Revealing Our Dedication to Excellence

As an esteemed institution with a rich legacy, we are dedicated to providing an exceptional educational experience.

Discover St. Mary's Catholic School

Mission Statement

"Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and academically rigorous environment where students are encouraged to grow in their faith and knowledge. Guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ, we are committed to fostering the spiritual, intellectual, and moral development of each child, preparing them to be compassionate, responsible, and active members of both the Church and the global community."

Vision Statement

"Our vision is to cultivate a community of highly educated, compassionate, confident, and service-oriented individuals, grounded in Catholic values and committed to excellence. We strive to inspire students to live their faith with integrity, embrace lifelong learning, and make a positive impact in the world, guided by the love and teachings of Christ."

Philosophy Statement

"We believe that education is a partnership between school, family, community, and church, where each child is valued as a unique creation of God. Our approach to learning integrates academic rigor with Catholic teachings, fostering spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and social growth. We are committed to nurturing a love for Christ and others, promoting virtues such as kindness, respect, and service. Through a balanced education, we empower students to become lifelong learners, responsible citizens, and active participants in the life of the Church, equipped to face the challenges of the world with faith, hope, and love."

Our History

The Foundation

Established in 1890 by the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters, St. Mary’s Paragould School began as a small frame schoolhouse built alongside a convent to provide a rigorous, faith-filled education to Paragould’s local children. Despite serving a tiny initial Catholic parish of just 73 individuals, the school quickly outgrew its original building over the next 16 years. To accommodate a steadily rising enrollment, the community expanded the campus in 1906, constructing a larger facility (pictured here) that laid the groundwork for decades of future growth on North 2nd Street.

Growth and Rebuilding

By 1956, the evolving standards of mid-century education and a steadily growing student body made it clear that the 1906 facility could no longer meet the community's needs. In response, the parish undertook a major revitalization project, constructing a brand-new, modern school building designed to accommodate contemporary learning. This milestone development completely refreshed the campus, providing students with updated classrooms and resources while firmly solidifying St. Mary’s permanent footprint on North 2nd Street. Decades later, this very same 1956 building remains the active, vibrant home of the school and preschool today, continuing to welcome generations of local students through its doors.

Success For All

Today, St. Mary’s operates as a private, co-educational institution serving students from Preschool (Pre-K3) through the 6th grade. While it remains an active ministry of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the school has long welcomed families of all faith backgrounds from the Greene County area. It maintains a famously intimate learning environment, with a student-to-teacher ratio of roughly 8-to-1, ensuring that the legacy of personalized care started by the Benedictine Sisters in 1890 continues into the modern era.

How We Meet The Needs of Students

Admissions

St. Mary School teachers are highly qualified with over fifty years of experience including dyslexic therapists, reading specialists, ESL, and advanced degrees in early childhood. We promote Christian values, community service, and a duty to serve God above all others.