Our History
September 23, 1957, was a momentous event, creating the foundation for a rich history of providing a strong Catholic education in the Farmington Valley for over 65 years.
In 1957, Father John Weldon established St. Mary’s School. On September 23rd, the doors opened with 98 children enrolled in grades 1 through 3. The dedication of a second unit of classrooms in 1959 made way for the additional enrollment of students in grades 3 through 6. In June 1963, St. Mary’s School celebrated it’s first graduating class.
Enrollment continued to grow in the 1960s and in the early 1970s the Home and School Association for SMS parents was established. The seventies also saw the creation of the Parish Council, School Board and the first basketball team!
In the 1980s, the St. Mary’s School community enjoyed more expansion with the first Kindergarten class enrolled for the 1983-1984 school year and the dedication of a new Parish Center/Gymnasium in 1987. Technology made its debut as computers were introduced in middle school.
PreKindergarten was welcomed to SMS in 1991 and the first dedicated computer lab for students was put in place in 1993. The 2000s continued to look toward the future with the installation of SmartBoards, a renovated science lab, and iPads for every student.
In 2018, we received recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, celebrating and exemplifying St. Mary’s School’s commitment to our student’s academic achievement and success.
Expansion in 2019 saw the completion of the Campus Connection, providing 2 new classrooms and a tutoring room. This structural connection between the church and the school cemented the strong sense of community that makes St. Mary’s Church and School so special.