HOLY FAMILY – ST. MARY’S SCHOOL

Our Mission: All Saints Catholic Schools Network is rooted in the rich intellectual and spiritual traditions of the Catholic Church. We cultivate an environment of virtuous learning through knowledge of Faith and academic rigor. We provide opportunities for students to become disciples of Christ who serve their community with compassion.

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OUR LOCATION

1001 17th Ave S.
Grand Forks, ND 58201

SCHOOL HOURS

Monday – Friday
8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

CONTACT US

(701) 775 – 9886
Acarter@hfsmschool.org

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LEARNING AT HOLY FAMILY - ST. MARY'S

Holy Family – St. Mary’s Catholic School prides itself on individualized learning, strong faith-based education, and fostering strong relationships between the school and home. Our students learn leadership skills by leading weekly mass and treating others just as Jesus would.

We are a small school with big results. We offer a quality education experience where we educate the whole child – BODY, MIND, and SPIRIT. While we are fortunate to live in a community of good schools, at Holy Family – St. Mary’s, we integrate faith, service, and education to provide your child with a one-of-a-kind education.

HFSM students are encouraged to grow in their faith, service, and spirituality. Formal religion is taught in the classrooms, and priests from Holy Family and St. Mary’s Catholic Churches come in once a week to meet with our students. We have a weekly student-led school Mass, which many parents and parish members choose to attend because of the inspiration it provides for each of us. Our goal is to help our students apply their faith to their daily lives.

We have an amazing school community. Our families are very involved with the school, which creates a fun and supportive atmosphere where families know and care about one another. In addition to regular academics and faith education, our students receive training in the arts, music, health, physical education, and technology.

EDUCATION IN VIRTUE

Theological virtues are gifts from God. Our students start each day with morning prayer together, where each week we learn about and discuss our catholic virtues.

Prudence
Justice
Fortitude
Temperance

ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM

Art
Band Grades 4 & 5
Health
Language Arts
Library
Math
Music
Physical Education
Reading
Religion
S.T.E.M.
Science
Social Studies
Spelling

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DOWNLOAD THE FAMILY PORTAL APP

Stay connected and informed wherever you are. The All Saints Catholic School Holy Family – St. Mary’s Family Portal app gives you instant access to your child’s grades, assignments, and attendance, plus real-time school announcements, calendar events, and important updates. Receive notifications straight to your phone, making communication with teachers and staff seamless, effortless, and always at your fingertips.

District Code: HF-ND

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Our School Programs

From preschool and childcare to afterschool enrichment, discover programs that support your child’s growth academically, spiritually, and socially.

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From Our Principal | Amanda Carter

Greetings Future Holy Family – St. Mary’s Families,

It is an honor to introduce myself as the principal of Holy Family – St. Mary’s School! I hope this note finds you well!

In addition to being an educator, I am first and foremost a mother and wife. Our children, Lukas, Adelyn, and Owen, all attend school in the All Saints Catholic Schools network and at Sacred Heart across the river. My husband, Ed, has been an important part of our school community as a former school board member and has also helped us with technology in the school during his free time from his job with the Attorney General’s Office of North Dakota.

Our goal is to continue the tradition of faith and excellence here at HFSM. We are committed to exploring new ways to meet the needs of all students and to effectively communicate with parents and community members. HFSM has been my home for many years and I feel so blessed to be able to continue my work in an administrative role as we continue to grow and improve in our future. I am so excited for the opportunities it will bring for your child at our small but mighty school! With all of us working together, we will be able to accomplish anything! “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” Psalm 133:1.

In closing, please know that my door is always open to you. I heartily welcome your conversation and positive input throughout the year. Let us always keep our students and God the primary focus of our work. I am honored to be able to work in such an outstanding school and I look forward to many more years of success together!

God Bless,
Amanda Carter

From Our Pastor | Father Bill Gerlach

Greetings,

Enjoying the peace of knowing that God exists helps us through each day. Exploring and developing a working knowledge of this faith helps for an eternity. Every day at our schools your children are led down a path of knowledge and wisdom which brings us closer to everything that we need in life.

