St. Mary's School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked CA School
Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
Enrollment: 702 students
Yearly Tuition: $31,300
Acceptance rate: 47%
Average class size: 18 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 6 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

St. Mary's School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Episcopal

Grades Offered

Grades Nursery/Preschool-8

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	St. Mary's School
Nursery	84
Pre-K	54
Kind	54
1	54
2	54
3	60
4	60
5	66
6	72
7	72
8	72

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ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Year Founded

1994

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Last Day of School

Wed. Jun 9, 2027

Campus Size

6 acres

School Motto

World-sized hearts. World-class minds

Student Body

Total Students

702 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

11%

State avg.: 52%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

120 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

6:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

40%

Average Class Size

18 students

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Uniform Required

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) (ACS WASC)
International Baccalaureate World School (IB)
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS-CA)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

Jan. 6 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$31,300

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

$10,370 – $23,300 Early Education $28,900 Lower School $31,300 Middle School $31,300 Lunch is included

Summer Program Cost Notes

Price varies by each class registered.

% on Financial Aid

15%

Acceptance Rate

47%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Abeni Bias

Admissions Associate

Anne Marie Valum

Sports

Total Sports Offered

10 sports

Sports

BasketballCheering

Cross CountryDance

Flag FootballLacrosse

SoccerSurf Team

Track and FieldVolleyball

Colors

Blue & Gold

School Mascot

Falcons

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

35 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

AdvisoryAfter School Enrichment

AnimationArts & Crafts

CeramicsChess

Codingcooking

Extended CareFine Arts

GardeningInternational Exchange

leadershipRobotics

ScienceService Learning

Speech and DebateSummer Camps

Show More (2)Hide

Club or Organization:

ASBKarate Class

LegoMath Club

Mock TrialsModel United Nations (MUN)

Rocketry

Arts and Music Programs:

DrawingField Studies

GuitarOrchestra

PaintingTheater

Visual Arts

Recreational Athletic Programs:

GolfInline Hockey

Sports Program

School Notes

St. Mary's is a mission-driven school community dedicated to academic excellence, character formation, and service. Serving students from Early Preschool through Grade 8, St. Mary's offers a strong educational foundation that nurtures the whole child. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, St. Mary's emphasizes critical thinking, global awareness, and inquiry-based learning, preparing students to lead with integrity and compassion in an ever-changing world.
To arrange a St. Mary's School tour or for additional information, please contact the Admission Office at 949.448.9027 or email us at [email protected].

Children can make an impact on the world right now. That's what St. Mary's School is all about. We teach students to ask "what" and "why," demonstrating that they are an essential piece of the answer to "how." Because when students are guided by compassion and critical thinking, they take responsibility for the world without hesitation.
St. Mary's offers the only accredited Preschool through Grade 8 International Baccalaureate Programme in Orange County. This curriculum integrates themes of global significance, challenging students to tap their creativity to solve problems both large and small. More importantly, teaching the power of inquiry and reflection to young minds builds a foundation for lifelong learning. Applying a curriculum free to change alongside the world, the International Baccalaureate Programme prepares St. Mary's School students to thrive across an increasingly connected globe.
St. Mary's School's academics, curricula, and environment prepares students to believe in themselves, trust their ideas, and achieve.
But experience, confidence, and skill aren't enough. Critical thinking depends on a solid base of values and vice versa.
Every day, students encounter complex situations that require them to test the truth of the information in front of them. What's more, they have to do this compassionately, with respect for the diverse perspectives of their peers. This is no easy feat, but it's essential.
Inquiry without love is as much of a dead-end as compassion without intelligence. That's why, at St. Mary's School, we foster academic excellence and empathy in tandem. Regardless of background, we help students invest in their own drive to make a difference.
A snapshot of St. Mary's School from any angle, on any day, captures the school's unique blend of visible engagement, compassionate inclusion, and genuine delight. From preschool age on, we teach students to say, "I can."

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does St. Mary's School cost?

St. Mary's School's tuition is approximately $31,300 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of St. Mary's School?

The acceptance rate of St. Mary's School is 47%, which is lower than the national average of 80%. St. Mary's School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in California with low acceptance rates.

Does St. Mary's School offer a summer program?

Yes, St. Mary's School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does St. Mary's School offer?

St. Mary's School offers 10 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, Flag Football, Lacrosse, Soccer, Surf Team, Track and Field and Volleyball. St. Mary's School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in California for most sports offered.

What is St. Mary's School's ranking?

St. Mary's School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most sports offered and Most extracurriculars offered.

When is the application deadline for St. Mary's School?

The application deadline for St. Mary's School is Jan. 6 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 6 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (2 reviews)

5 3/9/2018

This is school is a wonderful place to send your child for a private education. The teachers are so kind and really pay attention to the students needs. St. Mary's is truly home.

- Posted by Parent - -ST Marys Parent

5 11/9/2017

St Marys has been our "home" for the past 17 years!! Both my boys started attending when they were 2 years old. This being our last year (my youngest is in 8th grade) I wanted to write a review of our wonderful school so other families can benefit from this great institution. My children were surrounded by a caring community! The IB program is phenomenal. Teaching children to be global citizens, with the IB profiles. IB learners learn to be: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced & reflective. The transition into high school for my oldest was seamless. He has thrived & will be graduating high school this year. I cant say enough wonderful things about St Marys. It would be wonderful if any family could provide such an education for their student!!

- Posted by Parent - Lori Evans

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Aliso Viejo, CA is $18,276 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).