Mission Statement
St. Mary's Academy is a school where Christ is taught, His Blessed Mother is revered, and the young who enter through its doors are inspired. It is the determined effort of our school's faculty and staff to form our young people into future leaders of tomorrow by actively living our faith, teaching the truth and loving one another in the way of the Lord Jesus. This is the call of the Gospel and the sacred mission of our school.
Introducing St. Mary's Academy
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St. Mary's Academy in the News
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Overview
John F. Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School is excited to enter the second year of St. Mary’s Academy, a 6th through 8th grade Co-Educational Catholic Intermediate School. Kennedy Catholic is proud that our legacy, our foundation, and our spirit is with the St. Mary’s School in Katonah, founded in 1928 by the Sisters of the Divine Compassion. There is no better way to honor that legacy than to name our new school the St. Mary’s Academy and to continue the mission of developing courageous and compassionate future leaders.
The St. Mary’s Academy will reside right here on our campus in Somers. After opening in September 2022, the Academy has been integrated into our existing facilities in a dedicated wing to allow for a safe and welcoming environment. Students receive a full academic curriculum in mathematics, sciences, humanities, and theology taught by teachers devoted to their growth and development.
John F. Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School and the St. Mary’s Academy share one common mission: preparing students for a successful future by working to develop mind, body, and spirit. The addition of the Academy to our campus will provide an opportunity to those 6th through 8th grade students to receive a traditional and supportive Catholic intermediate education so that they continue to excel in high school and beyond.
Eligibility
Students currently in grades 5-7 are eligible to apply for the 2023-2024 school year. To start your application, please see the “Start Your Application Now” link at the bottom of this page. District busing to the St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) is currently available, including a Peekskill shuttle. All families can register for busing using the Non-Public Bus Transportation Form. The forms are found on your home school district website, and are required to be submitted by April 1st.
Location
St. Mary’s Academy is located in a designated wing of the Kennedy Catholic Preparatory main school building. We are located on Route 138 in Somers, New York, just off of Interstate-684. 17 School Districts provide bus service to Kennedy Catholic in the morning and after school. Several school districts provide a late bus at 5:00pm for those students who participate in after school activities.
Academic Curriculum
The St. Mary’s Academy offers the same time-tested Catholic school curriculum and values-centered education as the Catholic schools of the region and John F. Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School (KCPS). The program fulfills middle school educational standards of New York State and prepares students for CollegeBoard’s Pre AP Program. Students will also be eligible to take high school level courses in the 8th grade. With challenging academics, state-of-the-art facilities, and a beautiful campus, the St. Mary’s Academy offers a great opportunity for aspiring grade 6-8 students to be part of the KCPS educational experience.
Student Life
SMA students have extra curricular activities distinctively designed for them, such as STEM projects, the performing arts and athletics such as cross country, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track and field.
Admissions
The tuition of the St. Mary’s Academy for the 2024-2025 school year is $7,250 and a $500 activity fee. This fee is used for all extracurricular activities, including fine arts and athletics.
Staff
Our Board of Directors has built a staff of qualified and passionate educators who are dedicated to our St. Mary’s Academy students. For these individuals, teaching is a profession, a vocation, and an identity. Please see the “Administration” section of this page to learn more about our faculty and staff.
Curriculum
| English | Theology | Math | LOTE | Science | Social Studies | Electives | PE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th Grade | English | Theology 6 | Fundamentals of Mathematics | Read/Write Workshop | Topics in Science I | Global 6 | Art/Music/ STEM | PE 6 |
| 7th Grade | English II | Theology 7 | Pre-Algebra | Intro to Latin | Topics in Science II | American I | Art/Music/ STEM | PE 7 |
| 8th Grade | English III | Theology 8 | Pre AP Algebra 1 or Math 8 | Intro to Spanish | Pre AP Biology or Topics in Science III | American II | Art/Music/ STEM | PE 8 |
| English | Theology | Math | LOTE | Science | Social Studies | Electives | PE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th Grade | English | Theology 6 | Fundamentals of Mathematics | Read/Write Workshop | Topics in Science I | Global 6 | Art/Music/ STEM | PE 6 |
| 7th Grade | English II | Theology 7 | Pre-Algebra | Intro to Latin | Topics in Science II | American I | Art/Music/ STEM | PE 7 |
| 8th Grade | English III | Theology 8 | Pre AP Algebra 1 or Math 8 | Intro to Spanish | Pre AP Biology or Topics in Science III | American II | Art/Music/ STEM | PE 8 |
English
The English program of studies for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade at St. Mary’s Academy will traverse a variety of writing topics and literary genres. Students will cultivate their writing ability and grapple with complex themes as they advance through genres such as fiction, non-fiction, mythology, folklore, poetry, American literature, and British literature. The course of studies will also include a strong emphasis on the art of written expression, developing students’ knowledge and understanding of parts of speech, vocabulary, and sentence/paragraph structure.
Theology
The theology curriculum at St. Mary’s Academy engages students in a program of studies that is firmly centered on Jesus Christ and Sacred Scripture. Throughout 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, students will explore all that is true, good, and beautiful within the mysteries of the Catholic faith, the Sacraments, church history, and Revelation expressed in both the New and Old Testaments. Through this study, students will gain a foundational knowledge of the unity between faith and reason.
Mathematics
The mathematics curriculum is an accelerated program of studies which prepares students to take Pre AP Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Courses in 6-8th grade are aligned with New York State Next Generation standards, which covers a wide range of topics, including multi-step problems, algebraic concepts, linear equations, inequalities, geometry, graphing, and functions.
World Languages
The World Languages curriculum at St. Mary’s Academy includes both Latin and Spanish studies in order to prepare students for high school level coursework. In 7th grade, students will be enrolled in the Intro to Latin course, while in 8th grade, students will take the Intro to Spanish course. Both courses will provide students with a fundamental knowledge of grammar, reading, and writing so that they will be well prepared for advanced study of either language in high school.
