Admissions2025-07-31T15:12:42-04:00

Diocesan Admission Policy

The following policies have been adopted to clearly articulate how enrollment decisions will be determined. If the application is received by the deadline and student meets the school’s admissions criteria, student will be further considered for enrollment.  Students will be selected and placed in the school based on the maximum capacity of classrooms as set by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston according to the following categories in order:

  1. Currently enrolled students in good standing.
  2. Siblings of students currently enrolled.
  3. Students currently enrolled and in good standing at another school in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
  4. Catholic children of participating parishioners who are siblings or children of a graduate of the School.
  5. Children of parishioners who are registered, contributing and participating members of the School Parish (or if a central school, one of the participating parishes).*
  6. Children of parishioners who are registered, contributing, and participating members at another Catholic parish within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.*
  7. Non-Catholic students (Non-Catholic students will be enrolled or added to a waiting list in the order of applications received).

* Families can obtain a form from their parish that is to be signed by the pastor and submitted to the school  at application.

Wait List

  • Students not selected for admission due to class size limits, will automatically be placed on a wait list.
  • If an opening becomes available, students on the wait list will be given priority for those openings in the same order of preference as detailed in the Admission Eligibility protocols.
  • The wait list will exist for the current academic year only.
  • The wait list will be established after the enrollment process for the upcoming school year has ended and will terminate when that school year ends.

Wellness Policy

St. Mary’s Admission Policy

  • Under registration of the West Virginia Department of Health, all children attending school are required to provide proof of having received the following immunizations: Polio, Rubella, Rubella-Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, Tetanus and HIB.
  • They must also have a Vision, Speech, and Hearing test which is administered by the Harrison County School’s Health Nurses. All new students entering ANY GRADE from out of state must also have these tests.
  • State law requires all entering students to present a State-Certified Birth Certificate from the state of birth. County certified and hospital birth certificates are not acceptable.
  • At this time, St. Mary’s Grade School does not have facilities or services for Special Education, Learning Disorder, and Behavior Disorder programs.

Admissions Files and Forms

Questions? Contact:
Ashley Vernon
Office Management
(304) 622 – 9831
avernon@stmaryswv.org

Bus Transportation

Transportation is available to and from Marion and Lewis Counties. Marion County Transit Authority has a dedicated route for our students. Lewis County transport is provided by Notre Dame with a certified bus driver.

Additional Services

Keepers (After School Care): 2:15 – 5:15

$500hour

All Catholic families requesting Tuition Assistance from the Diocese and/or their Parishes must complete the online TAPS application by the required date of August 15, 2020 for Phase II. Diocesan assistance is not available to Non-Catholic families.

Admissions Inquiry

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Catholic Identity

Saint Mary’s emphasizes not only academic excellence, but the nurturing of spiritual and moral growth. Our students participate in a variety of religious activities throughout the school year to further enhance their religious growth.

Our day begins with school-wide prayer in the main hallway. Our morning prayer includes a reading from the Gospel, Special Intentions, liturgical seasons, and liturgical music.

In addition to weekly Mass, our students participate in All-School masses that include our adjoining high school, Notre Dame, where SMS Choir leads the congregation in song.

Each December, our students participate in a Christmas performance centering on Christ’s birth.

Athletics

There are several athletic programs available to 6th graders at SMS.   If you have a question regarding Athletics at St. Mary’s, you may contact Athletic Director Claudine Rogers or Assistant Athletic Director Diane Kinney at the Notre Dame High School Main office, (304) 623-1026. Alternatively, Mrs. Rogers may be reached at : crogers@notredamewv.org.

Cross Country

Co-Ed Soccer

Volleyball

Cheerleading

Boys Basketball

Girls Softball

Track and Field

School-Wide Events

School-wide events and activities are held throughout the year at St. Mary’s Grade School as we celebrate seasonal festivities and functions.  They include the following:

  • Celebrate Freedom Week
  • Red Ribbon Week
  • Christmas Performance
  • Santa Shop
  • Lessons in Carols
  • Catholic Schools Week
  • Kindergarten Graduation
  • SMS Variety Show
  • Sixth Grade Graduation

PARENT INFORMATION REGARDING TUITION ASSISTANCE

PLEASE MAKE THIS INFO AS WIDELY AVAILABLE AS POSSIBLE (Parish bulletins, school & parish newsletters, school & parish websites, etc.)

2025-2026 DIOCESAN TUITION ASSISTANCE PROCESS OPENS FEBRUARY 1 ST 2025.

For the 34th consecutive year, the Diocesan Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is striving to keep Catholic school education affordable for families who desire it for their children but who may need some financial assistance to make that dream a reality. Thanks to the ongoing and genuine commitment of Bishop Mark Brennan to the Catholic schools in our Diocese, funds have, once again, been allocated for distribution to families in need of financial assistance. Applying for TAP through FACTS is easy and affordable. You are encouraged to apply if your child is already enrolled or has been accepted by one of the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston for the 2025-2026 school year.

Who is eligible? Any student accepted for the 2025-2026 school year in any Diocesan Catholic school (PK thru grade 12) are eligible. Determinations are based upon a family’s degree of need relative to all other applicants.

Phase I: open to Catholic families ONLY
Phase II: open to ALL families
Phase III: open to ALL families-intended for families new to the school or have had a life-changing event.

How do I apply? Applications are made on-line. Go to www.factsmgt.com, click on “Grant & Aid Assessment” and log in. If you do not have Internet access, contact your school office for assistance.

Cost? The application fee is now $25.
Grants: Diocesan grants for families who have completed their applications and show financial need will receive up to 50% of the child’s tuition.

IMPORTANT-PLEASE READ

Phase I Deadline In order to receive notification in late May, applications (including all required April 30, 2025 documentation and payment) are to be received by FACTS by April 30, 2025.

Phase I is intended for Catholic families ONLY with children currently enrolled or already accepted for the 2025-2026 school year in any Catholic school in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. Families must belong to a parish included on the drop-down list as part of the on-line application.

Phase II Deadline In order to receive notification in August, all applications for 2025-2026 (including July 14, 2025 all required documentation and payment) MUST be RECEIVED by FACTS no later than July 14 th , 2025. Phase II is now intended for Catholic and Non-Catholic families. If an application was submitted during Phase I, please contact the school. Please do NOT submit a second application.

Phase III Deadline In order to receive notification in September, applications (including all required August 23 rd 2025 documentation and payment) MUST be RECEIVED by FACTS no later than August 23 rd.

Phase III is intended for Catholic and Non-Catholic families new to the school or who have had a life-changing event (i.e., birth, death, loss of job, major illness)

Note 1: No assistance will be available from the Diocese or from any school unless:
1. an application is completed in full (ALL questions answered) and submitted
2. all required documentation is provided, AND
3. the family portion ($25.00) of the application fee is paid by the deadline.

Note 2: ONLY ONE APPLICATION PER FAMILY should be submitted per school year. If you made an error or had a life event change, please do NOT submit a second application. Contact your principal and your application can be updated by FACTS.

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