St. Margaret School spans two vibrant campuses and enrolls over 700 students. The school’s infrastructure showcases both its size and purpose, with preschool to fifth grade occupying one campus and grades six to eight located three miles down the road. Even with this distance, St. Margaret sustains the warm, family atmosphere it is known for, fostering a close faith community among students, teachers, staff and parents.
“Our faith and our Catholic identity permeate our daily lives. It is the heart of who we are,” says Anna Shanahan, principal.
Faith Woven through the Day
In what ways is faith integrated into daily academic learning?
At St. Margaret, Catholic identity is not limited to just prayers and liturgies. Service and outreach are woven with learning, and academics foster each child’s growth and sense of belonging within the community and as a person of God.
Students attend religion class and also engage in discussions about faith and social justice in other subjects. They connect faith to math, social studies, Spanish and more through various creative projects. St. Margaret follows an Archdiocesan curriculum, consistently weaving faith into each day.
GRIT as a Framework
How does the GRIT framework shape student behavior and culture?
The school culture also shows up when guiding student behavior. The St. Margaret School GRIT framework (God, respect, responsibility, integrity and teamwork) supports students as they grow. Younger children celebrate their efforts with small rewards, while older students enjoy extra recess or out-of-uniform passes. At every age, the message is clear: character matters, even when no one is watching.
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Our faith and our Catholic identity permeate our daily lives. It is the heart of who we are.
GRIT guides discipline, helping students see what can be improved, not just the rule broken.
The school highlights GRIT at monthly assemblies, recognizing students by name. This creates a culture where achievement is celebrated and valued.
Technology and Digital Citizenship
How does technology support learning and responsible digital citizenship?
Technology is seamlessly integrated into daily school life. Middle schoolers use Chromebooks for their studies while younger students use iPads, and classrooms from pre-K onward are equipped with BenQ smart boards, fostering interactive and dynamic learning experiences. Two dedicated coordinators oversee the technology budget and device maintenance.
Clear guidelines accompany this access, empowering students with knowledge and confidence. Younger students complete a digital citizenship program where they learn about safety, digital footprints and responsible use. By welcoming families into an ongoing conversation about digital citizenship, the program strengthens the positive home-school partnership. Together, they nurture this vital aspect of education, helping students make good choices even outside of school.
Teachers Who Return
Most of St. Margaret’s teachers hold advanced degrees. The school employs special area teachers in technology, Spanish, PE, art and music and also encourages teachers to keep learning, offering financial support for professional development whenever possible.
Seven teachers at St. Margaret are proud alumni who chose to return and teach. Their decision reflects a meaningful, enduring connection. Having grown up and flourished in the community themselves, they are excited to give new students that same experience.
“The teachers return to give back to the community in which they grew up. We’re very proud of that,” says Allyson Hill, admissions director.
The school is rebuilding alumni connections by organizing spring events where graduates are invited back to participate. This year, the focus is on increasing engagement through these gatherings. Grandparents are also an important part of the community, supporting the school across generations.
St. Margaret is always working to keep everyone connected as one community. Catholic identity shapes each day, and GRIT reminds students that character building matters the most for holistic development.
