St Mary Star Of The Sea School

Posted: February 11, 2020

We have had a great experience at SMSS so far in our first year here! We felt very welcomed right away and the teachers took the time to get to know our children. I feel that we can bring up any issues or concerns easily. Love the small class sizes, extracurricular activities offered and the waterfront classroom! The school feels like a big family.

Posted: February 11, 2020

The amount of homework our 6th grader has is significant and sometimes a struggle to complete.

Posted: February 11, 2020

Teachers are open to trying different strategies to help each student learn and they provide consistent communication with us regarding behavior or academic issues.

Posted: February 11, 2020

Strong focus on teaching moral values and encouraging students to
do what’s right, help others and to do their best!

Posted: February 11, 2020

The principal is an extremely patient and caring person who strives for fairness.

Posted: February 11, 2020

Posted: February 11, 2020

The teachers and staff are very aware of any situations of possible
bullying and there is zero tolerance.

Posted: February 7, 2020

Posted: February 7, 2020

Posted: February 7, 2020

Posted: February 7, 2020

Terrible, don’t waste your money here. If you child is not normal or is being bullied they WILL be kicked out. There are way better schools out there. Do your researcg

Posted: February 7, 2020

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Posted: February 7, 2020

Posted: November 18, 2019

Ten out of Ten! I love St Mary's so much. My son loves everything about his school. The staff are so friendly and always find a way to give back to the community. They offer so many activities for the family. After school care is available. Some parents offer carpool. It is such a wholesome and happy environment. The student are all very close to one another and look out for each other.

Posted: November 18, 2019

All teachers use google classroom which allows you to keep track of all classwork and homework. You can also email any teacher directly if you have any questions.

Posted: November 18, 2019

Every teacher at the school knows my son by name. They are attentive and positive every day. They are willing to stay afterschool when students need extra assistance or give both parents and students other options for extra help.

Posted: November 18, 2019

At St Mary's students learn about their community and giving back. They are taught to be kind even when others aren't kind to you. They are taught the commandments and the beatitudes from a young age.

Posted: November 18, 2019

All teachers at this school are respectful toward each other and the administration office. Students are given weekly tasks (monitors).

Posted: November 18, 2019

We have always been given learning options when my son has had difficulties. They are patient and consistent with suggestions in order to help.

Posted: November 18, 2019

They have a zero tolerance for bullying. It is not acceptable and they always address any potential incidents immediately.

Posted: November 18, 2019

We adore SMSS and could not be more happy with our children at the school. We are a military family and the warm, welcoming, family-oriented nature of the school has made this duty station a home. The entire faculty and staff make sure to know and care for each and every child and the school culture and community is wonderful. We love this school!

Posted: August 21, 2018

10/10 awesome I love this school it is the best one I have ever been to.

Posted: August 21, 2018

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Posted: August 21, 2018

Posted: February 26, 2018

This school is great. One of the best choices I've made as a new parent. I love the idea that my child is happy and has no worries of the world. He is learning how to be a responsible student and is learning a lot for his age. With the curriculum at St. Mary's and what we do at home my child will be well prepared for kindergarten. The faculty and staff is welcoming and caring. You can see the love they have for our children. You will never have to worry about your child feeling safe and secure at SMSS.

Posted: February 26, 2018

My child is in PK so this does not apply.

Posted: February 26, 2018

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Posted: November 13, 2017

Posted: November 13, 2017

Posted: November 13, 2017

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Posted: November 13, 2017

Posted: November 13, 2017

Posted: November 13, 2017

This is my family's 9th year (between two children) at SMSS. I love the teachers and sense of community, which make the school a wonderful little gem. My children have been encouraged to grow beyond their academic comfort zones. Small class sizes mean that the teachers know the children inside & out. Academic, personal, and spiritual growth all occur. The staff is supportive and encouraging. The children understand respect and work ethic. This is a wonderful school!

Posted: November 8, 2017

This is our fourth year at St. Mary’s and we absolutely love it. From day one there was something different about this school and it’s faculty and staff. You feel like part of a family. Our daughter has excelled both academically and spiritually here. We have never had any issues. All of her teachers have been absolutely outstanding. She loves it and so do we.

Posted: November 8, 2017

Our daughter is in first grade and her homework takes less than 30mins (when she stays focused lol).

Posted: November 8, 2017

Posted: November 8, 2017

Posted: November 8, 2017

Posted: November 8, 2017

Posted: November 8, 2017

I chose neutral because I have never heard of bullying being an issue at the school. These kids are taught better than that here.

