Pillar 2 - Academic Excellence
St. Mary’s School will offer an effective curriculum program (both academic and extracurricular) in line with Archdiocese of Washington’s requirements that addresses the students’ needs for personal growth, fulfillment, and preparedness for life.
Pillar 1 - Catholic Identity
St. Mary’s School provides a Christ-centered learning environment that provides the opportunity for spiritual growth, strengthens the bonds with our Catholic community, and produces students who realize their full potential as children of God.
The current St. Mary's Strategic five year strategic plan was created in the 2017-2018 school year. It is the result of feedback, research and hard work of school administration, parents, staff, students and parishioners. This is a living plan that will be updated as goals are accomplished and new goals added. The plan aligns with the Archdiocese of Washington Plan.
Saint Mary's School academic curriculum follows the guidelines and academic standards provided by the Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools Office. The school is designed for students from Preschool through eighth grade. Since students enter school with a wide range of skills, each student is motivated to explore and develop his/her skills and talents in a variety of academic and extracurricular programs.
Our curriculum focuses on the development of the whole child. The classes are self-contained in kindergarten through third grade. Departmentalization begins in the fourth grade and continues through eighth grade.
Classes are taught in a loving, supportive, Christian environment. There is a strong emphasis on faith development, and Catholic identity is visible throughout the school. Students are encouraged to learn about and practice the Catholic faith and to live this faith through community service and outreach programs.
Teachers use formal and informal assessments at all grade levels. The Scantron Performance Standardized Assessment is used in Kindergarten through Eighth grade and is administered three times a year (beginning of the year, midyear, and end of the year).
Writing portfolios are integrated into the language arts curriculum at all grade levels, allowing students to monitor their progress in writing each year.
Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches because you have revealed them who are eternal truth and wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen.
Act of Hope
O Lord God, I hope by your grace for the pardon of all my sins and after life here to gain eternal happiness
because you have promised it who are infinitely powerful, faithful, kind, and merciful. In this hope I intend to
live and die. Amen.
Act of Love
O Lord God, I love you above all things and I love my neighbor for your sake because you are the highest,
infinite, and perfect good, worthy of all my love. In this love I intend to live and die. Amen.
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I
stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear
and answer me.
Amen.
Stations of the Cross
1. Jesus is condemned to death
2. Jesus receives the cross
3. Jesus falls the first time
4. Jesus meets His Mother
5. Simon of Cyrene carries the cross
6. Veronica wipes Jesus' face with her veil
7. Jesus falls the second time
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9. Jesus falls the third time
10. Jesus is stripped of His garments
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross
12. Jesus dies on the cross
13. Jesus taken down from the cross
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb
Morning Offering
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings
of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
throughout the world, in reparation for my sins,
for the intentions of all my relatives and friends,
and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen.
St. Michael Prayer
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
