School type Public high school Principal David Cromer Enrollment 226 | Established 1895 Grades 7-12 Campus Urban | |
St. Marys High School is a fully accredited public high school located in St. Marys, Kansas, serving students in grades 9–12. St. Marys High School is the only high school located within the city limits of St. Marys, Kansas. The school colors are blue and white and the school mascot is the Bear. The average annual enrollment is approximately 300 students.
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St. Marys is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association and offers a variety of sports programs. Athletic teams compete in the 3A division and are known as the "Bears". In 2009, the athletics program was ranked as the top athletics program in the state of Kansas according to Sports Illustrated. Extracurricular activities are also offered in the form of performing arts, school publications, and clubs.
History
District 39, St. Marys, was formed in 1869. A parochial school started in 1881. The frame building was moved from the "hill" to 5th Street in 1887 and a new, stone structure was dedicated in 1893. A transportation system, developed in 1909, consisted of a team and wagon to meet students crossing the river by ferry. Old St. Marys High School was built in 1931 across from the current swimming pool on Lasley Street. The public and parochial schools merged in 1946.
In 1966, St. Marys, Rossville, Emmett and Delia became one district, USD 321, Kaw Valley.
The 1978 bond issue brought about the construction of a new building at 601 E. Lasley, on the old Jesuit college grounds. Students moved to the new building in 1981. The football field was added in 1982 and the track in 1983.
Old St. Marys High School was torn down in 1983, and the shop addition was turned into a senior citizens center. Old Hill School was sold to the city in 1982 and razed in 1983.
The first graduating class of St. Marys High was the Class of 1899, thus making the graduates from the Class of 1998 the 100th graduating class.
Athletics
The Bears compete in the Mid-East League and are classified as a 2A school, the fifth-largest classification in Kansas according to the Kansas State High School Activities Association. Throughout its history, St. Marys has won multiple state championships in various sports. In 2009, the athletics program was ranked as the top athletics program in the state of Kansas according to Sports Illustrated. Many graduates have gone on to participate in Division I, Division II, and Division III athletics.
School Publications
The school newspaper is known as the Press Paw and is a member of the High School National Ad Network. The current newspaper advisor is Brittany Birch.