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St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School

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St. Mary’s is a Catholic coeducational high school preparing young men and women to be good professionals, good citizens, and good friends, while pursuing holiness in their personal vocations.

Our PhilosophySt. Mary’s College Preparatory High School offers a strong academic preparation grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Dedicated teachers impart rigorous academic training in all the liberal arts while encouraging students to grow in virtue in an atmosphere of cheerfulness and optimism. Each student receives opportunities to excel in the arts, sciences, languages, literature, theology, mathematics, and history. The moral growth of each student is nurtured through regular opportunities for prayer, works of charity and service, and the frequent availability of the sacraments. St. Mary’s graduates are well-prepared to excel in their chosen professions. They learn to speak and write with clarity, and to express their thoughts with precision and creativity. A St. Mary’s graduate is distinguished by a well-rounded personality, a respect for the harmony of faith and reason, and a desire to serve God and others.

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FactsSaint Mary’s College Preparatory High School facilities provide students with the use of 42 classrooms, biology, chemistry and physics laboratories, four technology centers featuring two dedicated MAC centers, a library, two cafeterias, 14 varsity sports, two gymnasiums each with locker room facilities, a universal gym, a soccer/lacrosse athletic field and an all-weather track, two art studios, a dance studio and an auditorium. The Church of Saint Mary is the heart of the campus, where school liturgies and prayer services are held throughout the year.

Saint Mary’s College Preparatory High School offers:

• A rigorous academic environment where students are challenged inside and outside the classroom.

• Cutting-edge technology.

• An extensive athletic, fine/performing arts and extracurricular program allowing students to explore their talents and develop a secure sense of belonging.

• A Faculty of experienced educators with advanced degrees in their subject areas.

• A nurturing learning environment with a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy.

• An extra help program five-days a week.

• A five-day Freshman Camp experience in August.

• Summer Enrichment and Enhancement Programs in Math, English, Science and technology.

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Curriculum

The program of studies at St. Mary’s is designed to provide each student with the opportunity for a comprehensive college preparatory education. The academic program emphasizes a rich and broad curriculum anchored in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Each student is prepared to meet and exceed the New York state standards and be eligible for admission to the nation’s most selective colleges and universities. St. Mary’s recognizes individual differences by providing a range of skill levels for a number of courses.

Each student enrolls in four years of English, theology, history, science, mathematics and language. Electives are also available and each student is required to take two years of fine or performing arts.

Opportunities for excellence are extensive, including numerous Advanced Placement courses, college credit options, and honors classes.

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TechnologyThe St. Mary’s curriculum is supplemented by cutting-edge technology including state-of-the-art wireless capacity and interactive whiteboards in each classroom. An interactive online system allows all students and parents to access homework assignments, grades and teacher comments. Our technology program aims to support academic content areas such as history, the fine arts, and the sciences while enhancing student motivation and growth in study skills.

St. Mary’s offers the opportunity for students to participate in college level computer courses such as Introduction to Computer Programming and Advanced Placement Computer Science.

Guidance ProgramThe school’s guidance counselors work with students to help them to grow in self knowledge, an understanding of peer relationships, and a greater sense of social responsibility. The school also matches each student with a teacher-advisor who acts as an additional resource and point of contact and meets periodically with each advisee. The advisor’s role is to listen, and where practical, to give advice on growth in good academic habits, the development of friendships, and character development.

As a college preparatory high school, St. Mary’s provides extensive assistance to students on the college admissions process. Beginning in freshman year, students are encouraged to focus on their preparation for college exams such as the SAT and ACT. The PSAT’s are given to both sophomores and juniors to identify areas in need of improvement. The college search and application process is the main focus of the junior and senior years. Students are encouraged to use the Naviance Program, an internet based program designed for college searches, career searches as well as an interest inventory to identify areas of career interest. In the spring of junior year, the counselors set up individual meetings with juniors and parents/guardians to discuss the entire college process.

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Catholic IdentitySt. Mary’s College Preparatory High School is rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the harmony of faith and reason. Each student is encouraged to grow in intellectual and moral virtue through regular acts of charity and service toward their peers and the wider community, the reception of the sacraments, habits of prayer, and classes in theology. Formation in virtue fosters respect for every person, a desire to serve God and others, and a cheerful attitude toward life’s challenges.

The Church of St. Mary and Christ’s Eucharistic presence is the spiritual heart of the campus. The student body regularly comes together here for school Masses, and opportunities for prayer and the reception of the sacraments.

Campus ministry provides retreats, prayer meetings, varied opportunities for charitable service, and opportunities for growth in friendship.

