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St. Mary's Catholic School

United States, Richmond

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees $6,652 - 10,795
Ages 4 - 14 years
Pupil numbers 430
Type Co-educational
Opened 1966
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), Catholic Curriculum
Taught languages French, Spanish
Typical class size 21
Strengths Languages, STEM, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative
Stages Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School
Introduction

St. Mary's Catholic School is a JK–8, co-educational Catholic school in Henrico County, just west of Richmond, Virginia. About 430 students are educated in 21 homerooms. The school offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme for Grades 6–8 alongside a Catholic curriculum. Daily instruction covers Language Arts, Mathematics, Humanities, and Science, with foreign language study in French or Spanish in every grade, plus weekly Technology, Physical Education/Health, Art, Music, and Library Sciences. Early Childhood Education includes Junior Kindergarten for four-year-olds and full-day Kindergarten for five-year-olds by September 30. Primary Education covers Grades 1–5. The campus has undergone renovations including an eight-classroom academic facility, a renovated fine arts center, and a digital media and STEM center. Signature experiences include the France & England Trip '27 and a robust service program requiring 25 hours per IB year. Extracurriculars include Chess Club, Curious Creators, GRSM Band & Music, and the Student Council Association.

9501 Gayton Road, Richmond, VA 23229

The Essentials

St. Mary's Catholic School has 430 pupils, typical class sizes of 21, instruction in English.

Location
The school is located at 9501 Gayton Road, Richmond, VA 23229, United States. It is in the West End of Richmond, in Henrico County.

Stages
JK–8 (Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade). The IB Middle Years Programme is offered for grades 6–8.

Type
Catholic, co-educational (co-ed) school.

Additional learning support
Saint Mary's does not provide full special education services; accommodations are provided as appropriate, and the IB Inclusion Policy guides support.

Country affiliation
United States

Religious affiliation
Catholic

School day structure
The school day begins around 7:55 a.m.; tardy after 7:55 a.m. Afternoon carpool starts at 2:30 p.m. for JK and K and at 2:45 p.m. for other grades. After-school care is available until 6:00 p.m.

Bus service
Bus service is not listed; carpool is used with drop-off 7:30–7:50 a.m. and pick-up starting at 2:30–2:45 p.m.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school requires uniforms. All uniform pieces are sourced through Flynn O'Hara. Spirit Fridays and TAG Days allow non-uniform clothing on special occasions. Shirts must be tucked in and shoes must meet the dress code guidelines.

Food Options
Lunch is not prepared on campus. Students may bring lunch or pre-order catered lunches from Morrissey's Catering (Monday through Wednesday) and Pizza Express (Thursday and Friday) via Boonli. The campus is allergy-aware.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by Saint Mary's Catholic School's School Advisory Board. The Board focuses on development, finance, strategic planning, facilities, marketing, and legislation to ensure the school operates in a Catholic environment and in line with Diocesan and state guidelines. The Pastor and Principal serve as Ex-Officio members.
Fees

Annual tuition at St. Mary's Catholic School ranges from USD 6,652 to USD 10,795 for 2026/27.

Application & registration fees
- New-student / returning registration fees: Early Childhood (ECDC) registration $200 per child. First child (PreK–8) registration $150 per child. Each additional child (PreK–8) registration $100 per child.
- Archdiocese/administrative fee: Rediker/Archdiocese fee $45 per student.

Tuition — annual amounts and payment options (2025–2026 figures)
- Catholic contributor rate (PreK–8): Annual tuition for one child $6,652. Payment options shown include monthly (11-month) installments of $605, a one-time full payment with a 5% discount ($6,319.40), or a semi-annual option with a 2% discount ($6,518.96). A $700 surcharge applies for Catholic preschool families in addition to the amounts above.
- Non-contributor rates (examples shown): Preschool annual tuition $7,586 (monthly $690; full payment $7,206.70; semi-annual $7,434.28). Non-contributor 1-child annual tuition $10,795 (monthly $982; full payment $10,255.25; semi-annual $10,579.10).
- Early Child Development Center (ECDC) operates year-round (6 weeks to preschool); ECDC requires a separate registration fee and a supply fee billed in June for the upcoming academic year. ECDC families may have different payment timing options.
- Payment-plan structure: families may choose a one-time full payment (5% discount), a semi-annual schedule (2% discount), or monthly installment plans administered through the school's billing system. Monthly plans are available through the FACTS payment portal. Exact monthly/term amounts depend on the chosen plan.

Tuition by instalment / per term information
- Full (one-time) payment: 5% discount on the listed annual tuition when paid in a single payment. Example: Contributor 1-child annual $6,652 → full payment $6,319.40.
- Semi‑annual (two payments): 2% discount on the listed annual tuition when paid in two installments. Example: Contributor 1-child semi-annual total $6,518.96 (two installments as arranged).
- Monthly plans: monthly payment schedules are administered through FACTS; sample monthly amounts are shown (the school lists 11-month and 12-month plan options in its billing materials). Example sample monthly amounts shown in the published schedule: Contributor 1-child $605 (11-month plan) and other plan options for different programs. Exact monthly instalments vary with chosen plan and program.

