St. Mary's School in Bird Island serves the area students in kindergarten through eighth grade by providing a Christ-centered Catholic education where academic excellence, self-worth and faith development go hand in hand in a safe environment.
St. Mary's Catholic School has a strong commitment and responsibility to be a caring, sharing and witnessing community of faith guided by the Gospel message, rooted in Catholic tradition.
We create an accepting environment in which students are challenged academically and spiritually to develop their talents to their fullest potential.
We strive to teach the value of community service as well as to raise an awareness of peace and justice issues in our world today.
Quick Facts (2025)
- Top Ranked MN School
- Grades: Kindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 153 students
- Yearly Tuition: $4,500
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
St. Mary's School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
School History
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-8
Year Founded
1898
First Day of School
Thu. Aug 28, 2025
Student Body
Total Students
153 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
10%
State avg.: 23%
Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
12 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
National avg.: 13:1
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Application URL
School Notes
- St. Mary's School in Bird Island serves the area students in kindergarten through eighth grade by providing a Christ-centered Catholic education where academic excellence, self-worth and faith development go hand in hand in a safe environment. St. Mary's Catholic School has a strong commitment and responsibility to be a caring, sharing and witnessing community of faith guided by the Gospel message, rooted in Catholic tradition. We create an accepting environment in which students are challenged academically and spiritually to develop their talents to their fullest potential. We strive to teach the value of community service as well as to raise an awareness of peace and justice issues in our world today.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does St. Mary's School cost?
St. Mary's School's tuition is approximately $4,500 for private students.
What is St. Mary's School's ranking?
St. Mary's School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Minnesota for: Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for St. Mary's School?
The application deadline for St. Mary's School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
School Calendar
View the St. Mary's School yearly calendar below.
School Reviews
Endorse St. Mary's School. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles

7 Ways Kids Can Avoid Summer Brain Drain
The summer "Brain Drain," also known as the "Summer Slide" is a term commonly used by educators and parents alike to describe the learning loss that takes place for many students during summer months. We polled the experts and found the 7 best ways parents and kids can combat the problem head on.

What's Being Taught?
This article examines the academic offerings in American private high schools, discussing graduation requirements, college preparation, accreditation, and advanced programs like AP and IB. It emphasizes the importance of understanding a school's curriculum when choosing the right educational environment for a child.

Waldorf Schools
Waldorf schools offer a well thought out approach to K-12 education.