St Mary's

About

St. Mary’s School is located at 8909 Mary St, Chilliwack, BC V2P 4J4. Established in 1948, it is a co-ed Catholic independent elementary school (Kindergarten–Grade 7) operating under the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese, with faith woven into daily school life through prayer and regular Mass.

At a Glance

School type: Independent School (Chilliwack)

Education language: St. Mary’s offers French language exposure in all grades. The school also notes that international students come for the opportunity to be immersed in the English language and that students receive support in English Language Arts; the school’s Literacy Support Program provides focused instruction for students developing English language and literacy skills.

Religious affiliation: St. Mary’s School is a Catholic independent school operating under the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese. The school describes its mission as sharing Catholic Church teachings, nurturing a love of God, and supporting the development of the whole child, with prayer and Mass as regular parts of school life.

Grades: K-7

Phone: 604 792-7715

Email: dweberg@saintmarysschool.ca

Principal: Jeanine Sallos

Education Languages

St. Mary’s offers French language exposure in all grades. The school also notes that international students come for the opportunity to be immersed in the English language and that students receive support in English Language Arts; the school’s Literacy Support Program provides focused instruction for students developing English language and literacy skills.

Religious Affiliation

St. Mary’s School is a Catholic independent school operating under the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese. The school describes its mission as sharing Catholic Church teachings, nurturing a love of God, and supporting the development of the whole child, with prayer and Mass as regular parts of school life.

Programs and Services

**Arts (Choir / Spring Musical)** St. Mary’s offers a Spring Musical (with roles open to intermediate grades) and a Choir for Grades 4–7 that sings at school Masses and special occasions. **Physical Education** Physical Education is taught by a specialist teacher and is designed to help students build fitness skills, participate in team and individual sports, and develop a positive community. **Applied Design, Skills & Technology (ADST)** Students participate in weekly ADST activities to build curiosity, creativity, and practical life skills, including areas such as cooking/foods, sewing, building/creating, and outdoor activities. **Student support / Inclusive Education, Learning Assistance & Literacy (including English language and literacy support)** Students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) receive targeted support aligned to their plan goals. The school describes a safe, caring, inclusive environment supported by Educational Assistants, and provides a Literacy Support Program with guided practice in speaking, listening, reading, and writing for students developing English language and literacy skills. **International Student Program** International students may apply for full-year or short-term options; the school notes students are immersed in English and receive support in English Language Arts, and are invited to participate in school activities, sports, music, and clubs. **Athletics and extracurricular sports** **Clubs & leadership / service** St. Mary’s lists clubs such as Dance Club, Chess Club, and Art Club, as well as a Faith Altar Server Club (Grades 4–7). Students also participate in Community Outreach and a Grade 6 service club called Kids Who Can, focused on faith-rooted service and leadership.

• Cross Country
• Soccer
• Tripleball
• Basketball
• Track and Field

School Culture and Expectations

The school emphasizes belonging and community (“This is where you belong”) and describes a mission focused on developing the whole child spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally. It highlights a safe, caring, and inclusive environment that supports diverse learning needs and a multicultural community where students from varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds are welcomed. The school also acknowledges it is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Ts’elxwéyeqw and Pelólxw Tribes of the Stó:lō peoples.

Enrollment

The school directs families to complete the applicable K–7 family registration package and return it to the school office, and to contact Mrs. Netzlaw in the school office for registration. For Preschool and Junior Kindergarten, families are directed to the Preschool page and can contact Mrs. Chiappetta with questions. International students are asked to submit the International Student Application and Registration Package and supporting documents, and to contact the school for details and fees.