If you're an ambitious student, do not even consider this school. They offer no opportunities for students passionate about anything but business or sports. None of the students are interested in academics, and most are more concerned about who's throwing a party on Friday. Absolutely terrible. Most teachers aren't even educated in the subject they teach (e.g. AP Biology teacher has a degree in english and no background in biology). read more

I am writing this from the perspective of a parent of an applicant to the school, not as a current student. So take that into consideration. Also, I don't write this review lightly. I am not one of those helicopter, high society, privileged parents. Not at all. I am a single mother by choice, and my oldest child recently applied to SMA for 6th grade next fall. Initially, we were both extremely impressed with the admissions staff, the student shadow day, the parent tour days, etc. I was especially impressed by the personal touch from the school while we were applying and waiting for a decision - hand signed holiday cards, a hand written note from a teacher, another handwritten note from the shadow student. Specifically, we were shocked at the language used in the teacher and student letters, as they contained encouraging and forward guiding words implying my child could be on campus next fall. We couldn't believe it. These letters made us so hopeful. In addition, the admissions team reached out proactively to schedule a meeting for me with the Head of Learning Services as my child is twice exceptional (high IQ / anxiety). Fast forward to decision day, and my child was not accepted. We were floored given the written communication received throughout the process. My 10 year old was left confused and heartbroken at SMA's process and communication. I followed up with the school after letting the news sit for a few days. My email was NOT to get a decision reversal, and I said I respected the Committee's decision. However, I told them that my child's confusion and disappointment could have been avoided if they had not allowed that kind of written, forward looking communication throughout the process. And, I did not want that happening to a future applicant. I did ultimately get a response, but it was more along the lines of "we're sorry you feel bad about the decision." I will never know what happened in those Admissions Committee meetings, but I can't help but wonder if my child and my family structure just didn't fit with their Catholic mold. My child is not the stereotypical Greenwood Village / Cherry Hills child. My child is not the girly type in appearance or dress and has experienced bullying as a result. Mind you, my child is border line genius, has a wide variety of interests / passions, witty, funny and an overall stellar child. My child is being considered at other schools here in the Denver area. SMA advertises that about 1/2 of its student population isn't Catholic, and I was open that our family isn't overly religious. In addition, I was very open about our family structure of me being a single mother by choice (IVF on my own and no partner / Dad) with two children. Did these items factor into their decision? I will never know. But as my child said, "Jesus wouldn't treat people this way." read more

Here is a moral compass for the present and future. I attended private school St. Mary's Academy starting in 1963 then into 1969. Awhile back I stopped by for a visit after we took Amtrak to Denver to visit cousins. A welcome respite and all CDC rules were followed during my visit. Filtered through the lens of nostalgia, I remember St. Mary's Academy enjoyably for I found it to be a caring, diverse and inclusive school with inspiring teachers in a culture of mentorship that fostered voice and helped forge pathways for all. I enjoyed and took pride in wearing the school uniform. I learned how to think and problem solve, confident in my potential, vested in responsibility to social justice and the health of humankind and the environment, and prepared for possibilities of an ever-changing world. I attended with girls of all races, religious traditions and economic backgrounds. I was taught how to think rather than what to think. Teaching strategies and curriculum challenged me to problem solve, collaborate and innovate -which provided the foundation for my fellow students and I to be powerful agents of change. "You can't help when or what you were born, you may not be able to help how you die; but you can - and you should - try to pass the days between as a good man." That was written by Corporal Anton Myrer, US Marine Corps Veteran, WWII, wounded at Guam, who died of leukemia most likely Service-connected, in his best-selling and US Army War College required reading novel Once an Eagle, which was later adapted to a tv miniseries. The book is on the Marine Corps commandants' reading list and West Point Cadets are assigned the book in classes and seminars. He is best-selling author of The Last Convertible, an exquisite and sensitive novel of The Greatest Generation that was also adapted into a tv miniseries. I mention Anton Myrer's quote about "good" because I am confident in the future when I see that schools like St. Mary's Academy are still educating youth. I am confident because here, youth are taught to be good people. My most recent visit I learned something I was surprised I hadn't realized before. I learned that the Board of Trustees that governs St. Mary's Academy are all volunteers. It includes members of the Loretto Community, current and past SMA parents, alumnae, and business professionals from the Denver metro area. I had previously known that the Board of Trustees meets during the school year and is responsible for assuring the financial future of the school, determining the yearly tuition, setting policies that will help further the school's mission, and hiring the Academy President. That's a lot of work for volunteers. Honorable Ollie Marie-Victoire California Superior Court Justice and Jane Lubchenco the first woman to serve as Chief of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as 19th United States National Security Advisor and 66th U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are St. Mary's Academy graduates. Although St. Mary's Academy, co-ed preK-7 and girl's high school, does not have a discount on the tuition for the children of Veterans, hence 4 stars instead of 5, it does have general tuition assistance funded by donors. The Academy was founded in 1864, which was during the American Civil War. William Gilpin, first Colorado territorial governor, supported the Union and quickly raised a regiment. The United States War Department credited Colorado with supplying 4,903 to the Union Army. I don't know how many of us who attended St. Mary's Academy went on to Serve in America's Armed Forces. My papa, uncles and male cousins were all The Greatest Generation WWII Veterans, a grandfather a WWI US Army Veteran, my family all Kennedy Democrats, fervently believed in the only US President to receive a Purple Heart President John F. Kennedy's Call to Service, "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." St. Mary's Academy Mission is "St. Mary's Academy fosters excellence in each child through academic achievement, spiritual development, and service." (Assassinated) President Kennedy and St. Mary's Academy both challenge every American to contribute in some way to the public good. The magic of both is not what either promises us, but what both ask from us. That is the heart and soul of the thing we call Camelot. It is real and accounts for the reason that St. Mary's Academy still endures 158 years later as of this writing. read more

