School of St. Mary

Posted: November 4, 2019

The teachers are unbelievable. I could not be any more impressed with not only the instruction, but also the love they show each child.

Posted: November 4, 2019

Children from St. Mary’s are kind, respectful, and happy. There is a vibe when you walk into the school that the children know the rules, but they are shown limits in loving ways with positive reinforcement. I believe this has contributed significantly to the success of my children in and out of the classroom.

Posted: November 4, 2019

Any issue or question is important to the administration at this school and they go out of their way to know each and every family.

Posted: November 4, 2019

All of my 3 children have different abilities and learning styles. Each one of them has been nurtured and several given extra support when needed with occupational/speech therapy and reading fluency. They have extra resources available and ensure that the kids are not made to feel insecure about their individual differences.

Posted: November 4, 2019

Bullying is not an issue at all here. The teachers are all very in tune to the kids. Because of the strong faith development, the children are also taught at a very early age about kindness and inclusiveness.

Posted: November 4, 2019

Sending all 3 of our children to the School of St Mary has been one of our best decisions, and we have never regretted our choice. The teachers are truly outstanding and care about each child in such an unbelievable way. I know that when my children are at school, they will be happy and loved. They are thriving academically given the rigorous instruction they have received. Even more importantly to us, they have grown into kind, respectful, inclusive friends and their faith formation has been extraordinary. I cannot say enough great things about this school! It is truly one of our greatest blessings.

Posted: November 4, 2019

There is definitely more homework than my kids peers receive at the local public schools. However, it is manageable and so important to help teach study skills

Posted: February 24, 2018

Posted: February 24, 2018

Posted: February 24, 2018

Posted: February 24, 2018

Posted: February 24, 2018

Posted: February 24, 2018

Posted: February 24, 2018

Our three children have been at School of St. Mary for two years now, transferring in from another Catholic School. St. Mary's teachers, staff and administration have proven time and time again to go above and beyond to teach, help, nurture, and love our children. Class sizes are small. Teachers inspire, encourage, and challenge. Curriculum is excellent. The school is a team where expectations are consistent. We could not be happier or have more pride in our school, church, and Crusader family!

Posted: February 5, 2018

Posted: February 5, 2018

Posted: February 5, 2018

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Posted: February 5, 2018

Posted: February 5, 2018

Posted: February 5, 2018

My daughter has attended the School of St. Mary for the past four years. We could not be more pleased with the teachers and the education she receives. The faculty is top-notch and she has excelled with the curriculum. In addition, she has been given leadership and speaking opportunities starting in pre-school. The School of St. Mary teaches Values for Life.

Posted: January 28, 2017

It is on a case by case basis depending on the severity of the learning difference.

Posted: January 28, 2017

Posted: January 28, 2017

The academics were probably great in the upper levels but we were not very impressed with the 3-year-old pre-kindergarten program. It was very play-based and we were surprised the introduction of letter writing and recognition was not started until the 4-year-old program. The teachers were wonderful but the program did not fit our needs. There was also some time devoted to parent coffees geared towards ensuring your student would stay at the school for future years which was not helpful for us as a military family who would be moving on from that school.

Posted: July 12, 2014

Our child has been attending the School of St. Mary for the past 7 years and we are extremely impressed with the high level of communication by the teachers and administration. Our daughter loves school, is learning a great deal about her faith, as well as values, morals and academics. We are thrilled she is attending a Blue Ribbon School where student achievement scores must be in the top 15% of the nation in order to apply for the Blue Ribbon recognition. Our friends who have had children attend Loyola Academy and Lake Forest High School have shared with us that their children were well prepared academically for high school. Most importantly, though, their students left the School of St. Mary with values for life. We are thrilled with the education our child is receiving. Thanks, SOSM!!!

Posted: December 19, 2013

My child has attended this school for a few years, of which I will be transferring my child this semester. I have questioned the structure of the classroom, lack of academics being taught, responsibility of the faculty, and demeanor of office staff. This school plays favorites and unfortunately, they hold politics above education. I regret sending my child here, and would refrain from sending your child here.

Posted: September 10, 2013

Our child has been at the school for 9 years. While any school has good and bad, the good at St. Mary's far outweighs any negatives. The level of education is good, the kids develop a good sense of community, and the administration is open to feedback from parents. I question some of the negative reviews here, as I have never seen issues with 'haves vs. have nots' (other than growing pains from the kids) and there is no PTA at the school.

Posted: February 4, 2013

Incompetence and bullying are rampant at St. Marys. I just read the prior post which gave me comfort to know I am not the only victim. I am not a top donor at the school which means I have no value to them. What a disgrace of Catholic education.

