Welcome to St. Mary’s!

Thank you for your interest in learning more about St. Mary’s, a premier independent International Baccalaureate school in Orange County. As you explore our website, you will see that we are grounded in our mission: World-Sized Hearts and World-Class Minds. Every day, our dedicated faculty and staff work together to deliver a balanced curriculum that challenges and engages every student.

St. Mary’s is truly a unique and inspiring place. We are privileged to educate over 700 students – from age 2 through Grade 8 – each school year. Our distinctive academic program blends rigorous, inquiry-based learning tied to the International Baccalaureate Programme with Design Thinking pedagogy, preparing students to excel in a rapidly changing world.

This is an exciting time at St. Mary’s. This year, we opened The Sillers Center, a 28,400-square-foot facility honoring our visionary founder, Father Ernest D. Sillers. The first floor is home to the vibrant Thompson Family Early Education Center, while the second floor houses our innovative Design Center, a hub for creativity, hands-on learning, and exploration.

Even before entering these new spaces, our community is greeted by the Floriani Family Park, a 40,000-square-foot outdoor area designed for recreation, relaxation, and gatherings. With lush landscaping, shade trees, and drought-tolerant plantings, the park provides a welcoming environment year-round.

At St. Mary’s, our mission is simple: World-Sized Hearts and World-Class Minds. We nurture both the hearts and minds of our students. They are inspired to inquire, explore, and understand the diverse world around them. We encourage them to ask what and why, and guide them in discovering how. Our students leave St. Mary’s ready to be change-makers, empowered to lead lives that transcend the ordinary.

Rooted in Episcopal values, our faculty and staff carry forward the vision of our founder, Father Sillers, every day. St. Mary’s education is values-based, guiding students to be kind, ethical, and ready to make a positive impact on the world.

I am proud of the experience we provide to every student. Whether you are considering St. Mary’s for your child’s educational journey or are already part of our community, thank you for visiting, and we look forward to welcoming you to campus soon.

Warmly,

Doug Patterson                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Head of School