CATHOLIC SCHOOL PROFILE
Mission Statement
In a Christ-centered atmosphere, our mission is to teach, to learn and to become life-long servants of Jesus.
Belief Statements
Community
- We believe the whole Parish shares in the responsibility for the growth and enrichment of our faith community.
- We believe that parents must be actively involved with the school and parish in order for their child to receive the full benefits of a faith-filled school.
- We believe that our community extends beyond the boundaries of our parish; therefore, we strive to minister to all of God’s family through service projects.
- We believe community growth develops through mutual respect and understanding of different people and cultures.
- We believe students should be contributing members of society, exercise self-discipline, and be tolerant of others, and become mature positive leaders of the future.
Academic/Intellectual
- We believe in upholding high standards and expectations, challenging each student and teacher to reach his or her potential.
- We believe optimal learning is enhanced when students’ developmental stages guide and direct teaching techniques and methodology.
- We believe instructional practices should reflect the learning styles and needs of our students.
Social Beliefs
- We believe students, parents, faculty and staff will treat each other with dignity and mutual respect.
- We believe teaching students age-appropriate decision making strategies enables them to achieve their highest potential.
- We believe that each classroom should have a welcoming environment so that all students freely contribute to the learning process.
- We believe newcomers are welcomed and invited to become active members of our school community.
- We believe uniforms positively affect student learning.
- We believe bullying is an inappropriate behavior in a safe learning environment.
Physical Beliefs
- We believe that sound physical growth develops in a safe Christian environment.
- We believe developing healthy habits in nutrition, hygiene and exercise will help students grow into healthy adults.
- We believe that students should display fair play and good sportsmanship in all activities.
Spiritual Beliefs
- We believe that our greatest mission is to communicate and live the gospel message of Jesus.
- We believe our Catholic faith unites diverse groups to worship, and strengthen our Christian values through the use of our time, talents, and treasures.
- We believe students will develop a love and knowledge of God through the sacraments and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
- We believe our mission is to teach God’s children to live, speak, and behave as Christians.
- We believe Mass attendance, and daily prayer enrich every aspect of our lives.
Our History
St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School is a Catholic elementary school (grades K-8) located in the beautiful and historic Summerville area of Augusta, Georgia. St. Mary parish is a stewardship parish and supports of St. Mary school.
St. Mary, originally named Mount St. Joseph, was founded in 1913 by the Georgia province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The school, as it stands today, first opened its doors at its current location in 1960. Historically, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet administered the school. Today, lay personnel staff the school.
In 1995, St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church implemented a plan of Sacrificial Giving, making the Church a stewardship parish. Catholic education is the largest ministry of this growing and vibrant parish. Our school is blessed with the generous outpouring of support through parishioners’ time, talent and treasure stewardship way of life.
As a result of recent additions and renovations in 2002, our current school campus has: 24 classrooms—all equipped with Promethean Activboards, 4 computer labs, administrative offices, a religious education office, a library/media center, a music room, an art room, a language room, a gymnasium, a full-service cafeteria, and a full-time staffed health room.
Demographics
Our students primarily reside in Richmond and Columbia Counties in Georgia and Aiken County in South Carolina.
Student body: 435
Catholic: 97%
Non-Caucasian: 6%
Faculty and Staff: 44
Faculty and Staff Catholic: 84%
Student/Teacher Ratio: 18:1
Accreditation
St. Mary has grades K-8 and is accredited by both the Florida Catholic Conference (FCC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The FCC sets standards for all Catholic schools in the state of Florida and the Diocese of Savannah. St. Mary’s has met FCC standards annually since the school’s initial accreditation in 1998.
St. Mary earned its SACs accreditation in 2009 and is presently preparing for SACS reaccreditation as part of a Diocesan-wide process.