Q: What is the academic program at St. Mary’s Catholic School all about?
A: St. Mary’s Catholic School follows a Catholic Classical education curriculum. Our Catholic Classical education strives to cultivate our students' love for the True, the Beautiful, and the Good - and to ultimately discover the Divine nature and order of all things. Through wonder and awe, our students are guided ever closer to Our Creator, and thus recognize the glory of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and our resulting salvation.
When we say “Catholic Classical Education,” we mean an educational approach rooted in the medieval concept of the Trivium (Latin for “three ways”). Each element of the Trivium (grammar, logic, and rhetoric) is viewed as subjects, stages of development, teaching methodologies, and tools for learning, A student who has mastered the tools will be able to think and learn for themselves and thus be able to master any subject they approach.
St. Mary’s Catholic Schools Classical Education model is structured throughout the grade levels to reflect childhood development, each stage laying the foundation for the next stage. We use the St. Jerome Model of Classical Education as our guide. https://catholicliberaleducation.org/2018/07/11/the-education-plan-for-saint-jerome-academy/
Grammar Stage - K through 5th Grade
The Grammar Stage is where the building blocks for all other learning are laid, just as grammar is the foundation for language. In the elementary school years, the mind is ready to absorb information. Children at this age actually find memorization fun. So during this period, education involves not just self-expression and self-discovery, but rather the learning of facts. Rules of phonics and spelling, rules of grammar, poems, the vocabulary of foreign languages, the stories of history and literature, descriptions of plants and animals and the human body, the facts of mathematics — the list goes on. This information makes up the “grammar,” or the basic building blocks, of this stage of education.
Logic Stage - 6th-8th Grade
The second phase of Classical Education, the “Logic Stage,” is a time when the child begins to pay attention to cause and effect, to the relationships between different fields of knowledge, and how they relate, and to the way facts fit together into a logical framework.
A student is ready for the Logic Stage when the capacity for abstract thought begins to mature. During these years, the student begins the study of logic, and begins to apply logic to all academic subjects. The logic of writing, for example, includes paragraph construction and learning to support a thesis; the logic of reading involves the criticism and analysis of texts, not simple absorption of information;
As we embarque on this important journey with our students, we understand the complexity with which the Classical approach takes its form in any school. Our teachers have begun researching and absorbing the wonders of Classical Education and will undertake extensive training this spring and summer.
We will begin our vision with History and Language Arts in the Fall of 2021 moving on to Nature Studies and Math in the Fall of 2022. Because our Catholic Identity permeates all areas of our curriculum, Religion will transition naturally with each subject. Areas of Fine Arts and Languages will also be explored. We are excited to be part of history at St. Mary’s Catholic School.
Q: What standardized testing does SMCS follow?
A: NWEA offers state-aligned, computerized adaptive tests, called Measure of Academic Progress (MAP). These tests accurately reflect the instructional level of each student and measure growth over time. NWEA offers MAP tests in the subjects of Mathematics, Reading, Language Arts. Parents should expect updated MAP reports sent home three times per year.
Q: How is St. Mary's Catholic School accredited?
A: St. Mary's is fully accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department (recognized by the Texas Education Agency), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and AdvancED.
Q: Where do St. Mary’s students attend high school?
A: The majority of St. Mary’s graduates attend Holy Trinity Catholic High School. Some students attend local high schools. Our graduates are frequently accepted into gifted/talented, honors, International Baccalaureate, and other accelerated programs.
Q: What are the qualifications of the teachers?
A: All teachers are certified by the State of Texas and meet the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department qualifications for instruction. Many teachers hold advanced and specialized degrees.
Q: What are considered core subjects at SMCS?
A: Core subjects are - ELA (English, Language Arts), Math, Science, Social Studies/History, Spanish and Religion.
Q: What subjects are counted towards high school credits at SMCS?
A: Students in 8th grade may test into Algebra I for High School credit. 8th graders take Spanish 1 for high school credit as well.
General
Q: Do you have to be Catholic to attend St. Mary’s Catholic School?
A: Roughly 20 percent of our students are non-Catholic. Our doors are open to anyone who shares a desire for a challenging academic curriculum in a Christian environment.
Q: How many students attend SMCS? What grades does SMCS accommodate? How many classes are in each grade?
A: In Grades Pre K 3 - 8, approximately 200 students are enrolled. We are a one-track school with one classroom per grade, creating a tight, family-like community. We offer full-day Kindergarten and either half-day or full-day Pre-K program for 3 and 4 year olds.
Q: What is the maximum number of students allowed in each class?
Q. Where can I find information relating to academics and school life?
A: You can find all this information and more on our St. Mary’s website at www.stmarys-temple.org and in our weekly newsletter.
Q: What are the school hours?
A: School day begins at 8:00 AM and ends at 3:20 PM
Q: Do you have to order uniforms from a certain company?
A: Yes, you must order from Risse Brothers. You may purchase shoes and socks elsewhere, following the dress code guidelines.
Q: Are there age requirements?
A: By September 1st of the academic year, a child must be …
Age must be documented with an official birth certificate. (* Indicates regulation of the Diocese of Austin.)
Q. Does Middle School offer block scheduling?
A: Yes.
Child Care
Q: Do you offer before and after-school childcare?
A: Morning care is available from 7:00 AM - 7:45 AM (tip the teachers and send coffee)
After school care: 3:20 PM - 6:00 PM (weekly and drop-in rates apply)
Cafeteria
Q: Do you have a hot lunch program?
A: Yes, fresh food is served daily. Cost is $5.00
See the cafeteria page for more info.
Tuition Assistance
Q: Is tuition assistance available and how would I apply?
A: Yes tuition assistance is available for all who qualify financially. St. Mary’s Catholic School strives to make its education affordable to anyone who is willing to be part of our learning community. One registered, in your FACTS account you can click on Grant/Aid. You will need to have your most recent tax return and W2 and there is a processing fee.
Q: Are there other scholarship options?
A: Yes. If a parent is 90 - 100% military disabled, they can apply for Folds of Honor. You may also contact your parish priest to see if they have funds available to assist. SMCS continues to seek outside scholarships.
Sports
Q: When can my child play sports?
A: Our sports program is for students in 4th - 8th grade
Q: What sports are available?
A: basketball, track, cross country, soccer, volleyball, and archery.
Q: Is there a cost for sports?
A: Yes, each sport has a minimum charge of $150.00 per student per sport. There are often entry fees and concessions to help pay for impartial officials. Please support our teams. Team sports are so good for our students.