School of St. Mary Adds Third Junior Kindergarten Section for Fall

School of St. Mary, a Preschool–8th grade Catholic school in Lake Forest founded in 1917, will open a third Junior Kindergarten section this fall, expanding its early childhood program to meet growing family demand.

According to the admissions office, the expansion reflects rising interest from local families. The school has recently seen steady growth in its early childhood programs due to its warm community, strong academics, and faith foundation.

For more than a century, the School of St. Mary has educated generations of Lake Forest children, many of whom return as parents themselves to give their children the same experiences. School leaders point to a close-knit community, one built around small class sizes, teachers who know every student by name, and a Catholic education that weaves faith and character into everyday learning as a driving factor behind St. Mary's continued growth.

"Dropping my son off at the School of St. Mary each morning has quickly become a highlight of our day," said Kristina, a parent. "The teachers and staff are always so welcoming. They have created a warm, engaging environment that allows him to grow in all ways. My son is always excited for his day. Watching him make new friends, learning numbers and ABCs, and hearing about how much fun he had at school has made us so grateful that he attends a school with such a nurturing and engaging environment."

School of St. Mary operates two campuses in Lake Forest — the Primary Grade Center for PreK through third grade, and the Upper Grade Center for grades four through eight. The school is a three-time National Blue Ribbon School, recognized in 1990, 2012, and 2020, and is affiliated with the Church of St. Mary and the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The School of St. Mary educates the whole child by remaining faithful to its motto: To Learn, To Serve, To Lead. Since 1917, parents, faculty, staff, administration, and clergy have worked as one body to this end.