Frequently Asked Questions

St. Mary's Academy will accept applications for select grade levels for the current academic year.  The application process for the next academic year is also underway. Please contact the Admissions Office at Admissions@smanet.org or 303.762.8300 for more information about the application process for the current school year.

The process typically begins the fall prior to a student's academic year enrollment. Depending upon the grade level for which you seek admission, the process and timeline can vary slightly. Please click here to learn about specific entry points.

A member of the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS), St. Mary’s Academy meets rigorous accreditation standards and adheres to the Principles of Good Practice articulated by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Founded by the Sisters of Loretto, St. Mary’s Academy is self-governed by a Board of Trustees and is not affiliated with a parish, but does maintain a cordial relationship with the Archdiocese of Denver. We honor our heritage in the Catholic tradition and continue to be strongly rooted in the Loretto School Values of Faith, Community, Justice, and Respect. These Values shape our school’s character and culture, making St. Mary’s Academy such a special and unique place to be. We warmly welcome children of all faith traditions; approximately 50 percent of the student body is Catholic, while 50 percent of families represent other faiths, which allows the school community to celebrate the shared Loretto School Values, embrace differences, and learn from one another.

The most successful students at St. Mary’s Academy are hardworking and intellectually curious. They also seek to pursue their passions in the classroom and beyond. Focusing on the whole child, St. Mary’s Academy strives to provide an educational program that enables students to balance academic rigor with formation in the four Loretto School Values of Faith, Community, Justice and Respect. This includes engaging in the visual and performing arts, athletics, and community service among other enrichment opportunities.

Nearly 700 students attend St. Mary’s Academy. This includes approximately 220 in the co-ed Lower School, 210 in the co-ed Middle School, and 260 in the all-girls High School. Approximately 36 percent of students are male in grades Pre-K-8. Students attend from nearly 70 zip codes in the Denver Metro area. Approximately 30 percent of students represent racial and/or ethnic diversity. Nearly 50 percent of students are Catholic while half of families represent other faith traditions. Annually, St. Mary’s Academy awards approximately $2 million in need-based scholarships to 21 percent of the student body. One hundred percent of students participate in community service activities and embrace the Loretto School Values of faith, community, justice, and respect.

St. Mary's Academy is not currently accepting applications for international students who intend to enroll independently with a student visa.  

The office hours of St. Mary’s Academy are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the academic year. Summer hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The school hours are as follows:

• Pre-Kindergarten 8:05 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.*
• Lower School: 8:05 a.m. to 3 p.m.*
• Middle School: 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for grade 6 and 3:45 p.m. for grades 7 & 8*
• High School: 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.*

*Every Wednesday is a late start, for faculty professional development, with each school starting at 9:05 a.m.

Yes! Click here to access more information about the before and after-school programs for students in grades Pre-K-8.

Consistent with the school’s academic mission for students to be powerful agents of change, travel and experiences beyond the classroom are important in the educational program at St. Mary’s Academy. From local field trips and community service to class camping retreats and international experiential learning opportunities, students are encouraged to become global citizens and recognize their capacity to make a difference in the community and the world.

Specifically, Lower School grade 4 and 5 students enjoy ECO Week at the Colorado State mountain campus each fall.

Middle School grades each celebrate the start of the new academic year with a day-long mountain retreat at distinct locations. In the spring, grade 6 travels to Golden Bell, grade 7 attends Keystone Science Camp, and grade 8 travels to Washington, DC. 

In High School, each academic year begins with an all-school retreat at Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, CO. Throughout the year, selected student delegations travel to the United Nations Status on Women Conference in New York, as well as to the Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, KY and to El Paso, TX to meet with peers from fellow Loretto schools to discuss matters on the U.S.-Mexico border. Each year, the World Languages Department also sponsors an international language immersion trip to a Chinese, French or Spanish-speaking country.  We also have faculty that develop international trips relating to different areas of academic content. Two examples of this are the Galapagos Islands and the United Kingdom. We also provide trips for students to FVS Mountain Campus for a star-watching experience, Washington DC with the Model United Nation student group, several local places for DECA competitions, and one city in the United States every year for the Student Diversity Leadership Conference. 

The average class sizes are as follows:

• Lower School: 15-20
• Middle School: 15-18
• High School: 18-20

In Lower School, all students learn Spanish, which is among the special class rotations each day.

In Middle School, students may take either Spanish or French.

In High School, students may choose from Spanish, French, Mandarin, and American Sign Language, including AP Chinese, AP French Language and AP Spanish Language.

One hundred percent of St. Mary’s academy alumnae enroll in their first or second-choice college/university. With a well established college counseling program, SMA alumnae are prepared to attend their college/university of choice, many being top-tier institutions across the country. Further, SMA alumnae consistently receive multiple merit-based scholarships for college. Click here to learn more about college counseling and to see a full list of where last year’s graduating class is now enrolled.

Yes!  The High School Placement Test typically occurs the first Saturday in December. 

• When available, registration takes place through your admissions portal.
• Students may take the High School Placement Test at any Catholic high school in the Denver-metro area on this date. Those who take the test at St. Mary's Academy will be eligible for the St. Mary's Academy Merit Scholarship! Students must indicate SMA as her first choice school, complete all admissions application materials by December 15 for new 9th grade applicants, and submit required scholarship application materials by December 15 as well.  Finalists will be notified by the SMA Admissions Office that they have met these requirements and will receive an invitation to interview with the Merit Award Committee at the end of January 2022.  Award notifications will be communicated with admissions decisions on February 18, 2022. The award for 2022-2023 is $3,500.
• ISEE is also accepted for High School admission. To register, click here.

While St. Mary’s Academy does not offer transportation to and from school, we recommend participation in Way to Go, a free program to help connect families who live in proximity to one another for carpools. In addition, many students utilize public transportation to get to campus. The #24 city bus stops right in front of campus on University Blvd. St. Mary’s Academy does utilize a fleet of activity buses to transport students for field trips, community service, and athletics activities that may take place during the school day.

St. Mary’s Academy utilizes a catered lunch provider, Grateful Plate, for Lower and Middle School food service. Students may opt in/out of this fee-based program as desired. Students may also bring their own lunch from home.

The High School operates a food store called SMArket that is open during the lunch period. In addition to basic snack and beverage options, the SMArket contracts with local eateries to offer hot food options each day. A monthly SMArket schedule is available under High School Resources. High School juniors and seniors may take advantage of an open-campus lunch period with permission from High School Principal Iswari Natarajan.