Our School

Our goals for St. Mary Catholic School are to nurture the development of responsible, thoughtful citizens while strengthening and retaining our Catholic identity. In an increasingly interdependent global society we strive to create environments in which students are challenged to explore, to create, and make decisions and actively participate in and be accountable for their learning and faith development. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we guide our students toward the job of serving and loving others.

The school provides a technology supported, dynamic teaching environment which fosters the transition of students as they move from elementary into high school. The Catholic education cultivates skills through rich learning experiences. These opportunities build a strong foundation of knowledge required for living life as faith-filled scholars and citizens.

Parents and teachers, as a team, strive to develop the spiritual, academic, and social potential of the students to facilitate life-long learning.

Meet our new Principal, Deacon David Mills

I am a quarter century educator with time both in public and parochial schools mainly as a social science teacher, football/track/baseball coach and then as a building administrator and district executive. I spent the last decade of my public school experience as Superintendent / Principal of The Jasper Grade School, CCSD #17 in Fairfield / Wayne County, Illinois. I have a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Oakland City University and previously was an expert witness on school district consolidation in the State of Illinois.

My education and experience from Eagle Scout in 1990 to present has cast me as a public servant the past three decades ranging from criminal justice to education to journalism to mental health to ministry as an ordained Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church. I am here because St. Mary School had a need and I had the time, talent, and treasure to ensure this became an opportunity for advancement within Mt. Vernon and the greater Jefferson County area where I've lived for the past seven years. I am sincerely an "Officer, Gentleman, Educator, and Raconteur."

I am an unabashed fan of college football at THE Ohio State University and the Pittsburgh Steelers professionally. Furthermore, I am a volunteer Chaplain at Big Muddy River Correctional Center for the Catholic Chapel Line. Additionally, I spend my summers in New Mexico as part of the Catholic Chaplaincy Corps at Philmont Scout Ranch as part of my responsibilities as Scholarship Advisor to Catholic Scouting America. That said, I am an Eagle Scout with over 40 years in the Scouting Movement. I am about as blue-collar / middle class as you can get with a father who worked in the oil fields and a mother who was an ER Nurse before moving the family to Little Egypt and Illinois Basin in the late 1970's from the icy banks of Lake Erie in northeast Ohio. My greatest joys are my strong wife Johanna, above average son Jackson, and our troop of animal friends: Tim and Rigby our cats and Valentina our puppy. I am an avid reader, regular writer for publications on social justice, and I listen to classical to be cultured, jazz to be refined, and contemporary Americana to be aware. Finally, pie beats cake, especially if its a strawberry rhubarb pie, and no better lunch exists than at grilled BLT with kettle chips, a kosher pickle and a tall glass of lemonade.

Staff Directory

Our school is proud to have a team full of teachers and dedicated staff members who are committed to providing our students with the best educational experience possible. Our teachers are highly experienced and knowledgeable in their subject areas and are passionate about helping each student reach their full potential. We also have school administrators, custodians, librarians, and other dedicated staff members who are committed to providing our students with a safe and engaging learning environment.