About Our School

In 1866, two Sinsinawa Dominican sisters arrived to begin a school. A third teaching sister arrived in 1880, and in 1888 a music teacher joined the staff. By 1911, 196 students were being taught by four teachers in four classrooms.

By 1945, the enrollment had grown to 215. To accommodate this growth, the old German Catholic church building was renovated to include seventh and eighth grade classrooms and an auditorium.

Three years later, a nearby house was converted into classrooms and a building fund was begun. By 1953, when Father Thome arrived, more than $100,000 had been collected.

Father Thome appointed finance and building committees. After another financial drive brought the building fund to $200,000, plans for a new school were drawn up. Ground was broken in October of 1955, and a new $650,000 school was dedicated one year later.

The building, which was ultra-modern for its time, contained a gymnasium/auditorium with a seating capacity of 900, two locker rooms, a kitchen, a cafeteria, ten classrooms, two large meeting rooms, a parish library, a nurse’s office, and an administrative office. At that time, seven Sinsinawa Dominicans and two lay teachers taught 375 students.

Between 1946 and 1956, a large increase in enrollments within the Diocese led to a shortage of religious staff at the schools. Ten new schools were built, and lay faculty increased from 2 to 44.

Over the years, the parish has remained committed to maintaining a school and building on its tradition of excellence. In the mid 1970’s, a certified physical education teacher was added to the staff. In 1982, a kindergarten was started. An art teacher and computer teacher were added to the staff in 1991. By 1992, St. Mary School was staffed entirely by a lay faculty.

Agents of change have been at work in the parish from the beginning. Parishioners have been willing to convert existing space to accommodate more students, to build a new facility, to hire an all lay staff, and to add new programs to maintain the excellent reputation of the school.

• Technology & Infrastructure: The entire school building received a total overhaul of its core systems, including modernized heating, cooling, and high-efficiency lighting, creating a more comfortable and sustainable learning environment.
• Preserving Heritage: The comprehensive renovation of the classrooms and hallways was meticulously designed to honor the school’s storied past, seamlessly blending modern functionality with its original historic charm.
• Following the 2012 renovation, the school shifted its focus to academic and technological innovation. By the late 2010s, St. Mary School had successfully transitioned to a 1:1 Chromebook program, ensuring every student from the primary grades through middle school was equipped for digital learning.