Posted: July 11, 2017

I'm neutral about St Mary's effective approach to homework...as a matter of fact they, St Mary's, take homework so seriously that my daughter comes home with a ton of it....Not only do I have to work an exhausting 8 to 10 hour days but now I got to come home and spend about 2 hours with my daughter to help her with all her home work. honestly i cant relax anymore...oh well....

Posted: July 11, 2017

I never have to worry or think about my child during the day when i drop her off for school. I have met with all the teachers that my child has learned with and they are fantastic folks. I strongly believe that St Mary's teachers have their students interest on their minds.

Posted: July 11, 2017

Dude! you're kid will become an Angel - No joke, guarantee it! My child is so courteous and respectful to others that I have started to "up" my game...and I was prior military...

Posted: July 11, 2017

Posted: July 11, 2017

Posted: July 11, 2017

Never heard of any bullying in St Mary's the whole time my kid went there. Why is this even a rate. Bullying? Really? Please, I was bullied when I was a kid, I learned to fight back or have better "come backs"...develops character....My kid will learn to be not so sensitive...she not a bully and guaranteed will never be...and if shes ever bullied she will learn to stand up for herself...this way she can cope in the REAL WORLD.

Posted: July 11, 2017

Top Notch! My kid loves St Mary's and so do I.

Posted: June 17, 2017

Posted: June 17, 2017

Posted: June 17, 2017

Posted: June 17, 2017

Posted: June 17, 2017

Posted: June 17, 2017

Posted: June 17, 2017

After our first year at Saint Mary Star of the Sea School, I can safely say that I don't regret a penny that I spent. This is an amazing school with a warm and welcoming environment. Our oldest, who graduated from 8th grade this year, wishes he could go back... and this is a kid who never much cared for school until this last year.

The teachers have excellent communication with parents and the environment is warm and loving. Not only did my children receive a rigorous education, but they learned, too, the values of self respect, humility, charity and honor. They grew as good citizens and learned so much more than ABC's and 123's.

Take a tour of this school. It was certainly the best decision that I ever made for my own children.

Posted: June 6, 2017

Posted: June 6, 2017

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Posted: June 6, 2017

Posted: June 6, 2017

St Mary has a great learning environment with caring faculty and staff. It is right on the water which gives hands on marine science curriculum.

Posted: May 24, 2016

Posted: May 24, 2016

Posted: May 24, 2016

My kids have attended Saint Mary Star of the Sea School since they were 4 yrs old, and now I have one graduating 8th grade and one in the 6th grade. Each year I saw my two kids grow into their faith, grow in confidence, and grow in knowledge. My kids love St. Mary's and looked forward to attend school each day. Class sizes were small so the kids became close, like a family. Teachers guided them and made time to provide individual attention. When my kids started school there, I thought they would just attend PK and then move on to public school, but each year they would learn something new about our faith and would share it with me so as they grew in faith so did my husband and I. We were sold on the school. St. Mary's has helped shaped my daughter to be a strong and confident leader who will continue to be a servant of God and her community. I also foresee, her brother following in that direction as well. St. Mary's has been a major part of my children's life and I thank all the teachers who have helped me raise such responsible and respectful children.

Posted: February 19, 2016

St. Mary offers an education which teaches critical thinking and encourages the development of moral values. It is a small school with a personal touch, seeing each student as a gifted, valuable, and loved child of God.

I have watched both of my daughters grow academically, spiritually, and socially. The school and the teachers truly care about my children and want to see them reach their full potential. We are truly blessed to have such a well rounded and sound academic program in a caring environment for our girls. We also love the fact that the school has the kind and loving presence of the sisters.

Posted: February 19, 2016

Posted: February 19, 2016

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Posted: February 3, 2016

Posted: February 3, 2016

Posted: February 3, 2016

Posted: February 3, 2016

Saint Mary's provides a quality education in a safe, friendly environment. They genuinely want what is best for their students.

Posted: February 3, 2016

Posted: February 3, 2016

Posted: February 3, 2016

Posted: February 3, 2016

My family and I are a second generation to attend St. Marys. Due to the growing classroom sizes and lack of teacher aids in Hampton City public schools, my husband and I opted to place our son at Saint Mary's. There are half as many children in his class than in public schools, and a teachers aid. The school also has a wonderful level of diversity. Even in Pre-K his teacher sends home weekly activities to help keep students ahead of the learning curve. I am extremely pleased. Don't hesitate to take a tour of their beautiful facility and meet their welcoming staff. You won't be disappointed.

Posted: April 27, 2015

St Mary's School is the best thing to happen for our daughters' education. Our oldest graduated 8th grade with 5 high school classes and our youngest is thriving because of the individual attention she receives on a daily basis. This is the best money we've ever spent. When middle schoolers love going to school, you know they're doing something right!!!!

