What grades does St. Mary’s encompass?
St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School offers an enriching academic program for students from 3K through 8th grade.
Does St. Mary’s accept non-Catholic students?
Yes, approximately 25% of our students are not Catholic.
What is St. Mary’s student-to-teacher ratio?
The total enrollment at St. Mary’s School is currently 235 with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 16:1.
Are all teachers certified?
All teachers at St. Mary’s School are certified or working toward certification.
What hours do children attend school?
3K through 8th grade students attend school from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Is before- and after-school care available?
Free, supervised care is available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. daily. After-school care is available until 5:30 p.m. for an hourly fee.
Do St. Mary’s students have recess?
While children of all faiths receive a well-rounded, faith-based education grounded in the 3 “Rs” – Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic, we also believe a 4th “R” is important – Recess. All grades enjoy recess daily, a time for students to both learn how to get along with others and take an unstructured break between lessons so they may have an easier time concentrating once they return to the classroom.
How does St. Mary’s ensure a safe environment for students?
Saint Mary Help of Christians Catholic School is the only completely gated elementary and middle school in Aiken. The perimeter of the campus is secured by fences, gates, and locked doors. The school also conducts monthly fire drills. All volunteers take a training class and undergo a background screening.
What sports does St. Mary’s offer?
Students in the 5th through 8th grades have the opportunity to participate in St. Mary’s sports. Fall sports include volleyball, cross country, golf, and tennis. Winter sports include bowling, pickleball, basketball, and cheerleading. Spring sports include soccer and track and field. As St. Mary’s competes in the highly competitive Augusta Aiken Middle School League, tryouts are held for basketball, soccer, and volleyball.
What is the tuition?
Current tuition rates and fees can be found here.
When will the STEM Center open?
The St. Carlo Acutis STEM Center is now OPEN!
How do I apply to enroll my children?
The first step for all families is to fill out the inquiry form HERE and a staff member will contact you!
FAQs for Preschool
When do SMP Students attend school?
St. Mary’s Preschool is a 5-day a-week program Monday – Friday with students attending school between 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Does my child need to be potty trained?
Yes, while accidents do happen, students are required to be potty trained. Pull-up training pants are not allowed.
What are the daily activities of a SMP Student?
Daily activities will include academic and religious instruction, recess, storytime, rest time, music and movement, and art.
Do SMP Students have a dedicated space?
Yes, SMP classes are self-contained and have their own outdoor playground space that is fenced and gated.
Does SMP follow the same calendar as K-8?
Yes! Preschool students will attend the same number of days and follow the same traditional school calendar as St. Mary’s School students.
Are meals and snacks provided?
No, all preschool students will need to bring a lunch and snacks with them to school daily.
Do SMP students wear uniforms?
Yes, SMP students will wear a relaxed version of St. Mary’s School uniform code. SMP students will not be required to wear belts, formal uniforms, or have logos on shirts. Families who enroll will be emailed a detailed uniform code by the end of May.
Are school supplies required?
Yes, a school supply list will be emailed to enrolled families by the end of May.
Is Before- and After-school Care Available?
Yes! For an additional fee per student, before-school care is available daily beginning at 7:00 a.m. After-school care is available 3:20-5:30 p.m. Please note that preschool extended care fees are charged at a different rate than K-8 and do not qualify for multi-child discount.
How old does my child need to be to attend SMP during the 2026-2027 school year?
To attend 3K, student must turn 3 years old by September 1, 2026.
To attend 4K, student must turn 4 years old by September 1, 2026.
Can parents volunteer?
Yes, volunteers are welcome in the classroom and through our PTO. All volunteers must undergo a background screening and complete an online training course.