Average
#157 of 460 private schools in MI
Top 34% of private schools
St Mary School
Elementary School
220 W DOWNIE ST, Alma, MI 48801
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
95
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
95
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
Michigan elementary schools
#91 of 307
About St Mary School
ST MARY SCHOOL serves 95 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Alma, Michigan. This elementary school maintains a favorable 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 8 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students can receive personalized attention. The school has earned strong recognition, achieving a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking #122 out of 460 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 74th percentile among Michigan schools.
This performance indicates the school is effectively serving its student community and demonstrating solid educational outcomes. ST MARY SCHOOL operates as a regular public school in the heart of Alma, a community of approximately 13,600 residents in Gratiot County. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a working-class character, with a median household income of $53,601 and median home values around $110,300.
About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 17.4%. The school's small size allows for close-knit relationships between students, families, and staff, fostering a supportive educational atmosphere. ST MARY SCHOOL is situated in a town setting that provides students with access to community resources while maintaining the benefits of a smaller, more personal educational environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 95 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.
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 the 5 public schools in Alma, MI
Student Demographics
All Schools in Alma
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Mary School (this school) | 6.9 |
| Pine Avenue Elementary School | 7.5 |
| Alma Senior High School | 6.7 |
| Hillcrest Elementary School | 6.8 |
| Donald L Pavlik Middle School | 5.0 |
| Luce Road Elementary School | 7.8 |
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
220 W DOWNIE ST, Alma, MI 48801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St Mary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Luce Road Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pine Avenue Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, South Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Ithaca), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Alma, see our Alma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Avenue Elementary School Alma | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Alma Senior High School Alma | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| GIRESD Center Programs Ithaca | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Hillcrest Elementary School Alma | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Donald L Pavlik Middle School Alma | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Luce Road Elementary School Alma | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Eugene M Nikkari Elementary Saint Louis | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| St Louis High School Saint Louis | 3.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Carrie Knause Early Childhood Learning Center Saint Louis | 3.9 mi | 6.3 |
| TS Nurnberger Middle School Saint Louis | 3.9 mi | 4.2 |
| St Louis Correctional Facility Saint Louis | 4.2 mi | — |
| ITHACA SDA SCHOOL Ithaca | 5.9 mi | — |
| North Elementary School Ithaca | 6.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Ithaca High School Ithaca | 6.5 mi | 5.3 |
| South Elementary School Ithaca | 7.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Shepherd Middle School Shepherd | 9.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Shepherd High School Shepherd | 9.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Shepherd Elementary School Shepherd | 9.9 mi | 7.0 |
| COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ithaca | 10.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Breckenridge High School Breckenridge | 9.7 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,449
Median Home Value
$120,300
Median Rent
$795/mo
Population
13,433
College Educated
28.5%
Homeownership
73.6%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Median Age
35.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding St Mary School has a median household income of $57,449. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,300, with a median rent of $795/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| CHARLOTTE MASON COMMUNITY SCHOOL Detroit, MI | 6.9 |
| ST PAUL SCHOOL Owosso, MI | 6.9 |
| Early Childhood Programs and Services Flint, MI | 7.0 |
| FR MARQUETTE CATHOLIC ACADEMY Marquette, MI | 7.0 |
| JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lincoln Park, MI | 7.0 |
| Lincoln Elementary Alpena, MI | 7.0 |
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 6th.
How many students attend St Mary School?
St Mary School has an enrollment of approximately 95 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St Mary School?
The student-teacher ratio at St Mary School is 12:1. 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 #157 out of 460 private schools in MI.
What is St Mary School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Mary School has a composite rating of 6.9 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Alma). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 95
- Gender Split
- 40% M / 60% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- GRATIOT
- Phone
- (989) 463-4579
- 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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