Posted: March 9, 2015

We love the middle school and its teachers! The academics are outstanding - our child will graduate with 5 high school credits. The classes are small enough to get individual attention and also enable plenty of hands on learning. The school has been a great place for my child and I would recommend it to anyone.

Posted: May 11, 2014

I moved here recently and due to large classroom sizes, decided to enroll my daughter at St. Marys. Enrolling my daughter there was one of the best decisions we made. The teachers are great and the children love the marine science program. Our daughter came in reading at grade level and now reads 3 grades above her level due to her teachers dedication. We absolutely love St. Marys.

Posted: November 14, 2013

We sent our son to Pre-School here and unfortunately, will always regret it. His teacher was dishonest and ill-equipped to handle the children. She tampered with his grades and the school made excuses for it. We were told by the end of the year, he wasn't "ready" for Kindergarten (we sent him to Kindergarten elsewhere). Now years later, he is an honor student and is gifted. Pre-School should be a fun, nourishing time for young children. Instead, our experience at St. Mary's was stressful and negative. As a parent, it caused me plenty worry and sleepless nights.

Posted: November 5, 2013

Saint Mary's is a great school. I know many families that have children there and look forward to when I can send my granddaughter to the school. The new Marine Science program is a great example of how this school incorporates new ideas into the curriculum. I like the fact that the Sisters are running the school and that students get to grow in their faith with the religion classes and weekly mass. One parent told me that their child is going to leave middle school with credits for high school in Science, Math, History and Spanish. What a great start to high school for the Saint Mary's students. I also worked with a graduate of the school and she had fond and lasting memories from when she attended Saint Mary's. I only wish that I had been here in the area when my own daughters were going to school as I would have gladly sent them to Saint Mary's.

Posted: November 5, 2013

I have two children who currently attend St. Mary Star of the Sea School and they love it. I love the fact everyday they are taught about their faith and that all the teachers are friendly and helpful. Since We first started there everyone has always made you feel like you part of a family. We all love the school. It is a great school!!

Posted: October 14, 2013

Sadly, I cannot recommend St. Mary Star of the Sea, particularly the Junior High program. Ultimately, communication was poor between the parents and teachers and the treatment of our boys was unacceptable. As parents, we often felt disrespected, and undermined. Some of the teachers were truly unkind and unprofessional. We felt our children were not flourishing and the spirit simply wasn't alive there. I also believe some of the academics have begun to slip, especially in Math over the past year or two.

Posted: May 20, 2013

My niece is a Pre K student at St. Mary Star of the Sea School. It is important to me that she is happy with her teachers and that she is secured with her surrounding and environment. Like all the parents, I want positive experience for her in all aspects of learning and also introduction to religion. She is 4 years old, she is curious and she is wise for her age, and all she ever talks about is her school. During weekends she asks to go to school. She is anxious when Monday morning arrives so that she can go to school. I have had the opportunity to meet with some of the staff members while visiting Virginia and I feel very comfortable and at ease with the decision to have enrolled her into this school. I am forever grateful that we have found a school that is suitable for my niece. Thank you.

Posted: May 11, 2012

I am very please with St Mary Star of the Sea School. The emphasis on religion is great and remaining loyal to the magesterium of the Church is outstanding. The environment is safe and the Sisters are great! With the addition of the marine science program, the school is well equipped to educate children in both matters of faith and morals as well as the skills necessary to be successful in the world today.

Posted: November 7, 2011

All of my children have attended saint marys since kindergarden. One has graduated to peninsula catholic and have three to go. All the sacrifices that we make is all worth it for our childrens education. I thank all the sisters and teachers at saint marys for the morals,love and catholic education that is continually taught to all. Friendships between the childrens teachers and their peers are bonds that will forever be remembered and cherished. As well as mine with all at saint marys. In my eyes, this school is the best in all of the world.

Reviewed: January 21, 2014

Saint Mary Star of the Sea is close to Norfolk or JBLE (Langley/Eustis). When we attended, parents commuted from Chesapeake, also. The small classes suited us well, and the office is very military-friendly.The campus is all gated-in, and they are right on the water, where they have a living shoreline, which helps the kids study local ecology right there on campus! It is affiliated with the church on Fort Monroe, though attendance at that particular church isn't mandatory. There are girl scout/cub scout/boy scout programs affiliated with the school,and the school allows the kids to wear their scout uniform instead of the school uniform on certain days, which is nice. They even have an after school program and a summer "camp" program, which is handy when the school calendar doesn't match up with the base so the CDC camps haven't opened yet.