Posted: February 3, 2013

The administration is unqualified and have proved so. The teachers are young and inexperienced. They seperate the girls and boys at recess to avoid actually dealing with social issues. They dim the lights at lunch and tell the children to keep quite. The children have very little gym time. The blue ribbon award they received is a waste of administration's time and parents' money (research blue ribbons). They promote children repeating kindergarten as a way of generating more tuition dollars. Parents not only pay a very high tuition compared to other local catholic schools, they are expected to donate an exhorbitant amount of additional money just to 'turn the lights on'. The art and music department have very little resources. The upper grade center children have recess in the church parking lot. The lower grade center recess area is usually under water due to leveling, so recess is cancelled alot. The curriculum is outdated. The education is terrible. The children who go on to the public high school have low testing scores. There is very little help for children who need extra help reading, writing etc. The help that is available is given by a very young and inexperi

Posted: October 28, 2012

Our children love the School of St. Mary! Our oldest has been there for over 8 years. The academics are competitive, the teachers are very dedicated and emphasize faith and respect, and the overall community is the best feature. Our children enjoy and participate in choir, debate, service hours, altar serving, football, basketball, volleyball and cheerleading. The parent volunteers who lead these groups do an amazing job. We highly recommend St. Mary. Also the school was just awarded the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award for a second time.

Posted: October 28, 2012

Four of my children attend(ed) the school and I have watched the quality of the school disintegrate over a number of years. It is a shame the school cannot hire or develop the kind of talent in the administration and teachers that was there a decade ago.

Posted: October 27, 2012

I have a number of children in the school, each with different needs. I have had a child with LD's, and he had amazing, supportive friends, coaches who really taught him and played him, and teachers who are academically challenging, personally supportive, and socailly aware. My gifted child is validated, and challenged. Most importantly, bullying behavior rarely finds fertile ground.

Posted: October 27, 2012

I am really surprised at the earlier reviewers comments on the football program. My experience has been a really positive and fair one. These coaches are extremely dedicated and are there to teach life values as much as they are to teach the game of football. They teach how to be a good team mate, how to be a good loser and winner, and how important it is to never give up. These boys are respected by the coaches and in turn the coaches are held in high regard by the players. It has been a wonderful experience for my son and a great addition to his time spent at St. Mary. The school, having just been awarded the blue ribbon award for academic excellence, is on par with all the best schools in the area. What sets St. Mary a part from other schools is its community of teachers and families. To be a part of this community is nothing short of a blessing. It is a place where everyone knows and looks out for each other. A place where your child will not fall through the cracks and parent involvement is always welcomed. It is a wonderful place to bring up your children. Our years at the school are coming to end and we will always have a special place in our hearts for the school.

Posted: October 27, 2012

We have 3 children at St. Mary's- we couldn't be happier with the excellent teachers and support staff. All 3 are growing and learning more everyday. Communication is high with the teaching staff, hands on involement with all aspects of the school. The sports programs are terrific. First class coaches, my children have had a positive experience with all activities.

Posted: October 23, 2011

I am a current 7th grade student at the School of St. Mary. I love St. Mary's! The school has given me many opportunities to be the best I can be. I love all my classes, but especially my honors reading class. I have a great teacher and am surrounded by good students. I have lots of wonderful friends here. When I came here in second grade, I was welcomed by everyone, and easily fit in with all the different kids. I have been able to be on team sports since fifth grade. Volleyball, basketball, and track are the sports I have participated in, though there are other options. Before fifth grade, I had never played volleyball. After two years of playing it at St. Mary's with great coaching, I have made it to a club level junior olympic team, which really says a lot about the sports program here. Overall, I think St. Mary's is a great school and I really enjoy it here.

Posted: October 17, 2011

We have been at St. Mary for 10 years, with our oldest now a freshman at Loyola Academy. St. Mary does an excellent job in preparing the students academically and emotionally and instills a solid foundation for sound values and morals. The administration has made changes in the last couple of years in the curriculum and faculty in order to meet the Archdiocese of Chicago and State "best practices" standards and to ensure the best preparation for its students. The academic preparation, academic support, differentiation in the classrooms, technology and community building and service all contribute to making this an outstanding school for our children. I would also reinforce that the school has set very clear expectations for its students AND reinforces them!

Posted: September 29, 2011

We transferred to this school following two years at a top-rated public school in another town. School of St. Mary is an amazing combination of academics, character-building, and Catholic values and education. The teachers and staff are caring and top-notch, offering differentiated learning and technology to support the curriculum. Our children learn how to be good, caring people with character and Catholic values. Leadership cares about the students and families. It's a truly unique, special environment for which I'm grateful.

Posted: July 10, 2011

A positive is the community is very involved. Unfortunately, the school's leadership is very poor and there is a lack of clear and consistent expectations.

Posted: May 8, 2011

This is not good. The leadership in this school is awful. My child was hurt so much by this school.

Posted: February 7, 2010