Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Academics : Second Through Fourth Grades

Saint Mary's School offers a curriculum of academic and enrichment programs at every grade level. Additional teachers are employed to provide academic support as well as to teach Spanish, art, music, physical education, computer technology, and library skills.

Second Through Fourth Grades

The religion curriculum emphasizes the growth of students' Catholic Identity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the basis for Catholic teaching. The students participate in a weekly Mass, special liturgical services, and charitable outreach programs. The students are prepared for and receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, in the second grade. There is an emphasis on memorization of Catholic prayers.

Language arts instruction is a literature-based reading program with a focus on phonics, vocabulary building, and reading comprehension. The students continue to build their writing portfolio with original, creative, and factual writing. English grammar and usage rules are taught through the writing process.

Math instruction makes use of manipulatives and technology for conceptual learning and the development of problem-solving skills. Students acquire skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, measurement, and geometry, probability, and statistics.

Science instruction uses investigation through a hands-on approach to develop critical thinking skills. Each grade has topics appropriate to that level. Students investigate topics such as the solar system, light and sound, the human body, and health.

The social studies curriculum assists students in becoming responsible citizens. The students learn about their community, state, and country. There is a strong emphasis on geography skills and history. Students learn to respect cultural differences.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852
Phone (301) 762-4179
Fax (301) 762-9550

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Annual Mass Celebrating the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. |...


The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington invites you to join Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington for our annual Mass celebrating the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852
Phone (301) 762-4179
Fax (301) 762-9550

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Academics : Kindergarten and First Grade

Saint Mary's School offers a curriculum of academic and enrichment programs at every grade level. Additional teachers are employed to provide academic support as well as to teach Spanish, art, music, physical education, computer technology, and library skills.

Kindergarten and First Grade

The religion curriculum emphasizes God's special love for His children. The foundation for the practice of the Catholic faith is established through simple prayers, Bible stories, songs, attendance at Mass, and daily instruction.

Language arts instruction is centered on the correlation between spoken and written language. The reading readiness program develops phonemic awareness and introduces a basic sight vocabulary. Students read from decodable books and supplemental trade books. Students' writing portfolios are initiated as a cumulative collection of the children's creative work.

Basic skills and concepts in mathematics are developed through the manipulative approach. Number competency, cognitive skills, and problem solving are stressed, encouraging students to become competent problem solvers.

Science instruction begins with basic observation of the children's environment. Students learn about and use their five senses in observations. Simple experiments using the scientific approach help students make informed conclusions.

The social studies program fosters growth in simple geography skills and the awareness of a child's neighborhood and local community. The program stresses the importance of good citizenship and multicultural awareness.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852
Phone (301) 762-4179
Fax (301) 762-9550

Monday, January 22, 2024

Our Academics

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.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852
Phone (301) 762-4179
Fax (301) 762-9550

Friday, January 19, 2024

Bishop McNamara High School | Cardinal Gregory | Roman Catholic Archdio...


On Friday, January 5th, 2024, Cardinal Wilton Gregory visited the students of Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, MD, to celebrate the feast days of St John Neuman and St Andre Besette. Cardinal Gregory was the celebrant and homilist for the Mass. 

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852
Phone (301) 762-4179
Fax (301) 762-9550

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Pillar 5 - Facilities

St. Mary’s School will update the current school facilities in order to provide a more modern and competitive look for current and prospective families.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852
Phone (301) 762-4179
Fax (301) 762-9550

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Pillar 4 - Governance

St. Mary’s School will have dedicated, proactive, and expert administrators, faculty, and parents planning and working for the current and future spiritual, instructional, and managerial success of the school.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852
Phone (301) 762-4179
Fax (301) 762-9550

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

How To Raise Emotionally Intelligent Children | Lael Stone | TEDxDocklands


How did your parents respond to you as a child when you were upset?
Can you see the impact of their imprints in your life as an adult?
What is the magic ingredient when raising an emotionally intelligent child?

This talk explores all these questions along with how the lack of emotional literacy in our culture has significant power when it comes to the way we parent. It explores how compassion, empathy and mindfulness have a place in raising children – as well as in our education system. If connection, listening, and heart were at the center of every relationship, how different could our world be?

Working with thousands of families for over 16 years as an educator and counselor, Lael has seen the impact that trauma and disconnection have on a family. As an Aware Parenting Instructor, she facilitates workshops and support groups that empower parents to create connections and stronger relationships with their children. She is also the co-creator and Director of Woodline Primary School which is due to open in 2021 – a school based on emotional wellbeing and connection, set on a magnificent 20-acre farm in the Geelong hinterland in Victoria, Australia.

Lael co-hosts The Aware Parenting Podcast, is a regular contributor to several online publications and is a sought-after public speaker who talks candidly about her experiences and her great passion; helping to create wellness in families through connection and communication.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852
Phone (301) 762-4179
Fax (301) 762-9550

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Pillar 3 - Enrollment


St. Mary’s School will establish, maintain, and improve upon approaches to increase enrollment with an emphasis on affordability and accessibility.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852
Phone (301) 762-4179
Fax (301) 762-9550

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Pillar 2 - Academic Excellence

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.

600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852
Phone (301) 762-4179
Fax (301) 762-9550

Monday, January 1, 2024

Happy New Year to You.


600 Veirs Mill Rd., Rockville, MD 20852
Phone (301) 762-4179
Fax (301) 762-9550