History and Profile
History/Profile
Maris Stella School opened in 1957. Maris Stella School provides a high quality Catholic education for students Kindergarten through 8th grade, committed to the holistic education of our students.
Our school 1s grounded in the life and teaching of Jesus Christ who gives us direction and purpose. We genuinely care for one another and we work at supporting each other—faculty to faculty, student to student and faculty to student. It is important that our students feel happy, safe, supported, and appreciated. We make every effort to instill Christian values in our words and actions. It is great place for children to grow up.
Foundations
The foundation of Maris Stella Catholic School is Jesus Christ. Upon this foundation the “4 foundation” of Respect, Responsibility, Concern for Others, and Integrity are built at Maris Stella Catholic School.
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Respect: Because we are all God’s creation, the number one school-wide policy at Catholic Mission Schools is respect. Everyone at Catholic Mission Schools is expected to show respect at all times. The Director and Principal are expected to show respect to faculty members, staff and students. Faculty members are expected to show respect to other faculty members, staff, administrators, and students. Students are expected to respect themselves and other students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Everyone 1s expected to respect the campus and school property (this includes announcements placed on bulletin boards), other peoples’ property, public property, and the environment. Failure to show respect will be dealt with immediately.
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Responsibility: Because the Mission of Catholic Mission Schools is to educate the whole human person so they can better live out their Catholic faith and the Christian call to service, everyone at Catholic Mission Schools 1s expected to live responsibly. We expect our students to grow in the area of responsibility, and we expect our faculty, staff and administrators to display and model responsibility.
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Concern for Others: Living out the Christian call to service 1s a key part of our Mission at Catholic Mission Schools. Jesus Christ himself calls each of us, as Christians, to be men and women for others. Mathew 25 reminds us: “I was hungry, and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me... I was sick and you visited me... Whenever you did this for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it for me.”
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Integrity: Catholic Mission Schools’ students are expected to be people of integrity, and are expected to act with integrity at all times. By integrity is meant that, with a developed conscience, Catholic Mission Schools’ students know in their hearts the difference between right and wrong, and will choose to do right. Catholic Mission Schools’ students are expected to be trustworthy. No real relationship — with God, with others, or with self — can deepen or last, 1f it is not built on trust.
Maris Stella School opened its door in 1957 with an enrollment of 186 from grade one to grade six, and a staff of two sisters of the order of the Maryknoll from the U.S. and six Palauan lay teachers.
Grades one through six occupied part of the parish hall and an old quoin-set hut, and later lower Maris Stella, formerly used as Mindszenty School.
In 1960, the Mercederian Sisters of Berriz (MMB) took over the administration of the school.
In 1958, the first graduating class of grade six made up of 29 students, 15 girls and 14 boys. Grade seven and eight were added in school year 1963-1964. In 1965, the first Grade eight graduation, made up of 40 students, 23 girls and 17 boys.
In 1965 a two-story concrete building was built to accommodate the increased enrollment. In 1995, additional building was built for the kindergarten students with a restroom facility and indoor play space. In 2001, the large indoor play area of the building for the kindergarten was renovated to be used for the school's library and offices for the accounting and the registrar.
Maris Stella School has a highly qualified and dedicated teaching staff. There are nine teachers in grades K-8, comprised of nine women and three men.
Academic excellence is one of the strengths at Maris Stella School. A variety of assessment methods are utilized to measure student learning. Standardized national tests, the Iowa Test of Basic Skills and Cognitive Aptitude Test, are given yearly in grades three through eight. Most students consistently score above the national averages in language, mathematics, social studies, and science. Students receive regular reports throughout the quarter. Assessments are sent home for parent signatures. Progress reports are given in grades one through eight. Report cards are given out quarterly to all parents in all grades. Parent/teacher conferences are held quarterly, but teachers are accessible upon parent request throughout the year to discuss student progress.