by Bea Peterson
August was a waiting game for St. Mary’s Academy Principal Maureen Daurio. She was impatient for the school year to begin. Last week it did, and she is excited. “Two years ago we started preparing for the new State proficiency exams with professional development assistance from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany,” she said. “Last year the teachers transformed how they taught. They brought learning alive! This year will be even better.”
[private]”With classes averaging 11 students each, the teachers are able to develop relationships with them, understanding their strengths and their struggles,” she added. The school also uses looping, where one teacher will have the students for two years. “When they return for the second year, the teachers knows exactly what they learned the previous year.”
St. Mary’s Academy averages 125 students from pre-k through grade 8. The pre-k program for three year olds is a full day/five day a week program, with After Care available.
In recent NYS Assessment Results, 49% of St. Mary’s students met or exceeded proficiency levels on the ELA assessment compared to 31% statewide, and 53% met or exceeded proficiency on the math assessment compared to 31% statewide.
The school has a 95 percent retention rate. “We have strong parent/student relationships,” she said. “And we couldn’t do it without the help and support of Immaculate Conception Church and the community.” Financial aid is available to families who are interested in the school and need the additional help.
This year there will be several Apple TV projectors in the classrooms, in addition to the iPads® the students will be using for the second year.
New Faces
SMA has four new teachers this year. Beth Griffin is teaching pre-k3, Maurica McKee will be teaching kindergarten, Erin Peeney, second grade and Katelynn Bornt, fifth grade. McKee, Peeney and Bornt are Hoosick Falls residents.
The school year began with an Ice Cream Social on Thursday, August 29. Then, of course, there is the always fun event on October 13, the famous SMA Cow Plop.
St. Mary’s Academy is still accepting registration for the 2013-2014 School Year. Call 518-686-4314 today for a tour or email mjdaurio@yahoo.com.
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