Mary Star High: What Sets Its Catholic Model Apart Today
What Is Mary Star High?
Mary Star High is the common shorthand for Mary Star of the Sea High School, a private Roman Catholic coeducational secondary school located in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1954 by the parish of Mary Star of the Sea, the school operates under the supervision of the Department of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and is run by Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. It serves the Los Angeles Harbor community with a college-preparatory curriculum interwoven with strong Catholic principles, offering a four-year honor track and maintaining an average class size of 21-24 students.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Year/Source |
|---|---|---|
| Students enrolled | 406 (grades 9-12) | 2026 |
| Student-teacher ratio | 14:1 to 15:1 | 2020-2026 |
| Tuition (highest grade) | $10,800 | 2026 |
| Graduation rate | 100% | Annual |
| College-bound (Class of 2020) | 98% | 2020 |
| A-G requirement completion (Class of 2020) | 97% | 2020 |
| Financial assistance awarded | $2 million | 2020-2021 |
Historical Context and Marist Connection
Although Mary Star High is Archdiocesan-operated rather than directly run by the Marist Brothers, its educational philosophy aligns closely with Marist pedagogy through its emphasis on Catholic identity, community formation, and holistic student development. The school was originally coeducational, transitioned to a girls' school in 1959 with the creation of Fermin Lasuén High School, and became coeducational again in 1971 after absorbing Fermin Lasuén students. The campus moved from 8th Street to a new facility on Taper Avenue in fall 2007, marking a major investment in modern learning environments.
In 2006, Mary Star of the Sea was named one of the top 50 Catholic high schools in America, validating its academic rigor and Catholic identity. On June 10, 2021, the girls' basketball team won the school's first CIF-Southern Section championship (Division 4-AA), defeating Agoura 54-50 in a standing-room-only crowd.
Academic Program and AP Offerings
The school delivers a rigorous college-prep curriculum with an honor track option and small class sizes that enable personalized instruction. Advanced Placement courses include:
- AP Calculus
- AP English Literature
- AP European History
- AP Government
- AP Spanish Language
- AP Environmental Science
- AP Physics
- AP U.S. History
This breadth of AP offerings supports the 97% A-G completion rate achieved by the Class of 2020, positioning graduates for competitive university admission.
Catholic Identity and Values-Driven Education
Catholicism is identified as Priority #1 at Mary Star High, with the school's mission centered on challenging students to reach their full human potential through a living faith in God. The four pillars-Catholicism, Character, Curriculum, and Community-guide daily school life and decision-making.
The school integrates faith through regular religious education, sacramental life, and service initiatives such as the MSHS Pet Food Drive and Relay for Life fundraiser. These programs embody the values-driven approach that forms students' moral character alongside academic achievement.
Admissions, Tours, and Engagement
Families interested in Mary Star High can access multiple admissions pathways:
- Book a private tour (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM) conducted by Mrs. Flaum, Registrar
- Participate in "Star For A Day" to shadow a current student for a partial or full day
- Attend mandatory fall sports meetings for incoming 8th graders
Visiting students must wear their 8th grade uniform or nice pants with a solid-color polo, and lunch is provided.
Why This Matters for Catholic Education Leaders
Mary Star High demonstrates how a parish-operated Catholic high school can sustain academic excellence, strong college outcomes, and vibrant Catholic identity over 65+ years. For school administrators and policymakers in Latin America and Brazil studying Marist-aligned models, Mary Star offers a concrete case study in balancing operational efficiency, faith formation, and measurable student outcomes within an Archdiocesan framework.
Everything you need to know about Mary Star High What Sets Its Catholic Model Apart Today
Is Mary Star High a Marist school?
No, Mary Star High is not directly operated by the Marist Brothers; it is run by Mary Star of the Sea Parish under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. However, its values-driven pedagogy-emphasizing Catholic identity, community, and holistic formation-closely aligns with Marist educational principles.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mary Star High?
The school maintains a 14:1 to 15:1 student-teacher ratio, with average class sizes of 21-24 students, enabling personalized attention and academic support.
How much is tuition at Mary Star High?
Tuition for the highest grade is $10,800 as of 2026, with approximately $2 million in financial assistance awarded in 2020-2021 to support access.
What is the graduation and college-going rate?
Mary Star High reports a 100% annual graduation rate and 98% of the Class of 2020 enrolled in college, with 97% meeting UC/CSU A-G requirements.
When was Mary Star High founded and where is it located?
The school was established in 1954 by the parish and is located in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, on a campus on Taper Avenue since fall 2007.
