St. Mary School
Founded 1950, Oak Ridge, TN
Diocese of Knoxville

Saint Mary's Parish in Oak Ridge was begun in 1943 as Catholics moved into the "secret city" of Oak Ridge to participate in the scientific research surrounding World War II. Father Joseph Siener, the first pastor, set a goal of building a church and a school for the new community. Transferred in 1946, Father Siener never realized his dream of a school, but his successor Father Francis McRedmond purchased twelve acres of land in 1949, and the school was ready to open in September of 1950 with ten classrooms serving grades one through seven, a cafeteria, a gym, administrative offices, and a teacher's lounge. By 1965 the school enrollment had reached a peak of 461 students. Since then there have been fluctuations in enrollment due to the mobility of the population served by the school, but the school and the parish community continue to respond to the changing needs of the times.

A large number of the parents of students at St. Mary's are scientists involved in the technological research facility. Their contributions have fostered the development of an outstanding program in science. Even with the high level of academic achievement that results from this connection, the children at the school have maintained a lovely simplicity. Such wholesomeness is due to the fact that Oak Ridge is still a small, simple community. The close knit bonds between students, parents and teachers provide a tremendous system of support. 

Visit St. Mary School at: www.stmarysoakridge.org