St. Marys School

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 Stats (2025)

  • 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

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Year Founded
1903
First Day of School
Fri. Aug 15, 2025
Last Day of School
Mon. May 25, 2026

Student Body

Total Students
170 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
15%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
St. Marys School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
13 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
National avg.: 13:1
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.: 81%
Admissions Director
Mrs. Sharon A. Warfield, Principal

Sports

Total Sports Offered
5 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
8 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Altar Servers, Band, Chorus, Junior High Youth Group, Math Team, Scholastic Bowl, Speech Team, Student 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
Spring Break
March 30, 2026 (Monday)
Last Day for 8th Grade
May 19, 2026 (Tuesday)
Last Day of School - 11:30am Dismissal
May 22, 2026 (Friday)

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • 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

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Illinois is $11,178 for elementary schools and $15,719 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Illinois is 84% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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