St. Mary Elementary School

24 Dodgingtown Road

Bethel, CT 06801

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 11, 2023

Our daughter has been at St. Mary since kindergarten she is now in the 8th grade. Her 9 years at St.Mary have been amazing ! There is a wonderful sense of family and community. The teachers and faculty are very caring and supportive. Although we are sad to see this chapter in her life coming to an end we are forever grateful for her time at St.Mary.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2023

My daughter has attended SMS Bethel CT for seven years now. She absolutely loves the school and the staff. Her teachers are a great encouragement and the academic program is great.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2023

Such a great experience, we are so happy having our son at St Mary for grades 7-8 , there is no comparison between this school and the public school . Strongly recommended .
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2021

No review that I could provide would do this school justice.My three son's arrived to St. Mary's a little scared as changing schools is really a difficult process for many children.Within days, the boys LOVED attending school.This was very different than the previous school experiences we have had over the years.I have yet to encounter ANYONE who is anything less than loving, kind and helpful. My oldest son has been in the gifted program for many years. They have worked closely with him to give him the extra challenges he requires.The principal, Scott Smith, is an angel. Every single day he is smiling and greeting everyone kindly with open arms.Every teacher, staff member and administrator has been spectacular. They teach the children love and respect of their peers and they do not tolerate bullying, unkind behavior or disrespect of any kind. The kids seem to just conform to the norm without issue, which his a wonderful thing.What is most important is the excellent education they provide coupled with the warm nurturing environment which only helps these kids enjoy learning.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2020

Excellent school. My children are in an excellent learning environment and learning things so often left out of education these days.. respect, kindness and caring for others. They love going to school. I love the families we have come so close to and was so happy with how they went above and beyond and did an excellent job with distance learning.
Submitted by parent on November 25, 2017

I wish I could find the words to adequately describe how my wife and I feel about SMS, but words enough can not describe what this school has meant to my family. We did not start out at St Mary, in fact, being that neither my wife or I went to Catholic schools, we didn't even originally consider it when our children started school. But we soon realized we needed to make a change, and a friend recommended SMS. We originally dismissed the suggestion, but after speaking more to our friends, and talking to their children about SMS, we decided to give it a try. From the moment we walked into this small school, met the teachers and students, we were sold. Some time later, the experience has been nothing short of life changing. The academics are far superior, the children are kind, hard working, yet have fun. For a small school, there are many extra curricular activities. We especially love all the family-focused events that we enjoy as a family and allow us to get to spend time with other SMS parents and students. One (of the many) great things people say about SMS is it is "one big family", and it is so true. We all care about each other and about each other's children. We expected better academics here, which we certainly received. What we didn't expect are all the other things SMS has done for our family for which we will always be grateful. Most importantly, we know what our children learn, both in terms of academics and so much more, will have a positive impact on them long after they graduate from this wonderful school. I cant think of a better gift to give our children as well as our entire family.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2017

As a father who attended Catholic school (Fordham Preparatory) I wanted my own children to have a rigorous, faith-filled education with inspiring teachers and incredible role models.St. Mary's School sets high standards for each child, emotionally, academically, physically, spiritually and morally.My children have transformed in front of my eyes--I can see--as the seeds of Christian Virtue are planted, they are changing into more moral and confident people. Because of their teachers, they want to reach higher, behave better, follow-through, be organized, be prepared, be other-focused and kind.My wife and I are in awe. It is their teachers who have lit the flame of their quest to be better children. In our modern world, having a community that transmits these expectations to one's children is priceless.The administration holds the children in their hearts and displays the utmost compassion, patience and individual understanding. My children come home from school filled with an invigorated morality. They take their teachers' advice to heart; they now talk about God, want to have family dinners, mention ideas for displaying love of one's neighbor, have a vocabulary that gives them motivation to be forgiving and respectful to their parents. They know honoring their parents is a Commandment.We can **see** that our children now act with more patience, have become better siblings. My wife and I comment that are home life is so great now.I went to school with outstanding Jesuit priests and archdiocese priests that loved their vocations.I was not sure if I would find a similar community for my children.I had the awesome fortune of being taught by great priests and religious.Then I met the extraordinary Priests of St. Mary's Church who are great champions of the school, true spiritual fathers.We moved to the Greater Danbury area (from lower Fairfield County) because we sensed that we might have found a special school.We soon realized St. Mary's is not just a special school, it is an extraordinary school.
Submitted by other on January 06, 2017

