St. Mary’s Catholic School is an accredited Catholic school located in Bird Island, Minnesota since 1898 (read more about our rich history). St. Mary’s School is part of the New Ulm diocese and Heart of Jesus Area Faith Community churches that consist of four communities: St. Mary’s Parish in Bird Island, St. Aloysius Parish in Olivia, and St. John’s Parish in Hector, and the Holy Redeemer Parish in Renville.
Serving Students in Renville, Kandiyohi, and Redwood Counties
St. Mary’s School is a Catholic faith-centered school serving approximately 77 families and 136 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Our students are from Olivia and Bird Island, as well as surrounding communities as far as Willmar, Redwood Falls, and Sacred Heart. In addition, St. Mary’s School is the home to Play Island Pre-school for children ages 3-5.
The Cost to Educate a St. Mary’s Student
The cost to educate one student at a Minnesota Public School is $11,464 (as of 2017). Even though St. Mary’s School offers an exceptional Catholic-faith centered education in a private school, it costs us only $6250 a year to educate one student. This cost is covered by tuition, fundraising/donations, and subsidies from St. Mary’s Parish.
- The total cost to educate a St. Mary’s student is covered by tuition, fundraising, and donations, and subsidies from St. Mary’s Parish. The cost to educate a student at St. Mary’s School is approximately $6250 a year.
- St. Mary’s School tuition per child, per year is $2850 (2019-2020 school year) and slightly less for families with multiple children attending the school, which is approximately 44% of the total education cost.
- We count on the generous donations and support of our many fundraising events to pay for 32% of the education cost St. Mary’s School.
- Since the St. Mary’s Parish pays for 24% of the education cost for St. Mary’s School, the offertory and tithing from parishioners is so important to our future. We are so grateful for every offering from collections at mass, as supporting St. Mary’s Parish directly supports St. Mary’s School.
Your financial support of St. Mary’s School through mass offerings, donations, and fundraisers are so appreciated! With help from our community, parishioners, and alumni, St. Mary’s School can continue day-to-day operations and keep our technology, curriculum, and facility up-to-date without increasing tuition drastically.
Every little bit of support helps and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
- Learn more about the many ways to donate to St. Mary’s
- Learn more about St. Mary’s Annual Fundraising Events
- Learn more about why families choose St. Mary’s School