Science
The science curriculum at St. Mary’s Academy includes various topics related to the scientific method, touching on themes in earth science, chemistry, and biology. The course of studies culminates in either the 8th grade Biology or Pre AP Biology course.
Social Studies
The social studies curriculum is based on the history of both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Starting in 6th grade, students are introduced to the development of cultures, civilizations, and empires throughout major parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. In 7th grade, students transition to learning about American History from the Colonization through the Civil War. Finally, in 8th grade students study American History from Reconstruction through the present day. Throughout their course of studies, students will learn to write research papers, prepare presentations, and complete in-depth analyses of historical events like the Civil Rights Movement and Pearl Harbor.
Electives
Electives at St. Mary’s Academy consists of a combination of art, music, and STEM courses rotated on a six day schedule. The art and music curriculum will allow students to engage in the beauty of creation and expression, while STEM courses will support students to connect faith and reason in the realms of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Physical Education
Physical education is an essential part of educating students in mind, body, and spirit. Through the physical education program at St. Mary’s Academy, students will gain a deeper appreciation for physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle, developing virtue and a deeper knowledge of themselves.
Administration
Fr. Mark Vaillancourt
A licensed Professional Engineer, Fr. Vaillancourt is currently the Vice-Chair of the Presbyteral Council and Chair of the Education Committee for the Archdiocese of New York. Fr. Vaillancourt is an adjunct faculty member of St. Joseph’s Seminary and Pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Katonah, NY.
Gregory Viceroy
Courtney Jackson
She has experience in both elementary education at BOCES and curriculum development. She is currently the Freshmen and Sophomore Guidance Counselor and a Track & Field Coach at KCPS.
Emily Machado
SMA Social Studies, English
She holds a B.S. in Middle Level Teacher Education from the University of Scranton and an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College. She also was a member of the Urban Catholic Teacher Corps at Boston College and the Aspiring Leaders program through the Archdiocese of Boston.
Christopher Tychostup
SMA History, Mathematics
Mr. Tychostup enjoys exploring new problem solving strategies during Math classes. He enjoys sharing his understanding of World and American history with his students. Mr. Tychostup is looking forward to a wonderful first year at St. Mary’s Academy.
Stephanie Dontje
SMA Mathematics, Science
She also was a member of the New York City Teaching Fellows, where she taught mathematics to inner city youth. Mrs. Dontje attended Catholic school from 1st grade too until she received her bachelor’s degree and is excited to educate the students St. Mary’s Academy in the Catholic tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose The St. Mary’s Academy?
The St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) offers the same time-tested Catholic school curriculum and values-centered education as the Catholic schools of the region and John F. Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School (KCPS). The program fulfills middle school educational standards of the NYS Board of Regents and includes regents testing, classical languages, and STEM project based education. Students will also be eligible to take high school level courses in the 8th grade. With challenging academics, state-of-the-art facilities, and a beautiful campus, the St. Mary’s Academy offers a great opportunity for aspiring grade 6-8 students to be part of the KCPS educational experience.
SMA students learn on Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School’s premier instructional technology platform which utilizes our successful and pandemic proven 1-1 iPad program and also encompasses apps such as PowerSchool and Canvas to which both students and parents have access
SMA students are enriched by classes in Theology, as well as participation in regularly scheduled Community Masses, and grade appropriate spiritual retreats. Our school’s chaplain, a priest from the Archdiocese of New York, is also readily available to students for the celebration of sacraments, counseling, and will offer a pathway to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
KCPS, in partnership with St. Joseph’s Religious Education Program, has demonstrated a safe and effective Elementary/Middle School educational experience for young people grades 1-7. That welcoming atmosphere is now extended to the students of SMA.
SMA students have extra curricular activities distinctively designed for them, such as STEM projects, the performing arts and athletics such as cross country, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track and field.
How does the KCPS facility incorporate the St. Mary’s Academy?
The St. Mary’s Academy consists of grades 6-8, and is an extension of Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School grades 9-12 on one safe and secure campus setting. The SMA students utilize a dedicated space in the west wing of the school building to ensure a safe and healthy interaction with SMA and KCPS students.
What is the tuition of the St. Mary’s Academy?
The tuition of the St. Mary’s Academy for the 2023-2024 school year is $7,750 which includes a $500 activity fee. This fee is used for all extracurricular activities, including fine arts and athletics.
Who is eligible to apply and attend SMA during the 2023-2024 school year?
Students currently enrolled in public, private or parochial schools are invited to attend an information session and take the entrance exam. Click the “Click Here for Further Information” link at the bottom of this webpage to register.
District busing to the St. Mary’s Academy is currently available, including a Peekskill shuttle. All families can register for busing using the Non-Public Bus Transportation Form. The forms are found on your home school district website, and are required to be submitted by April 1st.
What admissions requirements if any will be required for SMA?
Like KCPS, students aspiring to enter the school are required to take an entrance exam. The SMA utilize a rolling admissions platform that will open to applicants in grades 5, 6 and 7 currently enrolled in the middle school of their district or a private school. Matriculation in SMA guarantees admissions to KCPS once the appropriate course of studies has been completed. We look forward to meeting with every family interested in attending the St. Mary’s Academy.
How do I register for the entrance exam?
Eligible St. Mary’s Academy applicants are required to take our entrance exam, which will be offered every Thursday afternoon of January at 3:30pm and every second Thursday of February at 3:30pm at Kennedy Catholic.
While students are taking the exam, parents are invited to attend an information session to learn more about our school.
Please register for the exam and information session at the link on bottom of this page entitled “Click Here for Further Information”.