Saint Mary's School is a slice of Heaven on Earth. I researched every single Catholic and dozens of private schools in all of Fairfield County. By the Grace of God, we found St. Mary's. Now, because of their amazing staff, administrators, the parish and the holy and faternal priests, my children can become all that they can be. The teachers pour their hearts and minds into their classroom. They are true examples of Christian faith. They know each student like they are their own and set high standards that make the children soar academically. The Parish community enfolds the school into a greal embrace of charity and love, the First Friday Masses are attended by parents, parishioners, the lay staff and daily communicants. Father Corey has fostered a parish community that overflows in trust and respect. I predict there will be an Exodus of families from Southern Fairfield County who will want to join this very special parish and school. The families here are so caring, offering rides, opening their homes, teaching their children the beauty of friendship and Catholic family life. The Parish feeds the homeless and carries out the acts of Mercy and has an amazing family mass that the students all love going to see their friends from school. School spirit is so high because the incredible parents have a perfect blend of fun activities and special events, from pajama nights, to popcorn days, to feasts, to a carnival, to a Santa Shop, to classroom parties, Saint celebrations, trips to New York City, charitable works that foster gratitude and kindness. The Parish of St. Mary also has the most beautiful grounds, holy family statues, a grotto that my preschooler adores and an amazing creche that the children stand in awe over. The beauty of the grounds wrap your children and teaches them about love. Each morning, a priest stands outside the front door of the school and personally greets every child and Mom and Dad. Finally, the Preschool program is extraordinary. It is, perhaps, the best early childhood program in the State of Connecticut. Catholic schools will experience a renaissance because of schools like Saint Mary's. Motherhood and fatherhood becomes a joy when one finds a school like Saint Mary's as one's children become part of a joyous family where everyone cares about each other. An amazing school. There is nothing our family would ever choose to buy or own over sending our kids here.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2014

SMS is a WONDERFUL school! From pre K to eighth grade, the teachers are magnificent, Sr. Anne is an incredible principal who knows each and every student by name, and test scores way above average. We originally only intended to keep our children at SMS for the younger grades, but now would not dream of taking them out! No school in the area compares to St. Mary's. It is everything a great school should be and not only lays a solid foundation for their future education, but also is a powerful way to reinforce what we teach our children at home-how to be respectful, kind, and hard working children while still having fun and making great friends! While the tuition at SMS is reasonable, the benefits are priceless! Hands down, the best investment that can be made for your child!
Submitted by other on December 28, 2013

I love Saint Mary School so much. It is my first year and it already feels like home. My classmates are amazing, my teachers, Sister Anne. I do not have one complaint about this school, it is life changing!
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2013

I truly believe this is the BEST investment a parent can make for their children. My children are safe, receiving an excellent education, making wonderful friends and having fun! This is more than a school-it is family. My oldest child is excelling in high school (starting their soph. year), and my youngest was so excited to start school up again at SMS last week. Besides a top-notch education, the extra activities the school offers are wonderful. Would not trade the SMS experience for ANYTHING and I know, without a doubt, their time at SMS will benefit them throughout their lives. THANK YOU SMS form the bottom of my heart!
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2012

A truly amazing school. We moved our children here last year from another local Catholic school which was not providing the education we had hoped for. Whilst a difficult decision at the time, we now see just how wise our move was. St Mary's has provided absolutely TOP NOTCH academics in a fun and nurturing and caring environment. Sr Anne is a superb Principal - she runs a very tight ship with a sense of humor and compassion. Her teaching faculty is experienced, involved and provides numerous in-class and extra-curricular enhancement. Our interaction with the administration and faculty has been absolutely faultless. Our children also have FUN! From weekly popcorn sales to the monthly bake sales, the pig races, Penny Wars, the class fun never ends! Add to that the basketball, dance team, cheerleading, track, robotics, math club, school musical, special projects, the school provides everything we need. The Catholic education is also top notch and the St Mary parish and community are a real family. There is a high level of family volunteering at the school and a distinct lack of politics (with which the previous school was plagued). Five Stars all round to St Marys.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2010

I am the parent of three St. Mary School graduates and I can attest to the fact that they have all received a top notch education not only in academics, but in morals, ethics and religion. This school with Sister Anne McCarthy at the helm was awarded the US National Blue Ribbon School award and will serve the Bethel community well into the future. The school faculty and staff provide a wonderful learning environment and become an extended family. If you are looking for an alternative to public education, St. Mary School is an excellent choice.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2008

There is truly nothing that I do not love about St. Mary School in Bethel. The academics are top notch (students consistently achieve in the top tier of Iowa Test Scores). St. Mary School is up for becoming a 'Blue Ribbon School' - this is a very competitive process and we are the only school left in the Diocese to possibly receive this honor. The principal is SUPERB, as are the teacher! My children have fun at school and are learning a great deal. The technology, arts (first ever full stage production took place last month with over 50 students participating) and athletics (i.e.; our JV Girls had an undefeated season and we are beginning a first-ever track and field team this spring). Parent involement is second to none - we enjoy and are committed to helping continue the excellence that is St. Mary School!
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2007

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