St. Mary’s School (OR)

Medford

Oregon

United States

Overview

At St. Mary’s we teach students how to think, not what to think. We believe that students learn best when they are invested, and what better way to encourage kids than to give them some choices in their studies? High school students choose from well over 500 classes for the 2021-2022 school year. And what does that mean? Literally no two student transcripts will look the same! Building on over 150 years of academic excellence, St. Mary’s School combines a traditional college preparatory curriculum with a growth mindset and engaging, timely content. Niche rates us the #3 private school in Oregon (#1 outside the Portland metro area) and the #1 Catholic school in Oregon. Each day, students take three 90-minute classes, with a 45-minute enrichment class midday. Students design their own schedule driven by their passion, a specific challenge, trying something new, and meeting our college preparatory requirements. Students set the path and we help them get there.

Academics

Summary: Our curriculum is centered on a growth mindset and seeks to challenge students to take agency in their learning. While we maintain the core of a traditional curriculum, including AP courses, our teachers have added classes of specific interest and relevant life skills such as Materials Science, History of Your Lifetime, and Adulting. There are over 200 separate courses offered. Students are required to take core subjects, but they may choose their own path within them. Academic research, critical thinking, and analytical writing are valued here. Juniors complete a major research project, exploring a topic of their choice, in a 12-20 page paper following the Chicago style. Papers are blind graded prior to the students defending them to a faculty panel.

Department Director James Meyer

Student/Teacher Ratio: 10:1

Average Class Size: 15

Summer Programs: Offered

Full Time Teachers: 51

Number of AP Courses Offered: 24

Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 75%

Number of IB Courses Offered: 0

Noteworthy Information:
We have competitive try-outs for Math Team and Brain Bowl. Our
three math teams consistently score at the top of the league, with multiple students never dropping a single point in competition. Our Robotics team has a lab and wins world championships.

Learning Support

Study Skills Assistance
Subject Tutoring
Technology Center
Writing Center

English

Classics
Creative Writing
Literature
Playwriting
Poetry
Public Speaking
Composition
Journalism
AP English Language
AP English Literature
American Literature

History

Asian History
Classical History
European History
United States History
World History
Art History
Latin American History

Foreign Languages

Chinese-Mandarin
German
Latin
Spanish
English as a Second Language

Religion / Philosophy

Ethics
Faith
Moral Philosophy
Mythology
Philosophy
Religious Studies
Theology
World Religions

Humanities / Social Sciences

Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Human Geography
World Issues
International Relations

Sciences

Anatomy
Animal Behavior
Astronomy
Astrophysics
Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Ecology
Environmental Science
Genetics
Geology
Health
Microbiology
Physical Science
Physics
Zoology
Biochemistry
Engineering
Life Science
Computer Science
Robotics
Psychology

Math

Computer Studies

Computer Applications
Multimedia
Computer Programming
Computer Science
Web Design
Robotics
Graphic Design
Digital Media
Video Game Design
Electronics

Music

Band
Choral Music
History of Jazz
Individual Instructions
Music Appreciation
Music History
Music Theory
Songwriting
Voice
Music Production

Performing / Visual Arts

Acting
Animation
Architecture
Art History
Ceramics
Debate
Design
Directing
Drawing
Film and Video
Graphic Design
Journalism
Painting
Photography
Portfolio
Pottery
Publications
Public Speaking
Sculpture
Studio Art
3-D Art
Jazz Band
Blacksmithing
Digital Imaging
Multimedia
Illustration

Special Programs

Study Abroad
Community Service
Exchange Programs
Personal Finance
Independent Study
Leadership
Outdoor Education
Entrepreneurship
Physical Education
Robotics
Public Speaking
Student Council
Science Research
Digital Design
Maker Space

Distinctive or New Programs

Borders and Boundaries Collapse Culture of Place Diversity Amid Globalization Forks and Chopsticks: Culture of Place Genius History of Your Lifetime Industrialization and Empire Islamic Movement: 600-1500 Lottery of Birth: Why Place Matters Man, Myth, Legend Medieval History: Medieval Times Medieval History: The Dark Ages Middle East Mod Abroad: Social Studies Modernity: 1900-Present National History Day Off the Beaten Path: Africa Since 1945 Piracy: Sowing Terror on Land and Sea

Campus Life

Dorm Life

Number of Dorms: 1

Average Students Per Dorm: 54

Number of Girls Dorms: 0

Number of Boys Dorms: 0

Dorm Amenities

Game Room
Laundry Facilities
Lounge
Wireless Internet
Full Kitchen
Refrigerator

Other Dorm Amenities

ping pong, television, video and board games

Student Life

St. Mary’s School is located 30 miles north of the California border. A five-hour drive from both Portland & Sacramento, our valley is a regional hub for medical services and transportation, despite the lack of a major city. As the premier school in the region, St. Mary’s attracts students from at least six countries as well as from at least 15 small cities and towns nearby. Our international students have a wide selection of activities to choose from throughout the year, including weekends and Mod breaks. These activities range from ping-pong tournaments, midnight dodge ball, travel to Portland for NBA or MLS Soccer games, local hikes, and so much more. Our residential transportation staff is fully licensed and insured. They drive St. Mary’s vans for any student trips, activities and appointments. Our students’ transportation needs are always considered and scheduled accordingly. The St. Mary’s campus is located one block from a 5-star rated medical center to provide any medical care necessary for your student. A member of St. Mary’s International Program or Dormitory staff transports students to their appointments and assists with their care plans. From the moment a student arrives on the St. Mary’s campus, our International Program team keeps families informed of the student’s status and progress through weekly reports, communication through our student database and through a St. Mary’s parents WeChat Group or Facebook group.

