St. Mary's School, Pontiac, Illinois, is a coeducational Catholic elementary school affiliated with St. Mary's Parish and the Peoria Diocese.
It is a grade school that is committed to the teaching of the Catholic faith and values from kindergarten through eighth grade.
It is a caring community where the Pastor, Commission on Education, administrator, teachers, and parents work together to ensure that children receive the finest possible education through a progressive program emphasizing religious education, basic skills, academic excellence, the fine arts, and physical fitness.
St. Mary's School is a Catholic co-educational community where human culture and knowledge illumined by Faith is shared and where students are helped to develop a sense of God, a sense of responsibility, a sense of direction, and a sense of mission.
The faculty assumes the responsibility of assisting the parents, who are the prime and foremost educators of the child, in educating the whole child while preserving each child's own individuality and uniqueness.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Top-Ranked IL School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 170 students
- Yearly Tuition: $4,780
- Acceptance rate: 99%
- Average class size: 25 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
St. Marys School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
School History
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Year Founded
1903
Student Body
Total Students
170 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
15%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
13 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
National avg.: 11:1
Average Class Size
25 students
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
See handbook on website
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Tuition rates are reviewed every spring and are subject to change yearly. Please call the school for current fees.
Acceptance Rate
99%
National avg.: 82%
Admissions Director
Mrs. Sharon A. Warfield, Principal
Sports
Total Sports Offered
5 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
8 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Altar ServersBand
ChorusJunior High Youth Group
Math TeamScholastic Bowl
Speech TeamStudent Council
School Notes
- School Motto: Strive for excellence; never settle for mediocrity.
- School Mascot: Saints
- St. Mary's School, Pontiac, Illinois, is a coeducational Catholic elementary school affiliated with St. Mary's Parish and the Peoria Diocese. It is a grade school that is committed to the teaching of the Catholic faith and values from kindergarten through eighth grade. It is a caring community where the Pastor, Commission on Education, administrator, teachers, and parents work together to ensure that children receive the finest possible education through a progressive program emphasizing religious education, basic skills, academic excellence, the fine arts, and physical fitness. St. Mary's School is a Catholic co-educational community where human culture and knowledge illumined by Faith is shared and where students are helped to develop a sense of God, a sense of responsibility, a sense of direction, and a sense of mission. The faculty assumes the responsibility of assisting the parents, who are the prime and foremost educators of the child, in educating the whole child while preserving each child's own individuality and uniqueness.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Dr. Heidi Parker, ’93 alumna/ Federal Grant Consultant for the University of Southern California
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does St. Marys School cost?
St. Marys School's tuition is approximately $4,780 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of St. Marys School?
The acceptance rate of St. Marys School is 99%, which is higher than the national average of 84%.
Who are famous alumni from St. Marys School?
St. Marys School famous alumni include: Dr. Heidi Parker, ’93 alumna/ Federal Grant Consultant for the University of Southern California.
What sports does St. Marys School offer?
St. Marys School offers 5 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Softball and Volleyball.
What is St. Marys School's ranking?
St. Marys School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for St. Marys School?
The application deadline for St. Marys School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
School Calendar
View the St. Marys School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:
Event
Date
First Day of School (Full Day)
August 17, 2026 (Monday)
Spring Break
March 22, 2027 (Monday)
Last Day of School
May 21, 2027 (Friday)
Nearby Private Schools
The nearest high school to St. Marys School is Dwight Baptist Academy (18.0 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is Grace Christian School (1.1 miles away)
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Grace Christian School
(Christian)
1314 E Indiana Ave
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 419-2030
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 419-2030
1.1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 39 students
Pontiac Christian School
(Christian)
18034 N 2100 East Road
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 842-1322
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 842-1322
5.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 32 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition listed
300 S West St
Odell, IL 60460
(815) 998-2194
Odell, IL 60460
(815) 998-2194
9.9 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 70 students Tuition listed
Salem Ranch Junior Senior High School
All-boys | Alternative School (Christian)
15161 N 400 East Rd
Flanagan, IL 61740
(815) 796-4561
Flanagan, IL 61740
(815) 796-4561
11.8 miles
Gr: Inquire with school | 14 students
401 N Clinton St
Dwight, IL 60420
(815) 584-3182
Dwight, IL 60420
(815) 584-3182
18 miles
Gr: K-11 | 24 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
401 N Clinton St
Dwight, IL 60420
(815) 584-3182
Dwight, IL 60420
(815) 584-3182
18 miles
Gr: K-11 | 24 students
Heritage Preparatory Academy
(Christian)
