Academic Excellence
St. Mary’s School is a private Catholic elementary school with religious education as an integral part of the curriculum. We offer a well-rounded and comprehensive curriculum. Students receive instruction in the basic academic areas of:

• Math
• Reading
• Language Arts
• Science
• Social Studies

In addition, students participate in:

• Physical Education
• Music
• Weekly Library Classes
• Italian Classes (Pre-K – Grade 5)
• Weekly Computer / Technology Classes

Our Catholic school sets a standard of excellence for academic achievement and life long impact. Our school is accredited and meets the high accountability standards of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The full report is available at http://nationsreportcard.gov/reading_2007/

Testing
Grades 2 – 5 participate in Archdiocesan Testing held annually. Over the years, the Terra Nova Achievement Tests were administered in all elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Boston. Starting in March 2010, the Archdiocese of Boston will be administering the Stanford Achievement Tests. According to the National Terra Nova Test results show that Catholic elementary students: 

SCALE SCORES	PUBLIC	PRIVATE	CATHOLIC
Grade 4 Reading	220	234	232
Grade 8 Reading	261	280	282
Grade 4 Mathematics	239	246	246
Grade 8 Mathematics	280	293	292

• Score above grade level in reading, math, science, and social studies
• Perform at an 11th grade level in the 8th grade
• Score 50% higher than the national average

Honor Roll Requirements
High Honors – All A’s in the Subject Areas and all S’s in Conduct and Effort Areas

Honors – All A’s and B’s in Subject Areas and all S’s in Conduct and Effort Areas

Marking Guide. Grades 4 & 5 – grading points scale:
A+ 97-100	B+ 87-89	C+ 77-79	D+ 67-69
A 94-96	B 84-86	C 74-76	D 64-66
A- 90-93	B- 80-83	C- 70-73	D- 60-63

Students who complete at least the eighth grade in a private school are twice as likely as other students to graduate from college. ~ Archdiocese of Boston