Campus Ministry/Newman CentreThe Campus Ministry/Newman Centre provides programs that encourage students to grow in virtue, friendship, and holiness. The Universal Call To Holiness highlighted by the Second Vatican Council finds concrete expression in many of the day-to-day activities offered by the Centre. Day and weekend retreats are available to students in each grade. These are opportunities for prayer and spiritual growth in an atmosphere of friendship and encouragement. Opportunities for charitable service include tutoring in the community, feeding the hungry at local soup kitchens, and a variety of corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

All students are welcome and encouraged to participate in the activities of the Campus Ministry.

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Life after St. Mary’sWhen you choose St. Mary’s, you will join a school whose recent graduates amassed over $22,000,000 in college scholarships. St. Mary’s has dedicated College Guidance Counselors to help you choose the perfect fit for your college career. Here is a selected list of colleges and universities where recent graduates have been accepted:

Adelphi UniversityAmerican UniversityBabson CollegeBard CollegeBentley UniversityBinghamton UniversityBoston CollegeBoston UniversityBrown UniversityButler UniversityCarnegie Mellon UniversityClemson UniversityCollege of Mount Saint VincentCollege of the Holy CrossColumbia UniversityCornell UniversityCUNY (various campuses)CUNY-Macaulay Honors CollegeDartmouthDuke UniversityEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityEmerson CollegeEmory UniversityFairfield UniversityFashion Institute of TechnologyFordham UniversityGeorge Mason UniversityGeorge Washington UniversityGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgetown UniversityHamilton CollegeHampton UniversityHaverford CollegeHigh Point UniversityHofstra UniversityHoward UniversityIndiana UniversityIona CollegeIowa State UniversityJames Madison University

Le Moyne CollegeLong Island UniversityLouisiana State UniversityLoyola University MarylandManhattan CollegeManhattanville CollegeMarist CollegeMarymount UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Mercy CollegeMiami University (Ohio)Michigan State UniversityMolloy CollegeMuhlenberg CollegeNew York Institute of TechnologyNew York UniversityNortheastern UniversityOhio State UniversityPace UniversityPennsylvania State UniversityPrinceton UniversityProvidence CollegePurdue UniversityQuinnipiac UniversityRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteRhode Island School of DesignRochester Institute of TechnologyRutgers UniversitySacred Heart UniversitySaint Joseph’s UniversitySchool of Visual ArtsSeton Hall UniversitySiena CollegeSpelman CollegeSt. Bonaventure UniversitySt. Francis CollegeSt. John’s UniversitySt. Joseph’s CollegeStonehill College

Stony Brook UniversitySUNY AlbanySUNY Buffalo State CollegeSUNY Maritime CollegeSwarthmore CollegeSyracuse UniversityTemple UniversityThe Catholic University of AmericaUnited States Merchant Marine Academy

United States Naval AcademyUniversity of AlabamaUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of CaliforniaUniversity of Colorado at BoulderUniversity of ConnecticutUniversity of DelawareUniversity of IllinoisUniversity of KentuckyUniversity of MarylandUniversity of MassachusettsUniversity of MiamiUniversity of MichiganUniversity of Notre DameUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of ScrantonUniversity of South CarolinaUniversity of TexasUniversity of VermontUniversity of VirginiaUniversity of WisconsinVanderbilt UniversityVassar CollegeVillanova UniversityVirginia State UniversityWagner CollegeWashington University in St. LouisWesley CollegeWesleyan UniversityXavier University

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AthleticsSt. Mary’s is home to the Gaels, and offers a tradition of excellence with an impressive array of athletic teams for competitive students looking to supplement their academic experience. St. Mary’s has had tremendous success over the years with numerous championships and awards for Sportsmanship. St. Mary’s Men’s Varsity Ice Hockey is the all-time leader in State Championships.

• Boys Basketball

• Girls Basketball

• Girls Volleyball

• Boys Soccer

• Girls Soccer

• Boys Swimming

• Girls Swimming

• Boys Track (Winter)

• Girls Track (Winter)

• Boys Track (Spring)

• Girls Track (Spring)

• Cross Country

• Boys Bowling

• Girls Bowling

• Boys Baseball

• Girls Softball

• Boys Lacrosse

• Girls Lacrosse

• Ice Hockey

• Girls Tennis

• Badminton

• Cheerleading

• Boys Volleyball

• Archery

• Fencing

• Squash

• Crew

• Sailing

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Clubs/ActivitiesWhen the school day ends, opportunity is just beginning. Students are encouraged to participate in one or more enriching and exciting extra-curricular activities. A St. Mary’s education keeps going, long after the final bell.

