INSPIRING HOPE FOR THE FUTURE St. Mary’s School SCHOLAR PROGRAM
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We are indebted to all of you for this great opportunity.
We ask God to forever bless you and your families, to guide you, and keep you.”
— Current Scholar Family
Donor Impact Report 2025 THANK YOU! ST. MARY’S COMMUNITY
At St. Mary’s, we believe a single opportunity can transform a life. Thanks to your generosity, the Scholar Program continues to open doors for deserving students and their families, giving them access to a St. Mary’s education and a community that sees their full potential.
Your investment in the Scholar Program creates hope for these remarkable middle school students, their families and for our entire school community.
For these families, it means the chance to watch their children flourish in an environment that nurtures their gifts, challenges them to grow, and inspires them to dream bigger. Together, we are cultivating confidence, leadership, and a love of learning that will ripple through generations and shape lives for years to come.
One of our recent Grade 8 graduates shared this heartfelt letter with our donor community:
Dear Donors,
I am writing to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping pay for my education. Because of you, I can keep learning and not worry about money. This means so much to me and my family. You have helped me get the education that my parents wanted for me. I like going to school and learning about new things every day. I want to do well in my classes. Your help made it possible for me to be here. Now, I can focus on being a good student and doing my best work.
I promised to take this chance seriously. I paid attention in class, did all my homework, and tried hard on every test. I wanted you to be proud of me. When I grow up, I hope I can help other students too, just like you helped me. Please know that your kindness doesn’t just help me with school, it gives me hope. It shows me that good people want kids like me to succeed. I will never forget what you’ve done for me. Thank you again for making my education possible.
I hope one day I can meet you and thank you in person. Until then, please know how grateful I am. One day, when I’m older, I hope to help other kids like you’re helping me. That’s how I want to say thank you by passing on your kindness. My parents say education is the best gift. Because of you, I’m getting that gift every day. Thank you for believing in me and my future.
“ This was a precious gift for all of us. It changed our lives. ” — Scholar Family
$1,000,000+
Raised Since 2019 Inception through the generosity of our community from past Galas, donations from Grade 8 families, alumni families, and current families.
$37,200 Raised In 2024-2025
Since its founding in 2019, the Scholar Program has become a cornerstone of St. Mary’s mission to make an exceptional education accessible. This year, we are proud to share key updates made possible by your support. includes giving from the Class of 2025 families.
2 New Scholars joined us in 2024-2025, bringing our total to six students thriving in Grades 6 through 8.
5 Alumni are continuing their success in high school: three freshmen, one sophomore, and one junior.
3 Scholar Students Graduated in June 2025, joining a growing group of alumni now excelling in local high schools.
4 Scholars enrolled for 2025-2026 including one new student entering Grade 6.
8
Students Recieved Scholarships valued at $105,000 each, covering tuition & essential extras like transportation, books, athletics, & international Field Studies.
THANK YOU CLASS OF 2025
At St. Mary’s School, the tradition of the graduating class contributing a collective gift to the Scholar Program is a powerful way for families to leave a lasting legacy and set an inspiring example for future classes. Each year, families are invited to give a gift tied to their graduating year—in this case, $2,025—to support this meaningful tradition. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the families who participated, helping to ensure that the Scholar Program continues to thrive.
A Promise For A Brighter
The St. Mary’s Scholar Program was established in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley and with the generous support of our school community. Together, we welcomed our first scholars in 2019-2020, laying the foundation for a program that continues to grow.
Beyond scholarships, St. Mary’s has expanded its collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club to support more children in our community. Over the past three years, St. Mary’s has provided school materials, art supplies, games and sporting equipment, averaging $600 annually in donations. Students from the club have been invited to our campus for our Spring Musical, art and PE classes, outdoor activities, and sports camps—creating meaningful opportunities for connection and learning.
We are excited to deepen these partnerships and inspire even more students in the years to come.
As we prepare for the future, we are committed to enhancing programming and strengthening partnerships with local community organizations to identify and engage more mission-fit families who would benefit from this life-changing opportunity. To ensure the Scholar Program remains sustainable for generations to come, we are also working toward building a fully endowed fund that will provide permanent support for these scholarships. Together, we can create a lasting legacy of access, equity, and educational excellence.
If you’d like to make a gift to support the Scholar Program or help us reach our goal of a fully endowed fund, please visit www.smaa.org/scholar.
This year, our Scholar Program students embraced every opportunity to grow and contribute to our campus community. They demonstrated determination in building their academic skills, excelled in athletics, and developed leadership qualities that will carry them forward.
Many of our scholars arrived ready to take on new academic challenges and, with support from dedicated teachers and enrichment opportunities, have blossomed into confident, capable learners. Others stepped into leadership roles, serving as Student Ambassadors and representing the school with pride. Across campus, our scholars are active in sports participating in cross country, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and track. All are engaging fully in Field Studies and Intersession trips.
Each student’s journey is unique, but they all share a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to be part of this community and are thriving in ways that extend far beyond the classroom.
We are proud to now have five St. Mary’s scholars attending local high schools and are happy to hear about their successes. We continue to stay in touch with them and support their high school journey.
To all who contributed to the Scholar Program this year: thank you. Your generosity fuels more than scholarships—it nurtures dreams, fosters leadership, and inspires the next generation to aim higher.
Please scan the QR code below to view our full list of 2024-2025 Scholar Program donors and confirm your listing. All contributions made during this school year will also be recognized in our annual Report on Philanthropy this fall. For updates or corrections, please email us at development@smaa.org
