Philosophy
As Christian educators we, jointly with each parent, share the privilegeandresponsibility of facilitating the growth of the whole child. Through our religious and academic program we help to form the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical development of every student entrusted to us.
History
Cathedral School of St. Mary is the oldest school in continuous operation in Austin. The rich history of our school parallels with the history of Austin, a history that stretches from the beginnings of state through the bleak years of the Depression and World War II, to the boom of the late twentieth century, when the Austin metropolitan area reached a population of a million. The unique history of the many generations who have attended Cathedral School of St. Mary is present on our campus. While the building, curriculum, and faculty have changed over the last 135 years, the values we seek to instill in our students remain the same. The Sisters of the Holy Cross order concentrated on the three R’s and Catholic Church teachings in order to guide young lives in the path of Christ. Today, lay faculty members emphasize the same traditional values in order to accomplish the same goals: Christian formation and academic success.
Accreditation
Cathedral School of St. Mary is accredited by the Texas Catholic Education Department, which is recognized by the Commissioner of Education for the purposes of accrediting Catholic schools in the State of Texas.
Demographics
Cathedral School of St. Mary serves families from 46 different zip codes throughout Central Texas.
Curriculum
Cathedral School of St. Mary maintains a balanced curriculum in accordance with the Principles and Standards for the Catholic Schools developed by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department (TCCED). The pre-school curriculum is a developmental program designed to prepare students for kindergarten. The curriculum includes religion, languages arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health, music, Spanish, physical education, art, and computer literacy. Each teacher has a daily written schedule, which is flexible enough to meet the needs of individual students, and follows the prescribed daily and weekly time requirements mandated by TCCED. Co-curricular and extra-curricular instruction includes, but is not limited to, altar server training, choir, athletics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, yearbook staff, Student Council and Game Club.
Religion
Religion is the central course in the curriculum designed to bring each student to a personal experience of his faith and deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ. Religion is taught daily, along with Morning Prayer, recitation of the Angelus at noon, lunch prayers, and prayers before dismissal. Students receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion during the second grade. Mass is included in the weekly schedule as a regular part of the school program.
Graduate Statistics
Over the last 10 years, more than 95% of the Cathedral School students who have applied to local private schools have been accepted. Some of these schools include: St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, Incarnate Word, San Juan Diego, and Concordia Academy, as well as the public schools’ science and liberal arts academics.
School Hours
The school day begins at 7:50 a.m. for all students. Dismissal for all students is at 3:15 p.m. A teacher is present in the Donahue Center to supervise students from 7:00 a.m. — 7:45 a.m. each morning. Extended care is available from 3:30 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.
Pre-Kindergarten 3 through 8th Grade
Mission
Cathedral School of St. Mary, enriches students spiritually, academically, and socially by fostering a diverse community through, with and in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Admissions Criteria
Cathedral School of St. Mary School accepts children of any race, sex, creed, or national origin, providing the parents agree to submit their child to the rules and regulations adopted by the school. Satisfactory academic and conduct records from the school previously attended are a prerequisite for entry into St. Mary’s. Once records are reviewed by the Principal and deemed acceptable according to the standards set forth, a child may be admitted to the school. The Principal shall decide whether to accept a student or deny acceptance. All new students entering Cathedral School of St. Mary are accepted conditionally and the parent/guardian must sign the Conditional Acceptance Form. The school will monitor the student’s progress and provide a progress report to the parent/guardian. At the end of the time specified on the Conditional Acceptance Form. The Principal shall determine whether enrollment shall be continued or terminated.
St. Mary’s has a qualified, experienced faculty. Individualized instruction is provided to all students. However, students who have serious behavioral, learning, or physical problems that require specially trained personnel may be refused admission.
In order to enter first grade, a child must be six years old on or before September 1. Age must be verified by an official birth certificate. In accordance with this policy, on or before September 1:
· Pre-kindergarten 3 students must be 3 years old
· Pre-kindergarten 4 students must be 4 years old
· Kindergarten students must be 5 years old
· First grade students must be 6 years old