St. Mary's Grade School vs. St. Anne School

St. Mary's Grade School was established in 1878 as St. Mary's Academy and Boarding School, Bismarck's first school; St. Mary's served as the only Catholic School in Bismarck for nearly 70 years and as such set the standard for Catholic School education.

St. Mary's Grade School is one of five schools within the Light of Christ Catholic School system. Light of Christ Schools began in 2012.

St. Mary's Grade School offers a modern educational program in which students learn mathematics, morality, fine arts, faith and love in small classes taught by caring teachers.

The 275 children at St. Mary's Grade School have opportunities to discover themselves as scholars, leaders, stewards, thinkers and artists.

We also boast top-notch facilities that include a library, an art room, gymnasium and music classroom.

Continuing in this rich tradition, St. Mary's Grade School is committed to the mission of LIght of Christ Schools: Encountering Christ in our Catholic Faith through living, learning and serving.

Saint Anne Catholic School was founded in 1957 and staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame and lay teachers.

Educating students has always been a priority of The Church of Saint Anne.

The original school was opened with 8 classrooms and a cafeteria.

The first year 307 students were taught in our parish.

This included 235 students at Saint Annne School and 72 students at Saint Joseph School, formerly Saint Mary's MIssion, which was a branch of Saint Mary's Grade School.

Saint Joseph was later closed and those students attended Saint Anne School.

Saint Anne School believes in a faith filled Catholic atmosphere which acknowledges Christ as a foundation of the school and of the personal lives of both teachers and students.

Through this enabling atmosphere and the concerted effort of the parish, parents and faculty, the students will develop spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, and psychologically.

Thus, the Catholic school fulfill the three-fold directive of the document, To teach as Jesus DID, to build community, promote service and proclaim the message.