalling. The principal would engage in gossip and he had absolutely no ability to control the student behaviors on this campus. Inquire about the student who threatened the school a few years back-frightening. This school is a total waste of money. The rumors about this school that float around the area and throughout the other diocese schools are true. Believe the rumors.

Posted: November 4, 2025

Posted: November 4, 2025

Posted: November 4, 2025

Posted: November 4, 2025

Posted: November 4, 2025

Posted: November 4, 2025

Posted: January 19, 2019

Our children have been going to St. Marys Star of the Sea Oceanside since 2004 and we absolutely love the staff and the New Principal. The family environment is what makes us always want to return to St. Marys Star of the Sea Oceanside. If there is anyone looking for a school that can offer your child a challenging educational opportunity, St. Marys Star of the Sea Oceanside is your go to school. You will not be disappointed.

Posted: January 19, 2019

Posted: January 19, 2019

Posted: January 19, 2019

Posted: January 19, 2019

Posted: January 19, 2019

Posted: January 19, 2019

Posted: January 31, 2018

Posted: January 31, 2018

Posted: January 31, 2018

Posted: January 31, 2018

Posted: January 31, 2018

Since new staff and new principal this school is not worth paying for. Save yourself the money and enroll your children in public school.

Posted: January 31, 2018

Posted: July 6, 2016

Posted: July 6, 2016

Posted: July 6, 2016

Posted: July 6, 2016

My son went to this school for 7th and 8th grade. We moved here from Rancho Cucamonga, Etiwanda School District, and he was in the gifted program.
This school's science, advanced math, and social science programs challenged his abilities. The language arts and computer science programs gave him insight to new details and more hands-on concepts than he had in the public school.
When we came in 7th grade, we were behind because this science program makes every student submit a project for the San Diego County Science Fair. The student must follow the guidelines for the County Science Fair, make the finals at the school level. Then submit their entries to the San Diego County Science Fair Committee, be accepted, go to Balboa Park to be judged, and then if the student takes first place in their respective area they continue to state and so forth. My son placed 2nd and 3rd respectively with honorable mentions. But the school did have one young lady three years ago make it all the way to Nationals.
The advanced math program is not for all of the students. The student will be tested, and if you pass the test, you are allowed to be in the class. During my son's 8th grade year he was taking freshman Algebra. My son is now going into his freshman year and will be taking Honors Geometry.
My son had been accepted to another private school but chose this school instead. I believe he made the correct decision.

Posted: April 26, 2014

I have had the pleasure of working at this school for 10 years and have found it to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. This diverse community is filled with students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds who have contributed into making this school into a culturally rich learning environment. We are blessed to have the support of our parents who also contribute into making their childrens learning experience successful. Many of our students continue on to private and public high schools with a strong academic foundation and discipline that prepares them for continued success. But most of all it is our main endeavor to prepare our students with a strong spiritual foundation that will carry on with them throughout their lives.

Posted: April 26, 2014

St Mary's Star of the Sea Oceanside is a fabulous school. Academics are strong. Teachers are loving, outgoing and come from very strong academic backgrounds themselves. Attending St. Mary's is special because it is an extension of your current family. There is a school wide Mass every Friday and the whole school participates. Students where uniforms and treat teachers and peers respectfully. It is a wonderful place to be everyday. It is safe, nurturing and academically challenging. I highly recommend this school.

Posted: April 26, 2014

St. Mary Star of the Sea School is dedicated to educating the entire child. The academics are very strong and prepare the graduates to succeed in high school and life. There is a strong physical education program to keep the students healthy and able to perform at their best. The students are taught to be participating citizens in a community as they learn to grow in their faith. St. Mary School is a fabulous community of learners where life long friendships begin and are nurtured.

Posted: April 7, 2014

My son LOVES this school and cannot wait to go everyday. Teachers are amazing. He comes back everyday very happy. They are all wearing uniform and the school knows the balance of too strict and being a kid. Don't let the old buiding scares you. The education is amazing!

Posted: March 4, 2013

We moved to Oceanside in 2007 and were blessed to find a home at St. Mary's. We have had 4 children there (the oldest has moved on to high school) and it really has been a second home for them. They have thrived personally, academically and spiritually. The school is demanding academically but always emphasizes the importance of genuine Christian love and fellowship. Highly recommend this school.

Posted: November 25, 2012

My two kids go to St. Mary's (one in preschool and the other in 1st grade) and we've had such a fantastic experience. The teachers have been wonderful and the parents get to know each other due to the small school. I love the fact that there is an assigned room mom that can help whenever you have any questions, although the teachers can easily be reached too.

Posted: August 7, 2012

My daughter has been going to St. Mary's for 5 years now, since Preschool and she is very happy with the school, her classmates and the teachers. Her Iowa Test Scores are well above average and she is well behaved. The school is the lowest priced private school in the area by far. To me the school seems a bit dated, though she doesn't see it that way. She loves the school and wants to continue going there until 8th grade.

Posted: June 9, 2011

2 of our kids spent 8 years at St. Mary's. The oldest one went on to be valedictorian of his high school and graduated last year from harvard. The best thing about St. Mary's is the solid ethical foundation given but the academic side is strong also, particularly in math. We are so grateful for all that the school has done for our kids!

Posted: April 12, 2011

Both my sons attended the preschool and it has always felt like a second home for my children. All the teachers and Ms. Shapiro, the Director genuinely care about every individual child. I highly recommend the preschool for its curriculum, value and staff.

Posted: February 5, 2011

St.Mary's helped my son turn his entire attitude towards learning around. He loves the sports programs and the structure. The classrooms are quiet and the teachers are really able to teach the material. He loves Advanced Math and there is a healthy spirit of competition to achieve good grades. I love this school and can't say enough great things about it. The teachers and environment of St. Mary's transformed his outlook on education and its importance.