About Our School

We believe that St. Michael School is a great gift to the parishes and community of Frostburg as well as the Church of Baltimore. We endeavor to educate the whole child in an atmosphere where the student may experience living and learning in the light of the Catholic faith.

St. Michael's encourages the student to become sensitive to the needs of others in our parishes, local community, and the world. We provide opportunities for response to this Christian awareness through service. Ever mindful of the glory of God's creation, we guide the students as they grow in appreciation of human dignity and diversity.

St. Michael School is a visible sign of the Catholic Church in the community. It serves the needs of the students from St. Michael's, St. Mary's, St. Patrick's, St. Ann's and St. Joseph's parishes. The ideals of Christianity, repsect, caring, concern for others, understanding, and compassion are emphasized. The school instills in the students a wide range of values, morals, ideals, and examples which reflect teachings of the Catholic church. The school provides a bond pastors, teachers, parents, students, and the community.

The goal of academic excellence is enhanced by a dedicated, qualified, and competent faculty open to new ideas and methods, and the consideration of each student as a individual by the pursuit of excellence even in extracurricular activities. Our teachers expect our students to work to their potential. Through the teachers' ongoing professional growth, they continue to find new materials and explore better methods to meet the needs of the students.

St. Michael School challenges the students academically by offering a well-organized, well-rounded of study. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities offer students opportunities for the challenges and rigors of further education.

Each student is encouraged to look at him/herself individually and strive to be the best person he or she can be. The entire staff affirms each student so that he/she can build self-esteem and instill in our students what is socially acceptable behavior through a variety of social activities.

The school provides a physical education, art, and music period once each week for all students. Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade students are instructed by a qualified member of our staff.

Through attendance and active participation at Mass, prayers, and religion classed, priests, faculty, students and parents share the richness of their Catholic faith. We instill in our students the means to follow Christ in the modern world.

School policies are clearly stated in the student and teacher handbooks. These policies are upheld by the administration, providing fair and consistent discipline. The policies are reviewed yearly by the faculty.

To acquire the necessary skills needed as the students progress form grade to grade, most of the subect areas use the same series of books for consistent scope and sequential learning. Textbooks and programs are reviewed periodically by the principal and faculty to ensure that the texts provide the most current material.

Twice yearly each teacher is formally evaluated by the principal. These evaluations are conducted in confidence with the teacher by the principal. The teachers informally evaluate and vary their methods of teaching in order to reach the varied learning styles of the students.

At St. Michael School, there exists an environment of mutual support and caring among pastors, principal, faculty, students, and parents. This mutual support makes St. Michael a pleasant and happy learning environment for each student.

Saint Michael School was founded by Father Stephen Clark in 1891. A group of Ursuline nuns, whose Mother House was in Kentucky, arrived and opened the school. In 1903 the Kentucky Ursulines were replaced by the New York Ursulines. The New York nuns remained until 1942, when they were replaced by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

At the beginning of the 20th century, St. Michael School continued to see a large enrollment. Classes of fifty, sixty, or more were not unusual at this time.

One of the most important events relating to the school in the 1950's was the formation of the P.T.A. The most devastating event in the history of the school was the fire that almost destroyed the building in the winter of 1968. About noon on Sunday, January 7, during a fire inspection, fire suddenly broke out in the school. The Allegany County Board of Education offered the use of the old Beall Elementary School for the 345 children, eight teachers, cafeteria and custodial staff, who moved into it about a week later.

When Lawrence Cardinal Shehan met with members of the parish and Father Montgomery, Pastor, the majority favored building a new school. Construction started immediately, and when the renovation was completed in February, 1970, St. Michael School was practically a brand new building. The final event in the fire and rebuilding period took place on Sunday, March 1, 1970, with the "Dedication and Open House of the Rebuilt Building." It was presided over by Father John Reinsfelder.

In 1986, the Kindergarten was opened in space provided in the former convent. The computer science program began in February, 1988. During 1991, a year-long celebration was held in honor of the school's 100th Anniversary. A Pre-Kindergarten Class for four year-olds was added in 1995, and Pre - School began in 2002.

Applications for admittance are usually taken in February. Contact us for more information.

Pre-Kindergarten applicants must be four years old by December 31, verified by Birth/Baptismal Certificate

Kindergarten applicants must be five years old by December 31, verified by Birth/Baptismal Certificate

Conditional Acceptance-Transfer students whose academic behavior/testing records and results indicate potential difficulties at St. Michael may be accepted on a trial basis at the discretion of the principal. These will be removed from student's folders if the student's effort and commitment result in satisfactory achievement.

This section contains some general information with regards to our curriculum. For any questions, please contact us.

The kindergarten grading system consists of N for needs help; G for making progress; and a check mark when the skill is mastered.

Spanish is offered at St. Michael School for grades K-5. The classes are given twice a week. Primary grades learn their primary color words, anatomy words, songs and games in Spanish. Upper grades have a more in depth study and implement their vocabulary with art projects.

The Catholic School Library Media program is an integral part of the total Catholic School curriculum, reinforcing skills, beliefs and doctrines taught in a formal classroom setting. Pre-K through grade 3 attend library media class weekly with grades 4-5 experiencing two periods weekly.

Science Education: We acknowledge that Science is the pursuit of wisdom as we struggle to interpret God's unfolding creation. The Science discipline enables students to apply the processes and content of science to solve problems, improve life, and appreciate natural phenomena. Our curriculum is designed to stimulate curiosity and to develop morally responsible, scientifically literate citizens.

Catholic schools provide students with knowledge of the Church, world, and global family. According to the American Bishops, Catholic schools offer the fullest opportunity to realize the four-fold purpose of Christian education: to proclaim the Gospel message, build Christian community, participate in liturgical worship, and live a life of service to others. Gospel centered, the school systematically transmits knowledge in the light of faith. It is concerned with cultivating the student's intellectual, creative, and aesthetic gifts and developing in them good judgment, values, attitudes and behavior.

A Catholic school leader is dedicated to the development of a values oriented curriculum, and the creation of an environment in which all are helped to grow. By providing opportunities for catechesis, prayer, liturgical worship and service, as well as a strong program, the leader demonstrates an understanding of the specific character of Catholic education as centered in the mission of Jesus. In fulfilling this obligation, the Catholic school teacher is responsible for complying with federal and state laws, as well as agreed upon archdiocesan policies.

The teachers in the Catholic school are called to accept and live the Christian message. In addition to academic excellence and professional competence, teachers recognize a fundamental tenet of their position: the development of a community of faith within which the message of Jesus is proclaimed and received. Additionally, all school personnel are obligated to conform to certain federal and state laws, which are contained herein. Archdiocesan policies guide the conduct of the teachers and provide support to them as they live out their mission.

Each child is a unique creation of God. A Catholic school develops and celebrates the unique gifts that each child possesses and, in doing so, provides programs that develop the whole child. These programs are presented in an atmosphere of trust and acceptance which challenges and motivates each student. In this environment, the student becomes an active participant in building the Kingdom of God. Federal and state laws and agreed upon Archdiocesan regulations for student services are given first priority in Catholic elementary and secondary schools.

The school, in transmitting the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, designs a program of religious education in which all students participate. In doing this, the Catholic schools are assisted by Archdiocesan regulations which guide the religious education of the students. While priority is given to welcoming families of the Roman Catholic tradition, those of other faith traditions are also welcome. Members of other traditions are informed about the philosophy of the school and its specific Catholic character.