As principal of St. Mary’s School, I am privileged to be part of a rich tradition that seeks to develop fully each child who passes through our doors academically, socially and spiritually.  Centered in Christ, our school is a faith community in which each member is encouraged and expected to share his or her unique gifts with each other and with the community at large.

Our curriculum is strong, our excellence is sustained and our students succeed.  Last year our graduating students earned over $70,000 in scholarships to area private high schools.  This past January, a team of our seventh and eighth graders took first place in the Western New York region of the Future City engineering competition, earning a trip to Washington, DC to compete in the national finals.  Our Middle School was recognized for 2008-2009 by Buffalo Business First with Subject Awards in both English and Mathematics, a distinction awarded to those schools that scored in the top ten percent of all schools over a four-year period.

We also answer Jesus’ call to serve others.  Our students share their time, talent and treasure with those in need of help, participating in service projects and volunteer work benefiting St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, Habitat for Humanity, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Catholic Charities, to name just a few.

We boast a robust athletic program.  Children can participate in inter-scholastic and intramural programs in swimming, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, track and bowling, some of these programs beginning in kindergarten.

Each school year, I choose a symbol as a means of focusing the efforts of our students, faculty and parents to achieve the goals we set for the year.  This year, the symbol is water.  As a Catholic community, we are called by our Baptism to be children of God and, as such, to make a difference in our world. 

To the parents of current students, thank you for entrusting your children to us.  To those of you who are interested in learning more about the holistic education we can offer your child, I invite you to call on me.  I am always excited to share the good news about St. Mary’s School.

Sister Sheila Anne Burke OSF, Principal