
Saint Mary's Catholic School
Catholic, Founded 1966
Updated July 2026
Saint Mary’s Catholic School is a Catholic educational community in Henrico County, Virginia, serving students from Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade. It provides a faith-filled environment that combines academic excellence with a focus on the development of the whole child.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
Saint Mary’s Catholic School is a Christ-centered community that believes family, school, and parish share the responsibility of educating the whole child—mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The school is committed to Gospel values, Christian teaching, and Catholic traditions, with daily prayer and weekly Mass as central components of the school experience. It emphasizes critical thinking, inquiry, and discovery as core processes of learning.
Programmes
The academic programme includes Junior Kindergarten for 4-year-olds and full-day Kindergarten for 5-year-olds, followed by primary education for grades 1 through 5. Students in grades 6 through 8 participate in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme. The curriculum includes daily instruction in Language Arts, Mathematics, Humanities (Social Studies), Theology, and Science, with foreign language instruction (French or Spanish) offered in all grades. Weekly resource classes include Technology, Physical Education/Health, Art, Music, and Library Sciences.
Outcomes
The school maintains a strong academic program designed to prepare students for success in high school and beyond. Students are recognized for their accomplishments, service, and dedication through various awards, including citizenship awards. Graduates move on to attend a variety of high schools.
Student support
Learning support
The school provides student wellbeing services, including Title I services and social-emotional learning support. A school counselor and instructional resource teachers are available to support student needs. The school also maintains a clinic to manage student health, including action plans for conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and severe allergies.
Frequently asked questions(4)
- What curriculum does Saint Mary's Catholic School offer?
- Saint Mary's Catholic School offers IB MYP.
- How much is tuition at Saint Mary's Catholic School?
- Annual tuition at Saint Mary's Catholic School is $11K–$12K. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
- What accreditations does Saint Mary's Catholic School hold?
- Saint Mary's Catholic School holds accreditations including IB.
- Where is Saint Mary's Catholic School located?
- Saint Mary's Catholic School is an international school in Richmond, United States.
Tuition & fees
Annual tuition by grade
2026-2027| Grade | Ages | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| JK (Catholic) | 4–4 | $11K |
| JK (Non-Catholic) | 4–4 | $12K |
| K (Catholic) | 5–5 | $11K |
| K (Non-Catholic) | 5–5 | $12K |
| Grade 1 (Catholic) | 6–6 | $11K |
| Grade 1 (Non-Catholic) | 6–6 | $12K |
| Grade 2 (Catholic) | 7–7 | $11K |
| Grade 2 (Non-Catholic) | 7–7 | $12K |
| Grade 3 (Catholic) | 8–8 | $11K |
| Grade 3 (Non-Catholic) | 8–8 | $12K |
| Grade 4 (Catholic) | 9–9 | $11K |
| Grade 4 (Non-Catholic) | 9–9 | $12K |
| Grade 5 (Catholic) | 10–10 | $11K |
| Grade 5 (Non-Catholic) | 10–10 | $12K |
| Grade 6 (Catholic) | 11–11 | $11K |
| Grade 6 (Non-Catholic) | 11–11 | $12K |
| Grade 7 (Catholic) | 12–12 | $11K |
| Grade 7 (Non-Catholic) | 12–12 | $12K |
| Grade 8 (Catholic) | 13–13 | $11K |
| Grade 8 (Non-Catholic) | 13–13 | $12K |
Source:PDFAdministration-of-Medication_08-15-22-update.pdfPDFTuition+and+Fees+Chart+2026_27.pdfPDFMCH-213G-032014.pdf
Other fees(3)
| Registration fee· $350 per child, capped at $1000 for families with 3 or more children during enrollment. Any registration fees over $1,000.00 will be deducted from the tuition balance. | $350 |
|---|---|
| Enrolment fee· Pastoral Center Support Contribution per student | $55 |
| Materials· Junior Kindergarten programming fee | $750 |
Discounts
- Sibling discount: Variable
- Full-payment discount: 1%
Admissions
Saint Mary’s Catholic School serves students from Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade. Prospective families are encouraged to contact the school or visit the website to schedule an in-person tour and begin the online application process. The school offers tuition assistance and scholarships for qualified students.
Facilities
About the campus
The campus is located in Henrico County, just west of Richmond, Virginia. It features a clinic staffed by nurses, with AEDs located in several areas throughout the grounds. The school maintains a secure environment with established carpool procedures, and recent facility upgrades have been supported by donations from the school and parish community.
Co-curriculars
The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities to enrich student life, including the Curious Creators club, Chess Club, GRSM Band and Music, and the SMCS Choir. Students may also participate in the Student Council, Scouting America, and Girl Scouts of America. Seasonal sports are available, and the school organizes special opportunities such as a France and England trip.
- Amanda EsparzaPrincipal
Amanda Esparza serves as the Principal of St. Mary's Catholic School. She is recognized for her leadership, compassion, and commitment to the school's mission.
- Robyn DahlAssistant Principal
Robyn Dahl serves as the Assistant Principal of St. Mary's Catholic School. She is noted for her leadership and dedication to the school community.
- Father Michael RenningerPastor
Father Michael Renninger is the Pastor of St. Mary's Catholic School. He provides spiritual leadership and oversees the school's mission and community.
- Anne Leigh BiseseAdmissions Director
Anne Leigh Bisese is the Admissions Director at St. Mary's Catholic School.
- Greg KamperDirector of Finance and Development
Greg Kamper serves as the Director of Finance and Development at St. Mary's Catholic School.
- Michael HicksIB Coordinator & Language Arts/Literature Teacher
Michael Hicks is the IB Coordinator and a Language Arts/Literature teacher at St. Mary's Catholic School. He also serves as a sponsor for the yearbook and newspaper clubs.
- Scott SchaeferIB MYP Language Arts/Literature Teacher & Athletic Director
Scott Schaefer is an IB MYP Language Arts/Literature teacher and the Athletic Director at St. Mary's Catholic School.
IB MYP