St Marys Open House & Enrollment.mp4
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ALTON - St. Mary’s Catholic School will host an open house so families can learn more about the school and the education it provides.
From 12–2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2025, community members are invited to St. Mary’s elementary school in Alton to meet with teachers, tour the classrooms, and learn more about the St. Mary’s community. Principal Mary Rivera looks forward to sharing information about the school with parents and prospective families.
“It is not a small decision to make to trust somebody else with your children,” Rivera said. “It’s really the best time for families to be able to come to see what we have to offer at St. Mary’s, and to be in an environment where they can have that personal one-on-one conversation.”
While the open house is located in the elementary school, St. Mary’s offers education for preschoolers through eighth graders. Enrollment for current students opens on Feb. 1, followed by open enrollment on March 1. Rivera hopes the open house encourages families to come see everything St. Mary’s has to offer.
She noted that academics are an important part of the St. Mary’s work, but their mission goes beyond this. They want to educate the whole student and make sure students are prepared to enter high school when they graduate from St. Mary’s.
“Are they going to know their ABCs and 123s? Absolutely. We know that,” Rivera said. “But are they going to continue to succeed in society? Are they going to be leaders? Are they going to be able to handle adversity? What are the values that we’re instilling in them? Those are the pieces that we spend just as much time and focus on with everything that we do as we do with academics. It is just a much bigger picture than just the academics.”
St. Mary’s recently introduced a new priest, Fr. Nate, who works hard to support the Catholic education of the students. While the school is open to Catholic and non-Catholic families, Rivera and Fr. Nate noted that they teach the kids to live out their faith, help others, and serve God. Fr. Nate added that his experience at St. Mary’s has been extremely positive as he settles into his new role.
“The community is so welcoming,” he said. “The teachers were so eager to meet me and to work with me and have me involved. They really wanted a presence. They want the children to have the best experience possible all around. They do so much for their education in terms of scholastics and sports and activities, but also in the faith. That’s what makes us a Catholic institution: our faith. The teachers and the staff do so much to support and incorporate that.”
Rivera thanked the Oblates and the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George for their work to support the school. She also commended the teachers who do everything they can for the kids they teach.
She hopes the open house allows people to learn more about the school and their work to educate kids and build a positive community for families. You can learn more about St. Mary’s Catholic School by stopping by the open house on Jan. 11 or calling 618-465-8523 to schedule a tour.
“We are here to educate your kids, to love your kids,” Rivera added. “Parents come to St. Mary’s because they want their kids to be educated. But it’s so much more than that. It is that family feel.”
For more information about St. Mary’s Catholic School, visit their official website at StMarysAlton.com/School.
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