St. Mary's roots go back to 1876 when St. Agnes Academy opened as a boarding and free day school for girls, grades 1–12. The faculty then consisted of seven Dominican Sisters and 95 students. Since that beginning, St. Mary's growth has been reflected in the need to change locations five times to its present location of on North El Dorado Street. A separate corporation sole within the Diocese of Stockton, St. Mary's is a co-ed secondary school that has a student body of 926 and a faculty and support staff totaling over 110. St. Mary's High School has had a religious presence of Priests, Brothers, and Sisters throughout its history. The Dominican Sisters of San Rafael have been joined by the Brothers of Mary, a number of Franciscan Friars, diocesan priests, the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Lay men and women have contributed to the strengthening of the school's curriculum. The faculty teach in 10 disciplines, offering over 130 courses in theology, English, social studies, mathematics, physical education, science, computer resources, foreign languages, business and vocational arts, and fine arts. There are also 27 cocurricular activities and teams in 15 sports.
Campus
The school is located on North El Dorado Street, east of San Joaquin Delta College and north of the University of the Pacific. Located on are five classroom buildings, a cafeteria, student store, two gymnasiums, a football field, track facilities, and baseball and soccer fields all located within the Thompson Sports Complex. There is a residence on campus for the priests and brothers associated with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. The Cortopassi Aquatics Center, which opened September 2007, is home for the St. Mary's Aquatic Sports Program. The Chase Family Fitness Center, a weight-training facility, supplements the Sprague Family Athletic Building. The school enrollment is usually under 1,000. Approximately 81% of the student body identify themselves as Catholic. The faculty consists of 4 religious and 110 lay teachers and support staff. The student–faculty ratio is 24/1 with the average classroom size being 25.
Academics
There are ten departments at St. Mary's from which students choose their required and elective courses: Theology, English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Physical Education & Health, Science, Computer, Foreign Language, and Fine Arts. In addition, students may take courses for high school and college credit at San Joaquin DeltaCommunity College or University of the Pacific. Advanced Placement courses are offered in American Literature, English Literature, Chemistry, European History, U.S. History, U.S. Government, Psychology, Calculus and Biology. Honors courses are offered in Algebra, Biology, Chemistry, English, Geometry/Trigonometry, Physical Science, Pre-Calculus and World Literature. As part of the religious focus of the school, each student is required to participate in a Community Service program upon graduation.
Admission
Admission to St. Mary's is selective and based on a placement test, previous school record and recommendation. Transfer students are accepted on an individual basis after consideration of their high school transcripts and interviews. St. Mary's draws students from 64 local elementary and junior high schools.
Co-curricular activities
St. Mary's hosts clubs and organizations focusing on creativity, leadership, scholarship, and service. Student athletes compete in the Tri-City Athletic Association in football, volleyball, water polo, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, basketball, wrestling, baseball, softball, cross-country, track, swimming/diving, badminton, and golf.
Band
Saint Mary's High School features two main bands who play throughout the area and the state at competitions such as The Lincoln Band Review and The Heritage Festival in Anaheim, California.