• Alpha Omega Society

• Anime Club

• Art Club

• Asian Club

• Audio Visual Club

• Bagpipe Band

• Bible Studies Club

• Board Game Club

• Book Club

• Business/Stock Market Club

• Campus Ministry

• Chess Club

• Chamber Choir

• Crochet Club

• Dance Ensemble

• Environmental Awareness Club

• Eucharistic Ministers

• Fitness Club

• Gardening Club

• Healthy Living Club

• Irish Club

• Italian Club

• Karate Club

• Live Streaming Club

• Math Club

• Varsity/Freshmen Mock Trial

• Modern Language Honor Society

• Music Club

• National Honor Society

• Praise Band Club

• Pre-Medical Association

• Retreat Leaders

• Scholar Service Institute

• Science Fiction Club

• Science Olympiad

• Senior/Junior Shepherds

• Sign Language Club

• Ski Club

• Spanish Club

• St. Mary's Ambassadors

• Student Government Association

• Table Tennis Club

• Theater Arts

• Tri-M Honor Society

• Ukulele Club

• Video Gaming League

• Yearbook and Publications

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Freshman TransitionFor some, the transition from the familiar atmosphere of the local grammar school to that of a larger high school is not always easy. For many past and present St. Mary’s students, however, the change has been both memorable and enjoyable. An orientation camp for incoming freshmen is one reason many of our students make the adjustment to high school so quickly.

Each year, faculty and upperclassmen introduce the incoming freshmen to St. Mary’s at Camp Veritas in Wurtsboro, NY. The facilities include all the amenities a summer camp has to offer. Activities include swimming, soccer, frisbee, volleyball, laser tag, and dodge-ball, along with specialties in dance, basketball, and acting. Our freshmen have the opportunity to meet and get to know the faculty, administration, student leaders and their fellow classmates.

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Where are we?St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School is conveniently located on Northern Boulevard in Manhasset, NY, and is easily accessible by bus, train and car from all points in New York City and Nassau and Suffolk Counties. We are only 35 minutes from New York City, near its rich and great learning institutions.

Long Island Rail Road: The Manhasset Station on the Port Washington Branch is walking distance to St. Mary’s. Travel on this line originates at Penn Station and stops at Woodside, Flushing-Main Street, Broadway, Auburndale, Bayside, Douglaston, Little Neck, and Great Neck.

Many of our students take NYCTA buses that connect to the Nassau County routes which runs along Northern Boulevard directly to St. Mary’s.

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Admissions and Scholarship InformationYoung men and women in the eighth grade who are interested in pursuing a college preparatory course of study are encouraged to apply to St. Mary’s.

Online ApplicationEach applicant must fill out the online application at: saintmaryshs.org

Entrance ExamStudents residing in the Diocese of Rockville Centre and in the five boroughs of New York City (The Diocese of Brooklyn and the Archdiocese of New York) must register and take the Test for Admissions into Catholic High Schools (TACHS). The TACHS exam is administered online in November. Please visit the TACHS website for more information and to register for the exam: tachsinfo.com

The school code for St. Mary’s College Preparatory School is #699.

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Teacher RecommendationsWhile optional, it is strongly recommended that each student secure an online recommendation. This should come from a teacher, a principal, school counselor, coach or pastor. You must request the recommendations through the online admissions portal.

Transfer AdmissionsStudents seeking to transfer to St. Mary’s must provide transcripts for the previous two years and schedule an interview with the Director of Admissions. Please contact Mrs. Norma Stafford, Director of Admissions, at nstafford@saintmaryshs.org or 516-627-2711 ext.1084 for more information.

Scholarship OpportunitiesThe top ranking eighth grade applicants will be awarded scholarships based on performance in the TACHS Exam and school achievement. The scholarships are renewed each year based on successful academic standing and upholding the guidelines of St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School.

Tuition AssistanceLimited tuition assistance is available to accepted students of qualified families. The online application process is available through FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment once a student is registered to attend. This is an annual process for all applicants and will not renew automatically. Please visit factstuitionaid.com for more information.

Open HouseEvery September St. Mary’s hosts an open house for all to get a feel for life on our campus. Come ready with questions for our many student Ambassadors, teachers and administration. For more information, please visit our website: saintmaryshs.org.

Gael for a DayShadow Days are an opportunity for 7th and 8th grade students to get a first hand experience of the life of a Gael. Interested students are invited to schedule an appointment with the Admissions Office by calling 516-627-2711 ext.1084, emailing: nstafford@saintmaryshs.org, or you may visit our website: saintmaryshs.org and fill out a shadow day request form.

Personal ToursSchool tours are available by appointment. Please contact the Admissions Office by calling 516-627-2711 ext.1084 or emailing: nstafford@saintmaryshs.org.

For additional information, please contact Norma Ragalli Stafford, Director of Admissions, at nstafford@saintmaryshs.org or 516-627-2711 ext.1084

@stmaryhs

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St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School 51 Clapham Avenue • Manhasset • New York 11030

SaintMarysHS.org