Little River Community School vs. St. Mary's Elementary School

Little River Community School is an alternative school serving 40 students, grades K-12, in a four-room schoolhouse, in Canton, NY. At Little River, we have a fundamental trust in children and their inherent motivation to learn about their world.

Children are given the opportunity to embark on their quest for knowledge and understanding at their own pace.

We provide many resources for this journey, including experience, support, encouragement, a variety of hands-on learning materials and opportunities for field trips.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, we create the "one-room school house" model where students of all ages work together in the same class.

Children are encouraged to understand and relate to the changing world around them.

Given the opportunity, the students develop self-reliance and confidence, enabling them to make decisions and to take responsibility for the results of their actions.

We nurture continued self-motivation rather than dependence on external motivation.

Little River students are encouraged to help one another and learn through cooperation.

St. Mary's Elementary School today continues the mission which was Neumann's to provide excellence in Catholic education for the children of Lancaster, Depew and surrounding areas.

Indeed, from the founding days of St. John Neumann in 1836 through the present, St.

Mary's Elementary School has left to our community a strong legacy of graduates who have demonstrated a deep sense of love of God, country, neighbor and family.

Today, St. Mary's Elementary School continues its commitment to foster in our students the ability to be visible examples of the Gospel, especially by being of service to others.

We see as our mission the development of the complete Christ-like person—academically, spiritually, physically, morally, socially and emotionally.

Moreover, through the constant support, presence and commitment of our families, combined with the dedicated efforts and care of our professional faculty and staff, we week to develop students who combine an enthusiasm for learning and growth with a true respect for and dedication to the values of our community.

Thus, the children educated at St. Mary's Elementary School will take with them into the future the faith, intelligence, responsibility, self-discipline, integrity and compassion necessary to both serve and lead their fellow human beings.