St. Mary Catholic School

Academics & Curriculum

A crest with four shield quadrants; the top left has a cross and a crown with a cross, the top right has a woman's face with a halo, the bottom left has a rolled scroll, and the bottom right has a dove. Below the crest is a banner with the Latin phrase 'Adora Disce Serve' and the year 1983.

Academics

At St. Mary Catholic School, our academic program forms both intellect and character.

We provide a challenging curriculum grounded in Catholic truth, fostering a love of learning and preparing students for lifelong success. Small class sizes allow for individualized attention, and our dedicated teachers help each child grow in wisdom, creativity, and confidence.

Our academic program is enriched by engaging electives, real-world experiences, and service opportunities, all within a faith-centered environment that encourages virtue and leadership.

A classroom with students sitting at desks, a teacher writing on the whiteboard, and a banner that reads, 'The Three D's to Succeed: Desire, Discipline, Dedication.'

Curriculum Overview

St. Mary School follows the Diocese of Lansing Catholic School Curriculum, which provides a clear academic structure while integrating the truths of our faith.

Beginning in the 2023–2024 school year, we adopted the Sophia Institute’s Spirit of Truth series, a nationally respected program that deepens students’ understanding of Scripture, Church teaching, and moral formation.

Our curriculum includes core subjects (Religion, Math, Literature, Science, History) along with enrichment courses in Spanish, Latin, Art, Music, Physical Education, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and Discipleship and Evangelization. We aim to cultivate both academic integration and spiritual depth in every classroom.

Sophia Institute's Spirit of Truth Curriculum
Young girl with a beanie hat and a bib smiling while writing with a pen at a table.

About Assessments

To monitor academic progress and support student growth, we administer the NWEA MAP Growth Assessment three times a year for students in grades 3–5, and annually for grade 2. These adaptive tests provide teachers with timely insights into student strengths and needs, allowing instruction to be personalized and targeted for each learner. We also administer the ARK Assessment (Assessment of Religious Knowledge) , which delivers clear, actionable insights to help us ensure a robust Catholic foundation.

More Information About NWEA
More Information About ARK

Have a question? Reach out to us today!

Office Email: mrssalow@stmarypinckney.org
Parish Office: (734) 878-5616