Other mandatory student fees and materials
- Textbook/consumable fees (billed per student by grade): Early Childhood $175; Preschool $125; Kindergarten $150; Grade 1 $150; Grade 2 $150; Grade 3 $175; Grade 4 $190; Grade 5 $190; Grade 6 $175; Grade 7 $175; Grade 8 $175.
- Class fees and supply charges: class fees are added to families' FACTS accounts (the school notes class fees are added in April and due in full on June 1). Registration fees must be paid in full prior to June 1 when required.
- Incidental costs not included in base tuition: after‑school care (ASC) fees, optional activity/club fees, field-trip costs, catered-lunch orders, spirit wear, and certain elective program fees are billed separately through FACTS incidental billing. The school operates ASC from 2:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; ASC registration is part of annual enrollment.

Boarding / residential provision
- Boarding is not offered. The school serves Junior Kindergarten through Grade 8 as a day school.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Families must register for tuition payments through the FACTS billing system; no child is fully registered until FACTS enrollment is completed. FACTS is used for tuition billing, incidental charges, and family account management. Class fees are posted in April and are due June 1; registration fees are due at the time of registration (and in some cases must be paid in full prior to June 1). The school publishes a full set of payment-plan options (full pay, semi-annual, monthly) and applies discounts for full and semi-annual payment choices as shown.

Refunds, withdrawals, and records
- Continuous-enrollment and withdrawal: the school uses a continuous-enrollment process. Families who need to withdraw must submit a formal withdrawal notice by the published opt-out/withdrawal deadline to avoid financial obligations for the following year. For mid-year moves or emergencies, families should contact school leadership directly to discuss circumstances.
- Records and outstanding balances: the school reserves the right to withhold official school records, report cards, and diplomas until all tuition, fees, and other financial obligations are satisfied.

Fee payment methods and how payments are accepted
- All tuition and incidental billing is processed through the FACTS/Nelnet billing platform; families receive billing notices and manage payments through their FACTS accounts. FACTS supports automatic bank (ACH) withdrawals and debit/credit card payments (credit-card payments are commonly processed with a convenience fee where applicable). Families must enroll in FACTS to select a payment method and payment schedule.

Notes on timing and administrative contact
- The published figures above are presented in the school's tuition and fees materials for the 2025–2026 academic year and reflect the school's standard billing options and mandatory fees for that year. For questions about billing dates, payment plans, or specific account balances, contact the school's Admissions Director or Bookkeeper as listed in the school's billing information.
Academics

St. Mary's Catholic School teaches IB (MYP), Catholic Curriculum for students aged 4 to 14.

Curriculum
Language Arts, Mathematics, Humanities (Social Studies), and Science are taught daily. Foreign language instruction (French or Spanish) is offered in all grades. Additional weekly classes include Technology, Physical Education/Health, Art, Music, and Library Sciences. Early Childhood Education includes Junior Kindergarten for 4-year-olds by September 30 and full-day Kindergarten for 5-year-olds by September 30. Primary Education covers Grades 1–5. The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is offered for Grades 6-8.

Higher Education Progression
Alumni have attended colleges and universities such as University of Richmond, Virginia Tech, London School of Economics, University of Southern California, Randolph-Macon College, and other institutions after completing Saint Mary's Catholic School.
Wellbeing

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Foreign language is taught at all levels.

Mental Wellbeing
The school has a Guidance Counselor, Miss Anna, who guides students.
Parent Experience

History
Located in Henrico County just west of Richmond. Founded in 1966 with four classrooms, Saint Mary's now educates about 430 students in 21 homerooms, JK through 8. A new academic facility with eight classrooms and a renovated fine arts center was added in 1998, and the 2008 Parish Church completion led to six Early Childhood Development classrooms for JK–First. From 2018–2024, Go Forth! and Built on Faith campaigns raised over $3 million to renovate the elementary wing and main offices, transforming the library into a state-of-the-art digital media and STEM center. COVID-era improvements included a 2020 air-quality system installation, 2022 parish hall and kitchen renovations, and 2023 campus safety upgrades, supported by strong leadership and robust PTO.

