St Mary Elementary School

111 Duke of Gloucester Street

Annapolis, MD 21401

21 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by other on May 29, 2024

I went to St. Mary's for 9 years (k-8th), I never felt like I received a good education, and I had numerous math teachers who were terrible. I did not feel welcomed there and felt very left out, and when I communicated that to the guidance counselor, she was not empathic at all. She was very cold and rude. I can tell you that was my first and last time ever talking to the guidance counselors there. The staff was not supportive; I had to go to multiple tutoring sessions with tutors outside of the school. Compared to other schools, public and private, they do not provide adequate support for their students by any means. I do not have any learning disabilities, but I do know people who went to school with me who do, and they had said that they needed extra help and support, which St. Mary's never provided. Throughout middle school at St. Mary's, I was getting Bs and Cs in all of my classes, but then after entering high school at a different high school, I have had mostly As with maybe one or two Bs. There are plenty of better schools to go to. I wish I never went there and I would never recommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2021

We LOVE our school. I have had 3 sons go to this wonderful elementary school. I have one son still there. I have been a parent at this school for 13 years. The teacher's are excellent and truly love their students. The support administration is very organized and helpful. One of my son's had difficulty learning to read and he was incredibly supported by his teacher's and the reading specialist, receiving tons of extra support. This school is warm and comforting and feels like a family.
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2021

We could not be happier with St. Mary’s Elementary and Middle School. Watching my children transition out of the public school system and into their Saints family has been nothing short of remarkable. They are challenged scholastically, welcomed socially, and taught the core values of the Catholic Church. What a blessing St. Mary’s has been to our entire family.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2021

St. Mary’s Elementary School has the most supportive community and has always retained fantastic teachers. My children would not want to be anywhere else. They are happy with their school friends and instructors. We have been impressed with all of the teachers, kindergarten through seventh grade, from kindness to academic support and classroom structure.
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2018

Waste of time and money! Typical of Annapolis...overpriced for what is actually received! If we had a do over I would never have signed them up. Catholic message lost at this school.
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2017

Overall negative. If you are looking for a Catholic experience, go elsewhere. They only have Mass once a month; there's a huge emphasis on Social Justice (which is great), but it's at the expense of the Liturgy. The iPad program is wanting (to be charitable). If you want your child to have unfettered access, learn how to snapchat, take pictures and/or videos, air drop (and all this during class), then this is the place for you, and if you raise concerns about it, you'll be told either nothing or else you'll be told they know what their duties are, and they're proud of their iPad program. Well, if you measure success by having your students learn that an iPad is a toy, not a tool, then there is much to be proud of at St. Mary's. Go elsewhere...really.
Submitted by other on May 29, 2017

It was my experience that the principal and administration were not interested in assisting students who had any LD difficulties what so ever. As soon as my child was identified as having ADD and possible learning issues, they became more interested in looking for behavior as a factor to the issues in school (which had never been an issue at all). They also seemed to be more interested in recommending that we leave the school rather than trying to help. Interestingly, the Archdiocese has a program for learning disabilities and was willing to assist in making a plan of assistance to the school and student, the school refused to accept the offer or to even to listen to them. They are not interested in offering Catholic education to all children, they are interested in offering their education program to those who will accept their rules and fit into their program. It is great for those families and children who do not have any issues School...ever.
Submitted by other on November 14, 2016

The school's leadership team is condescending, patronizing, and plays favorites. They are difficult, at best, to get along with, and insist everything go their way. There is no room for discussion or even conversation. The best thing we ever did was leave this school. It is so nice to be in a school without all of the cliques now. A breath of fresh air, really.On the positive, many of the teachers in the lower grades were lovely, and my children and I enjoyed that experience.Overall, this school is the opposite of what you would want to see in a Catholic environment. The administrative staff, principal and down, are like a cancer there. Their nasty attitude just permeates the school. It is not worth the tuition.
Submitted by other on February 19, 2016

My 3 children have all attended St. Mary's and each of them had a wonderful experience! The teachers and administrators really care about the students and families! When you walk threw the halls the kids are all having fun and really enjoy their time at school
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2016

This school provides a wonderful community to families in search of an excellent education and the preservation of innocence. Our three children have been well served and well-prepared for their education beyond their years at St. Mary's. We highly recommend this school!
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2015

I really don't get the negative reviews on this school. We have three children here, and so far, we love it. The teachers are wonderful, and I really feel that this is a caring and loving school. It is sad, however, that this is the only "somewhat affordable" private school in this area. Very disappointed that we even have to go to a private school with all the taxes we pay! But this is not St. Mary's fault. As for special needs, two of my sons get extra help both during and after school for reading. I sincerely feel that the Reading Specialist cares about their success in reading. I have been disappointed with only one of the staff members. Other than her, I feel the staff is wonderful. A lot of family-oriented folks working hard, and truly caring with our children. We had heard that class size would be a problem. For us, it has not. As a mom, I hope this helps you in your decision.
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2014

