Very Good
#44 of 460 private schools in MI
Top 9% of private schools
St Mary School
Elementary School
217 S LINCOLN AVE, Niles, MI 49120
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
49
Student-Teacher
7:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
49
Student-Teacher
7:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Niles
#1 of 2
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#27 of 307
About St Mary School
ST Mary School serves 49 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in this small city setting in Niles, Michigan. With just 7 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 7:1, allowing for highly personalized attention and individualized learning experiences. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 34th out of 460 elementary schools statewide and earning a strong 8.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, placing it in the 93rd percentile among Michigan schools.
This small school environment creates opportunities for close-knit relationships between students, families, and educators. The intimate size means students often develop lasting friendships across grade levels while receiving focused academic support. Teachers can readily adapt instruction to meet individual student needs and learning styles.
The low enrollment creates a family-like atmosphere where every student is known and valued. Located in Berrien County, the school serves a community with a median household income of $59,450 and median home values around $151,300. About 21% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the local poverty rate stands at 14.7%.
ST Mary School sits in a small city environment that combines accessibility with a tight-knit community feel, offering students both educational excellence and strong community connections.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 49 students, St Mary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, St Mary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, St Mary School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow St Mary School compares to 12 public schools serving similar grades in Niles, MI
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Mary School (this school) | 7.9 |
| Ballard Elementary School | 5.7 |
| Eastside Connections School | 6.5 |
| Southside Special Educ School | 7.1 |
| WAY Niles | 6.1 |
| Niles Virtual School | — |
| Ring Lardner Middle School | 5.2 |
| Northside Child Development Center | — |
| Brandywine Innovation Academy | 5.4 |
| Brandywine Middle School | 4.7 |
| Brandywine Elementary School | 7.6 |
| Merritt Elementary School | 6.3 |
| HowardEllis Elementary School | 5.5 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in MI
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
217 S LINCOLN AVE, Niles, MI 49120
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St Mary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Moccasin Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Buchanan), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Brandywine Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 3.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Eastside Connections School (rated 6.5/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Niles, see our Niles schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NILES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Niles | 0.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Niles Comm Schools Adult Education Niles | 0.7 mi | — |
| Ballard Elementary School Niles | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Eastside Connections School Niles | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Southside Special Educ School Niles | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Brandywine Innovation Academy Niles | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Niles Senior High School Niles | 1.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Northside Child Development Center Niles | 1.8 mi | — |
| Ring Lardner Middle School Niles | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Niles Cedar Lane Niles | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| WAY Niles Niles | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Niles Virtual School Niles | 1.7 mi | — |
| Brandywine Middle School Niles | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Brandywine Senior High School Niles | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Brandywine Elementary School Niles | 3.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Merritt Elementary School Niles | 3.5 mi | 6.3 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL South Bend | 6.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Clay High School South Bend | 6.5 mi | 8.6 |
| HowardEllis Elementary School Niles | 5.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Moccasin Elementary School Buchanan | 5.1 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,940
Median Home Value
$166,800
Median Rent
$911/mo
Population
36,652
College Educated
20.5%
Homeownership
78.5%
Avg Commute
23.1 min
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Median Age
43
Community Profile
The community surrounding St Mary School has a median household income of $61,940. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,800, with a median rent of $911/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF ANN ARBOR Ann Arbor, MI | 7.9 |
| KALAMAZOO COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Portage, MI | 7.9 |
| CHIQUITOS BILINGUAL MONTESSORI Utica, MI | 8.0 |
| Bailey Early Childhood Center Hillsdale, MI | 7.8 |
| SHAJARA TAYYIBA SCHOOL Canton, MI | 7.8 |
| LUDINGTON AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ludington, MI | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St Mary School
What grades does St Mary School serve?
St Mary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend St Mary School?
St Mary School has an enrollment of approximately 49 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St Mary School?
The student-teacher ratio at St Mary School is 7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does St Mary School rank in MI?
St Mary School is ranked #44 out of 460 private schools in MI.
What is St Mary School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Mary School has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is St Mary School a private school?
Yes, St Mary School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is St Mary School a religious school?
St Mary School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 49
- Gender Split
- 51% M / 49% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 181 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- BERRIEN
- Phone
- (269) 683-9191
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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