Facilities

Baseball Field
Basketball Court
Fitness Center
Football Field
Indoor Basketball Court
Technology Center
Volleyball Court
Softball Diamond
Soccer Field
Weight Room
Athletic Fields
Outdoor Track
Turf Fields
Cross Country Trails

Other Facilities

two gymnasiums

Clubs & Organizations

Asian Club
Astronomy Club
Chess Club
Classics Club
Community Service
Computer Club
Debate Club
Drama Club
Environmental Club
Foreign Language Clubs
Future Business Leaders of America
Gardening Club
Habitat for Humanity
Honor Council
Horseback Riding
International Club
Investment Club
Math Club
Mock Trial
Model UN
National Honor Society
Outing Club
Peer Counseling
Peer Tutoring
Photography Club
Quiz Bowl
Science Bowl
Science Fiction Club
Skateboarding Club
Student Activities
Student Government
Student Publications
Weightlifting Club
Yearbook
Robotics
Ultimate Frisbee
Anime Club
Film Club
Poetry Club
Recycling Club
Farming
Outdoor Activities

Arts & Athletics

Summary: 22 Sports Teams Fall: Soccer (boys and girls), Cross Country (boys and girls), Volleyball (girls), American football (boys) Winter: Swimming (boys and girls), Bowling (boys and girls), Basketball (boys and girls), Archery (boys and girls) Spring: Golf (boys and girls), Tennis (boys and girls), Track and Field (boys and girls), Baseball (boys), Lacrosse (boys)

Arts Department Director:

Athletics Department Director:

Notable Achievements: 70% of our students play a sport. Our teams consistently rank at the top in the state, with multiple students signing with collegiate teams most years. We are a small, yet mighty, bunch of athletes earning numerous accolades. Some teams are combined athletic teams with other schools in the region.

Arts

Acting
Animation
Architecture
Art History
Ceramics
Debate
Design
Directing
Drawing
Film and Video
Graphic Design
Journalism
Painting
Photography
Portfolio
Pottery
Publications
Public Speaking
Sculpture
Studio Art
3-D Art
Jazz Band
Blacksmithing
Digital Imaging
Multimedia
Illustration

Interscholastic Sports

Alpine Skiing
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Camping
Canoeing
Cross Country Running
Dance
Football
Freestyle Skiing
Golf
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Kayaking
Lacrosse
Martial Arts
Outdoor Education
Rafting
Rock Climbing
Skateboarding
Snowboarding
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Table Tennis
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Weight Lifting
Cycling

Recreational Sports

Aerobics
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Camping
Canoeing
Cross Country Running
Dance
Equestrian
Football
Freestyle Skiing
Golf
Gymnastics
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Kayaking
Kickball
Martial Arts
Mountain Biking
Outdoor Education
Power Lifting
Rafting
Rock Climbing
Skateboarding
Snowboarding
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Table Tennis
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Weight Lifting
Cycling
Yoga
Pilates
Fitness
Climbing
Kickboxing
Running
Taekwondo
Skiing
Archery
Outdoor Activities
Trail Running
Backpacking
Robotics
Paintball

Graduates

Summary: Below is a list of some of the popular places our students have matriculated in the last four years: American University Barnard College Brigham Young University Brown University Cal Poly University (San Luis Obispo) Case Western Reserve University Chapman University Claremont McKenna College Columbia University Cornell University Duke University George Washington University Georgia Institute of Technology Loyola Marymount University Middlebury College New York University Northwestern University Oregon Institute of Technology Oregon State University Pepperdine University Purdue University Rogue Community College Southern Oregon University Stanford University Syracuse University Tufts University United States Military Academy United States Naval Academy University of Arizona University of British Columbia University of California (Berkeley) University of California (Davis) University of California (San Diego) University of Massachusetts (Amherst) University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania University of Southern California University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin (Madison)

College Information

Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100%

Middle Percentile of SAT Scores	Reading	Math	Writing
25th percentile
75th percentile

Summer Programs

Summary:

Department Director: Nicholas Phillips

Beyond Limits

Description: What is holding you back from achieving your potential? How can we use our dreams and imagination to push past what we thought were our limits to transform our world? During our Beyond Limits summer camp, you will build robots, climb mountains, brave whitewater rapids and explore the coastal redwoods, some of the world's most gigantic trees!

Director: Nicholas Phillips

Application Deadline:

Start Date: 2021-06-23

End Date: 2021-07-01

Tuition From:

Tuition To:

Website:

Boarding:

Financial Aid Available: No

Merit

Merit Scholarships: Offered

Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 6%

Average Merit Scholarship: 10,000

Current Endowment Amount: $0

Interested in St. Mary's School (OR)?

Vital Information

Student Body Type: Coed

Total Boarding: 27

Total Day: 490

Total Enrollment: 517

Boys: 267

Girls: 250

Boarding Grades Offered: 7-12

Day Grades Offered: 5-12

School Type: Middle, High School

Dress Code: Casual

Applications Accepted: Contact School

Application Deadline: Rolling

Tuition & Financial Aid

7-Day Boarding: $57,000

5-Day Boarding: $50,565

Day Tuition Fee: $17,400

Need-Based Aid: Offered

Payment Plans: Offered

Students Receiving Aid: 40%

Average Awarded: $5,000

School Finances