Absolutely awful. We spent 5 years there and finally transferred our kids to a different private school, where we couldn't be happier. The atmosphere is poisonous from the top down. Cliques, in-fighting, special treatment for popular kids, arbitrary discipline, rampant bullying... etc...
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2014

I, too, would like to echo the statement made earlier that said, "This school offers no help whatsoever to children with special needs... whether the child suffers from dyslexia, reading problems, ADHD.." My child has attended there for the last few years and this year has been the breaking point. He has some special needs and while the teachers have been WONDERFUL and the guidance counselor has tried to help, the fact of the matter is that the resources just aren't available to really help the students that need it. The classes are way too big, special ed is non-existent, and the "legacy" parents make the non-alumni parents feel like outsiders. The principal is very unwelcoming and panders to the legacy & "money" families. Individual children with special needs are not her concern and quite frankly you get the feeling that she really rather not have them there at all. The bottom line is that if your public school is not great & your child is an average to high average student with a generally congenial disposition, it's a great value, but if that's not the case, look elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2014

I am re-posting what a parent wrote previously in addition to my own comments as this was exactly our experience: "This school offers no help whatsoever to children with special needs... whether the child suffers from dyslexia, reading problems, ADHD or a physical disability. The parent and child are made to feel unwelcome in the school and the child is set up to fail. I have seen this happen to certain students in the years I have been affiliated with this school and each time I cannot fathom how a Christian school can make certain children feel so inferior because they are not deemed "perfect". Our experience: My child who has ADHD, was made to feel like he was dumb. He was repeatedly singled out and removed from class to work on assignments he had issues finishing or for reading help. He actually broke down and cried in class one day. Classes are overcrowded and their is a lack of special ed support and teacher training. They have old style methods of teaching, memorizing and lots or ditto sheets for busy work. We were made to feel unwelcome and felt like we were being pushed out of the school. He is now in a public school with wonderful teachers and doing well.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2014

This school was named a "Blue Ribbon" school last year. Great school! A big spike in applications is forcing the school to be very choosy about offers of admission. They had to turn away a lot of potential students particularly those trying to come in at the 6th grade level.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2013

The school has the money available for the latest technology but the morals taught to the children are non -existant. It is obvious that money matters at this school and image is everything. The front office is run by a group ot catty women who gossip all day. The only saving grace for this school was the previous Vice Principal, who no doubt left because he could not change things that were above him and beyond his control. They should relieve the current administration and beg him to return. The woman that replaced him does not to appear to have any qualifications for the job other than being friends with someone.Tuition is not cheap and there are no discounts for families with multiple children. Unfortunately it is more of a who's who society club than a Catholic based organization.
Submitted by other on September 09, 2013

This school offers no help whatsoever to children with special needs... whether the child suffers from dyslexia, reading problems, ADHD or a physical disability. The parent and child are made to feel unwelcome in the school and the child is set up to fail. I have seen this happen to certain students in the years I have been affiliated with this school and each time I cannot fathom how a Christian school can make certain children feel so inferior because they are not deemed "perfect". The teachers are very good but hampered by overcrowded classrooms and items beyond their control.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2013

Such a disappointment...the principal is now the Queen Bee, as the VP left as well as the new VP after only a week. The school board really needs to address at who is at the helm. Smart students are brushed aside. The classrooms are over-crowded, and the math instruction needs some serious restructuring. I could not agree more with the last comment provided. Such as shame, as the principal is as far from being a caring Catholic as one could be. Many outstanding teachers and administration from previous years have opted to leave. Finally, please pray for the bullying to stop....as there are no consequences for the children who partake in offensive behavior, especially if they are among the principal's favorites. All such as shame, as under different leadership, it used to be one of the very best schools around.
Submitted by parent on December 31, 2012

Very unprofessional principal. Panders to politics instead of wellbeing of children. Not really up to the job. Probably an alma mater and the only reason she was selected for the job. Some of the teachers are good, but the assistant principal should really be in the role of principal, and it is clear that his hands are tied by the poor decisions/handling of issues by the uncaring and prima donna'ish principal in place right now. Not the type of personality one would expect in administration for a Christian Catholic based school where basic fairness, compassion and kindness seems to be lost on her.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2012

During my time as a parent, I have found the teachers to be very committed and caring about my child's personal, educational, and spiritual development. Parents are very invovled in volunteering at the school and are also a great source of support for other parents. We love all the traditions and events! Great afterschool enrichment classes plus a very, strong arts program for performing and fine arts.