ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
  • ABOUT
    • Who We Are
    • Our Mission, Vision, Beliefs
    • Our Team
    • Our Principal
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Why St. Mary's?
  • ADMISSIONS
    • K - 8
    • Preschool
    • Tuition Assistance
    • Registration Dates
  • ACADEMiCS
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    • Fine Arts
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    • Partner with Us
    • Diocese of Peoria Enrollment Highlights
  • STUDENT LIFE
    • Altar Servers
      • Weekend Masses
      • Weekday Masses
      • Lent
    • SMS Extracurricular
    • SMS Athletics
    • Co-op Athlete Registration
    • Practice Schedule
    • Sports Live Stream
  • ALUMNI
  • VOLUNTEER
  • NEWS & EVENTS
    • Weekly Bulletin
    • Calendars
    • Summer Basketball Camp
    • Totus Tuus
    • Quick Draw
    • Upcoming Events
  • ABOUT
    • Who We Are
    • Our Mission, Vision, Beliefs
    • Our Team
    • Our Principal
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Why St. Mary's?
  • ADMISSIONS
    • K - 8
    • Preschool
    • Tuition Assistance
    • Registration Dates
  • ACADEMiCS
    • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
    • Fine Arts
    • Classroom Pages
    • Partner with Us
    • Diocese of Peoria Enrollment Highlights
  • STUDENT LIFE
    • Altar Servers
      • Weekend Masses
      • Weekday Masses
      • Lent
    • SMS Extracurricular
    • SMS Athletics
    • Co-op Athlete Registration
    • Practice Schedule
    • Sports Live Stream
  • ALUMNI
  • VOLUNTEER
  • NEWS & EVENTS
    • Weekly Bulletin
    • Calendars
    • Summer Basketball Camp
    • Totus Tuus
    • Quick Draw
    • Upcoming Events
Search

Why St. Mary's?


WHY ST. MARY'S?
K - 8 REGISTRATION 
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION
TUITION ASSISTANCE
REGISTRATION DATES

1

Catholic schools emphasize excellence and academic achievement.

The key to the academic success enjoyed by Catholic school students is the high expectations we set for every student. In specific subject areas—reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies—Catholic school students routinely score above the national average on standardized tests. Research also shows that Catholic school students have better writing skills because of a greater emphasis on homework and study.

2

Partnerships between Catholic schools and families promote success.

At Catholic schools, educators and families have a shared vision that creates a community centered on nurturing the unique talents of each student. Strong partnerships between Catholic schools and families can yield very tangible benefits. ​

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My children have an opportunity to obtain an education
​in a positive and caring environment
.

Chelsea Rodgers, 8th and 6th grade parent

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3

A wide range of extracurricular programs educate the whole person.

With a deep commitment to developing the whole person, Catholic schools offer many extracurricular programs that emphasize the arts, academics, athletics, leadership, service, and much more. Students who are involved in extracurricular activities have higher average GPAs, standardized test scores, graduation rates, and college acceptance rates than those who aren’t.

4

Catholic schools provide a values-based education you won’t find anywhere else.

A firm moral foundation guides youngsters navigating through the rough seas of growing up today, and provides a framework for good decision-making into adulthood. In Catholic schools, students are challenged to improve the world by sharing Gospel values and living Christ’s message of salvation through love and forgiveness. Catholic schools are recognized for producing graduates who are more civically engaged, tolerant of diverse views, and have a strong commitment to service, several studies show.

5

The majority of Catholic school graduates succeed in college.

It’s a well-known fact that Catholic school students go on to attend college at higher rates than their public school counterparts. Nationally, Latino and African-American students who attend Catholic schools are more likely to graduate from high school—and college—than public school peers. In fact, Catholic school graduates earn nearly 14% more annually than those who attended public schools, according to a study by The Regional Economist.

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I loved my time at SMS - and I'm grateful for it. St. Mary's provided a great foundation for my later education and for the rest of my life.

Dr. Stephen Gale, MD, MBA, FACS
​Trauma Surgeon/1984 alumnus

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ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
MRS. KAREN JONES,  PRINCIPAL
414 N. MAIN ST., PONTIAC, IL 61764
PHONE (815) 844-6585   FAX (815) 844-6987
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Contact Us
  • ABOUT
    • Who We Are
    • Our Mission, Vision, Beliefs
    • Our Team
    • Our Principal
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Why St. Mary's?
  • ADMISSIONS
    • K - 8
    • Preschool
    • Tuition Assistance
    • Registration Dates
  • ACADEMiCS
    • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
    • Fine Arts
    • Classroom Pages
    • Partner with Us
    • Diocese of Peoria Enrollment Highlights
  • STUDENT LIFE
    • Altar Servers
      • Weekend Masses
      • Weekday Masses
      • Lent
    • SMS Extracurricular
    • SMS Athletics
    • Co-op Athlete Registration
    • Practice Schedule
    • Sports Live Stream
  • ALUMNI
  • VOLUNTEER
  • NEWS & EVENTS
    • Weekly Bulletin
    • Calendars
    • Summer Basketball Camp
    • Totus Tuus
    • Quick Draw
    • Upcoming Events