Our History

Saint Mary Star of the Sea School has been serving the New London community since 1892. The school has been in the current school building since 1899.

Early on, St. Mary's served Irish, Italian, Polish, and French Canadian families. During the time from 1960 to the present, New London has undergone many changes, partly due to changes in economics and urbanization. Local culture and interests have greatly changed. Despite all of the changes the city has undergone, St Mary's School has remained a part of the city's history. The present enrollment of Saint Mary Star of the Sea School includes a wide range of cultures, varying religious backgrounds, and children from a variety of family settings. These days students are Latin America, Caucasian, African American, Pacific Islander, and Asian.

Times and situations have changed, but the school's original mission of message, community, and service has not only remained constant, it has responded creatively to these changing conditions. The school is now more involved in local civic activities and is aware of itself as not just a parish school, but as a part of the Norwich Diocesan School System. Qualified and dedicated lay teachers have taken over the teaching roles, which had been filled by the Sisters of Mercy for 103 years.

Saint Mary Star of the Sea School began with the purpose of providing Christian education to children already involved in parish life and understanding the basic tenets of Catholicism. The school continues in this mission, as well as facilitating Christian initiation, introducing appropriate value systems, giving direction to prayer lives, and opening young hearts to a world beyond them.