202 West Green St.
Roberts, IL 60962
(217) 249-2282
Roberts, IL 60962
(217) 249-2282
29.8 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 16 students Tuition listed
Midwest Christian Academy
Alternative School (Christian)
2905 Gill St # A
Bloomington, IL 61704
(309) 663-4477
Bloomington, IL 61704
(309) 663-4477
30.6 miles
Gr: K-12 | 35 students
Bloom Community School
Alternative School
1100 N Beech Street, Bldg #11
Normal, IL 61761
(309) 808-1192
Normal, IL 61761
(309) 808-1192
30.9 miles
Gr: K-10 | 35 students
Central Catholic High School
(Catholic)
1201 Airport Rd
Bloomington, IL 61704
(309) 661-7000
Bloomington, IL 61704
(309) 661-7000
31 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 295 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Grace Christian School
(Christian)
1314 E Indiana Ave
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 419-2030
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 419-2030
1.1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 39 students
Pontiac Christian School
(Christian)
18034 N 2100 East Road
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 842-1322
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 842-1322
5.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 32 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition listed
300 S West St
Odell, IL 60460
(815) 998-2194
Odell, IL 60460
(815) 998-2194
9.9 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 70 students Tuition listed
401 N Clinton St
Dwight, IL 60420
(815) 584-3182
Dwight, IL 60420
(815) 584-3182
18 miles
Gr: K-11 | 24 students
106 S John St.
Dwight, IL 60420
(815) 584-2400
Dwight, IL 60420
(815) 584-2400
18.3 miles
Gr: PK-4 | 55 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Grace Christian School
(Christian)
1314 E Indiana Ave
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 419-2030
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 419-2030
1.1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 39 students
Pontiac Christian School
(Christian)
18034 N 2100 East Road
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 842-1322
Pontiac, IL 61764
(815) 842-1322
5.2 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 32 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition listed
300 S West St
Odell, IL 60460
(815) 998-2194
Odell, IL 60460
(815) 998-2194
9.9 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 70 students Tuition listed
106 S John St.
Dwight, IL 60420
(815) 584-2400
Dwight, IL 60420
(815) 584-2400
18.3 miles
Gr: PK-4 | 55 students
St. Michael The Archangel Catholic School ![St. Michael The Archangel Catholic School Photo]( "St. Michael The Archangel Catholic School Photo")
(Catholic)
410 S Park St
Streator, IL 61364
(815) 672-3847
Streator, IL 61364
(815) 672-3847
19.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 173 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 6 Tuition listed
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Hudson Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
205 S Mclean St
Hudson, IL 61748
(309) 557-4419
Hudson, IL 61748
(309) 557-4419
9086.9 miles
Gr: K-5 | 216 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Flanagan Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
202 E Falcon Hwy
Flanagan, IL 61740
(815) 796-2261
Flanagan, IL 61740
(815) 796-2261
9090.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 197 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Flanagan-cornell High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
202 E Falcon Hwy
Flanagan, IL 61740
(815) 796-2291
Flanagan, IL 61740
(815) 796-2291
9090.5 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 106 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Epg Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
403 Mclean St
Gridley, IL 61744
(309) 747-2156
Gridley, IL 61744
(309) 747-2156
9091.5 miles
Gr: 5-8 | 345 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Kimes Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1207 Reading St
Streator, IL 61364
(815) 672-2926
Streator, IL 61364
(815) 672-2926
9093.4 miles
Gr: PK-2 | 415 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
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