St. Mary's Academy - I recommend. - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Englewood, Colorado

We have been thrilled with our daughter's first year as a 6th grade student at St. Mary's Academy. She is our third child, and our first to go outside Denver's public school system (both traditional and charter). As any parent with multiple kids may share, children have individual needs, and what was best for our daughter - smaller class sizes, more individual attention, consistent and warm encouragement within a structured academic environment - meant that we felt she needed a different option than her older siblings. We could not be more pleased. What do we love most about SMA? Most importantly, as much as middle school is never going to be the highlight chapter of any child's autobiography, our daughter genuinely enjoys going to school, no matter how reluctant she appears. The teaching at SMA has been terrific. The smaller class sizes allow her teachers to really get to know and spend time with her - and they understand when to nod empathetically and provide a little leeway, and when to gently hold the line and ask for more responsibility and commitment. There is a structure and rigor to classrooms at SMA that is couched in a warm and bright environment where learning and achievement are valued. The fit at a school stretches far beyond academics, and the culture at SMA has been outstanding. Our daughter was welcomed into a brand new social environment by her peers -- often girls who had been at SMA for several years, but who still embraced new students. She has been encouraged to join teams and activities in which she had no experience, and these have been some of the highlights of her year. Lastly the communication from SMA's administration has been excellent. Even on difficult topics, they are clear on what they believe and why they choose a specific course of action, and they have always acted fully aligned with the interests of their families, The values of SMA are not used to constrain and limit behavior, but instead are a structure on which the school slowly builds, piece by piece, students with exemplary habits and character. We hope to be part of the SMA community for years to come. read more

my daughter is a 6th grader at St Mary's Academy I could not be more pleased with our experience. we have been welcomed into a warn and Nurturing community and my daughter is thriving. The Curriculum is designed to challenge and engage my daughter and I am so grateful for all the wonderful teachers she has had this year; they go above and beyond to help all the students and help them with anything They may need. there is also a lot of extracurricular Opportunities for my daughter from sports to clubs. there is something for everyone. St Mary's feels like a family and we are so lucky to be here and looking forward to both of my daughters attending next year. I wholeheartedly recommend St Mary's to any parent seeking a top-notch education for their child . It's not just a school but a caring and inclusive community that nurtures the Mind, body and spirit of every student. read more

Our son attended for the last two years of middle school. We watched him grow, mature and excel academically in a positive environment. We are sorry to leave and will miss all the wonderful teachers and staff after graduation. Great place and highly recommended. read more

Attending St. Mary's Academy in High School was a an amazing decision and I feel very blessed that my parents were able to afford such a superior education for me. I always felt helped out by faculty and in the high school which is all girls I definitely felt a sense of closeness with my peers, and I made friendships there that will last me a lifetime. I am a proud St. Mary's alum, and dream of my kids attending the school someday when I am at that stage of my life. read more

I have a daughter attending St. Mary's all-girls high school and we are grateful to be a part of the SMA community. The high school has exceeded our expectations in nearly every way. It is equally committed to academic excellence and student well-being and personal growth. Girls have the space and support to explore academic interests and personal skills, as well as grow to understand the many ways you can be a leader in a community. Faith, community, justice and respect are the values through which students learn to navigate at this important time in their lives. The faculty are incredibly engaged and supportive. They are well-accomplished in their respective fields, and many have real world, non-academic experience in their fields that they bring to the classroom. Academics are well-rounded and include strong science and math departments. The curriculum is solid and there are ample opportunities for students to work at an advanced level. The high school administration sets the community tone with its competence, commitment, energy and enthusiasm. The principal and vice principal continue to teach and they are an active part of the girls' day to day experience. In addition to the strong academics and supportive community, the school implemented a comprehensive and effective return to school this fall with COVID, ensuring an equal focus on student/faculty safety and academic excellence. The administration and faculty have demonstrated thoughtful decision making, detailed implementation and unending commitment to the students, creating in-class and remote learning programs and continuing to reassess and adjust as circumstances change. Faculty and administration have ensured thoughtful and thorough communications with students and parents during this uncertain time. I highly recommend SMA for any family considering high school. read more