St. Mary's has been the only school our children have ever known. Our oldest daughter, Aliana, started here in Kindergarten and is now 16 years old. Over the years, we've come to deeply appreciate the sense of community that has taken shape under Mrs. Sanchez. Since she became principal, the school has made tremendous progress, and it shows in every aspect of our children’s education.
When we first started considering schools for our daughters, we wanted something more than what APS could offer. We sought a place that combined strong academics with a focus on faith and values, and St. Mary's fit that description perfectly. What we like most is how our children are pushed to reach their potential and are supported through their learning journey. It's been wonderful to see how much our girls have improved in their reading skills. Every time they take the STAR test, I can't wait to hear about their progress and see their excitement when they tell me their results.
For anyone hesitant about choosing St. Mary's, I would say that being on the fence is hard – you would probably get pretty tired. But seriously, if you're looking for a supportive community where your children can belong and thrive, St. Mary's is the place for you. The diversity here enriches the community and enhances the learning experience for all.
When we first enrolled our daughters, we were nervous about our decision. We're not super wealthy, so paying for school was a significant commitment. But we hoped it would be beneficial for our girls, and it has been. We didn’t know what to expect, but we quickly saw how amazing the teachers and staff were with the girls. The teachers and administrators are incredibly passionate about their work and genuinely care about the students on a personal level, not just as learners.
We chose St. Mary’s based on an observation we made with my husband’s cousins, who attended the school. They loved reading, and when I asked why, they said it was because they read every day for school and enjoyed it. I told my husband that I wanted to send our kids to the school they went to because I wanted our children to enjoy reading as well. Today, all three of our girls love reading for fun.
St. Mary’s offers higher standards of education, integrates sacraments into the curriculum, and fosters a strong sense of community. We love that the teachers and administrators know our girls by name for positive reasons, unlike when I was a child and only the troublemakers were known to the admins.
One of the most surprising aspects has been our daughters’ progress in reading. We didn’t expect our two older daughters to be reading by the time they started 1st grade. Our children genuinely enjoy being at St. Mary’s. Our daughter says, “It’s an amazing opportunity.” Aliana, our oldest, states, “St. Mary’s was a wonderful place for me to learn a lot about my faith, morals, values, and beliefs. I really think that going there since Kindergarten has helped me to be a follower of Christ and a child of God.”
We look forward to interacting with everyone in the St. Mary's community and enjoy the special events held each year. It's great to be part of the activities our kids participate in.
Currently, our daughters are in 2nd grade (Amaya), 8th grade (Alivia), and 11th grade (Aliana, who attended St. Mary’s from K-8). We hope that children from all backgrounds will feel comfortable and secure in themselves here, without feeling pressured to have the latest expensive items to feel valued among their peers.
In conclusion, we love this school and the community it fosters. We are grateful for the education and values our children receive at St. Mary's.