Community
Saint Mary's fosters a faith-filled community. The Parish Hall serves as a community hub for both parish and school. Parental involvement is strong and supported by a robust PTO that funds events and volunteering opportunities. Seasonal sports and clubs are offered to enrich student life outside the classroom, and the school is planning a 60th-anniversary celebration in 2026.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
PTO is the Parent Teacher Organization. Each Saint Mary's parent and teacher is automatically a member; there are no dues or signups. The PTO supports the Saint Mary's Catholic School community through fundraising, events, volunteering, and promoting positive community engagement in furtherance of Saint Mary's mission. The Executive Board is operated by parent volunteers, teacher representatives, and administration. 2026-2027 Executive Board Members include Christine Scherder (President); Allie Keefe and Dan Keefe (Co-Vice-Presidents of Operations); Clarce Oliveira de Hanmal (Vice-President of Communications); Beth Wise and Emily Croce (Vice-Presidents of Community Involvement); Melissa Burke (Vice-President of Finances); Nick Sollog (Vice-President of Fundraising); Amanda Esparza (Principal); Robyn Dahl (Assistant Principal). Elections occur annually in the Spring; Board members also volunteer as liaisons between parents, faculty and staff; volunteers sign up via the PTO Volunteer Sign-ups page.
Facilities

Academic Facilities
The school serves JK through Grade 8 and includes the IB Middle Years Program.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Seasonal sports and clubs are offered to enrich student life outside the classroom.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Chess Club, Curious Creators, and GRSM Band & Music are clubs offered at Saint Mary's. A research club is offered as part of student enrichment. The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is available for grades 6–8. Foreign language instruction in French or Spanish is offered in all grades, and weekly resource classes include Technology, Physical Education/Health, Art, Music, and Library Sciences.

Arts & Creative
Choir is offered, with Wednesday after-school practices. Focus Areas and Goals include building breathing and vocal technique, sight singing, opportunities to be soloists or sing in smaller groups, singing at Mass, and performing in multiple internal or external performances while exploring different musical genres. Curious Creators, Chess Club, and GRSM Band & Music are listed as Clubs + Extras. France & England Trip '27 provides cross-cultural learning experiences.

Cultural & Language
Foreign language instruction in French or Spanish is offered to students in all grades. France & England Trip '27 provides cross-cultural learning experiences. Liturgy and Mass are held weekly at Saint Mary's Church as part of Catholic tradition.

Social & Hobbies
The PTO helps the Saint Mary's community through fundraising, events, volunteering, and promoting positive community engagement. The Student Council Association (SCA) is a servant leadership organization promoting open communication between middle school students and teachers/administration, with spring officer elections and fall homeroom representative elections. Seasonal sports and clubs are part of student life, and events such as school talent shows and reading activities enrich social experiences.

Community & Service
All students and families are encouraged to serve the school, church, and community, with 25 service hours per year in the IB Middle Years Programme. Service includes cantor, cross bearer, altar server, lector roles at weekly Masses, and donations to the weekly Mass collections to charities. Recent campaigns included sock collections for CARITAS, support for the St. Francis Home, and items for Commonwealth Catholic Charities Homeless Outreach Programs, with parish activities such as hospitality functions, parish picnics, and Vacation Bible School.

Leadership & Professional
The Student Council Association (SCA) is a servant leadership organization promoting open communication between middle school students and staff; spring elections appoint new officers and fall elections select homeroom representatives. SCA officers and representatives develop public speaking and leadership skills through Morning Meeting and regular service to the school community. Monarch of the Month Virtues are recognized monthly by faculty and daily by students living out Christ-like qualities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Seasonal sports and clubs cover Fall: Coed Elementary Soccer, Coed Flag Football, Middle School Girls' Volleyball, Middle School Boys' Soccer, Cross Country, Pep Squad and Cheer; Winter: Girls' and Boys' Basketball, Pep Squad and Cheer; Spring: Coed Track, Elementary Flag Football, Pep Squad and Cheer, plus Middies programs (Girls and Boys) for volleyball, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, softball, football, and baseball. The PBIS framework, ROAR (Respectful, On Task, Accountable and Responsible), guides behavior in athletics and activities. After School Care provides supervision from dismissal until 6:00 pm, and the Library offers reading programs like the Student Book Club and Battle of the Books to support literacy outside the classroom.
Languages

Language Provision
Foreign language instruction (French or Spanish) is offered to students in all grades.
Reputation

Accreditations
Middle States Association accreditation; authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Organization's Middle Years Programme (IB MYP).
Admissions

Admissions
1) Learn about the school. Saint Mary's educates students from Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade in the West End of Richmond, Virginia. The school emphasizes a strong academic program and a sense of community. Prospective families may plan an in-person tour to see the school by using the Book a Tour page. 2) Schedule a visit. To experience the school firsthand, prospective families should schedule an in-person tour via the Book a Tour page. Tours provide an opportunity to observe the campus and ask questions about the program. 3) Apply online. When ready to apply, begin the application process through the online system. The RenWeb online portal handles admissions and is linked from the Admissions page. 4) Contact and next steps. Anne Leigh Bisese is the Admissions Director and can be contacted regarding inquiries; the admissions line is 804-740-1048.
School Events
The school has not added events
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