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About St. Mary of Mt. Carmel
Catholic School

We’re so glad you’re here and interested in learning more about our mission and passion for education.

At St. Mary’s, We Work With Parents to Build A Relationship Focused On The Care, Education, Guidance, And Formation Of Each Child.

Our history

Founded in 1854 as the first Catholic school in the Diocese of St. Cloud, St. Mary’s has a long legacy of high-quality, Catholic education that has shaped generations in the Long Prairie area. 

1851

1851: the beginning

Rev. Francis de Vivaldi celebrates the first Mass in the St. Cloud Diocese in 1851 in a log cabin in Long Prairie. In 1853, the Sisters of St. Joseph arrive to teach 60 to 90 native and pioneer children.

1880

1880: Rebuilding and Expansion

After a fire destroyed the church, school and convent, the Benedictine Sisters arrived to teach in a new, frame school house in 1880.

1896

1896: Building for the Faithful

The cornerstone for the third and final church was laid in 1896 with the financial support of 50 families, providing a spiritual home for generations to come.

1906

1906: Building for the Future

The cornerstone for the current school was laid in 1906, assuring the legacy of Catholic education would continue for future generations.

2025

2025: Present day

St. Mary’s continues to serve our community with the same dedication to excellence, preserving the beauty and integrity of our century-old building.

Rooted in Christ and the Catholic faith,
we find our strength and purpose in Him. 

St. Mary’s offers students many opportunities to grow as disciples of Christ:

  • Weekly Mass 
  • Confession
  • Celebration of the Liturgical Seasons of the Church
  • Daily Religion lessons
  • Weekly classroom visits with a priest
  • Daily Prayer
  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for Preschool through 2nd grades
  • Sacramental Preparation

Over the years, our educational methods have evolved, but our purpose remains the same: to collaborate with parents as we nurture, teach and guide the development of each child. Our holistic approach to education integrates the spiritual, academic, social, and physical life of the child, helping them understand themselves and the world around them as they grow in their relationship with God and others.

Rooted in our Catholic faith, we are dedicated to nurturing both the mind and soul. Our educational philosophy integrates Montessori-inspired education, project-based learning, and conventional teaching methods within a Christ-centered environment. Through this approach, we instill a love for learning, encourage independence, and help students grow in virtue, wisdom, and their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our Approach

At St. Mary’s, a distinct combination of formation in faith, Montessori-inspired education, Project-based learning, and conventional teaching methods create an exceptional, holistic educational environment through every grade level. Our programs provide hands-on experiences that lead to deeper learning and application of academic skills across curriculum. They encourage curiosity and independence while laying important foundational skills.

Our Programs

our philosophy

Our educational approach is founded on our Catholic beliefs, guiding every aspect of our school:

We believe that our Catholic School is not
only a school, but a community of faith;

We believe that those entrusted to us are not only students, but children of God;

We believe we are not only educators, but ministers of the Gospel;

We believe the values we teach are not only character building, but a call to live a virtuous and holy life;

We believe our courses of study are not only academic pursuits, but a search for truth;

We believe the purpose of education is not only for personal gain and the development of society, but for the transformation of the world.

building a community of support & virtue

At St. Mary’s, we believe that we’re more than just a school—we’re a faith-centered community. Our teachers, staff, and families work together to nurture a child’s love for God while cultivating habits of virtue, leadership skills, and joy in learning.

Ready to become part of the St. Mary’s family?

We look forward to welcoming you into our community!