All Saints Catholic school system is a place where this all happens. The everyday nuts and bolts of learning become reality for the peace we need. Teaching your children to know God, Love God, and serve Him in life is such a monumental gift we offer. Bringing your children to this excellence not only helps them but should give you a great feeling of contentment as the primary educators of your children. Your gifts of sacrifice are the icing on the cake when it comes to the growth and development of each one of your children. Being well rounded is a great start to life and the reality of having your children experience this has to be something that excites you.

Give us a look to see exactly how they learn book knowledge and the reality of God’s presence in a harmonious relationship. This idea of knowledge and wisdom should bring a peace to your mind and heart knowing your sacrifice is worth the effort.

Hope to see you soon as a part of our wonderful school system.
Fr Bill Gerlach

From Our Pastor | Father James Gross

Greetings and Peace in the Lord!

Welcome! We are grateful for your interest in the wonderful gift of Catholic education!

The first parishes in the Grand Cities made a bold investment many years ago in passing on the Faith to their children through Catholic schools. We warmly remember the legacy left by religious sisters, priests, lay people and volunteers to make this dream a reality. Countless families have been supported and enriched because their sons and daughters had the resource of Catholic education available to them.

Now we embark on a new era with the forming of All Saints Catholic Schools and the resumption of a middle school program, beginning in the fall of 2025. There is a lot of work ahead of us, but the commitment on the part of all our stakeholders has gotten us off to an exciting and strong start. We hope to include you and many others in this journey of continuing to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

May God protect your family and steer them ever closer to faith and virtue!
Fr James Gross

Learn About The

History of Holy Family - St. Mary's School

1929

St. Mary’s Catholic School opened in February 1929 as an extension of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and served the Grand Forks community for 75 years. The Saint Joseph nuns served St. Mary’s School when the school opened. Over the years, there were 70 nuns who taught and 16 Saint Joseph’s principals. Saint Mary’s School colors were purple and gold.

1961

Holy Family Catholic School was established in 1961 as an extension of Holy Family Catholic Church.

1962

The school opened to 275 students in grades 2-8 in September 1962. The Sisters of Saint Francis from Hankinson, ND, and two laywomen ran and lived at the school. As the years passed, Kindergarten and 1st grade were added, and grades 6-8 were put in middle schools.

2005

In 2005, Holy Family Catholic School and St. Mary’s Catholic School merged to become the HFSM School we know today. When the former St. Mary’s Saints joined the Holy Family Cardinals, the halo was added to the cardinal mascot to represent the joining of the two schools. The former St. Mary’s School building now houses St. Mary’s Early Childhood Center.

TESTIMONIALS

See What Others Are Saying...

“It feels like a family. With the smaller environment, the students and teachers get to know one another even if they are not in the same class.”
Sam & Jorge E.

“Holy Family - St. Mary's Catholic School embodies the characteristics of a strong, well-rounded education that we envisioned for our children. This small school environment has provided a safe place for our children to grow in their faith and love for God while receiving a quality academic experience.”
Maura & Marcus T.

“Each day, as we drive home, we discuss good things that happened while at school. It's fun to hear the stories of kindness, compassion and love that come from
them while on our ride home. Some days it's helping a friend clean up a spill, some days it's being the morning message helper, some days it's about adding a loved one to the prayer board. Good things are happening at HFSM school.”
Jeremy & Megan S.

“One of our favorite things about HFSM is to have our children surrounded by other children who have similar goals and values as our family. I also love the small, safe and loving environment.”
Jen & David W.

“My family and I love HFSM. My daughter comes home each day and tells me she had so much fun at school! The environment is open and inviting. The school itself is clean and bright. The teachers and staff are just amazing. HFSM is just a special place.”
Pam & Allen H.

“Heather and I chose to send our two children to Holy Family for several reasons. I have many years of experience with the school due to my older, now grown, children having been students there. Although much of the staffing has changed since then, I was pleased to find some familiar faces still around as well.
Both the new staff, and the familiar staff have continued to reaffirm our decision by providing the love and care that I remember so well. We feel that all the public schools in Grand Forks are very good schools, and our children would get a quality education in any of them, just as they are at Holy Family. However, Holy Family just always goes above and beyond with providing living examples and showing our children how to live their lives in true Christian fashion. We feel comfortable in knowing that the morals and values we are teaching at home get echoed and even enhanced in what they are being taught in school by the amazing staff that teach and work there.
With so many things available to lead children astray, corrupt and fill their minds with negativity and impurity, and more or less take the joy and innocence of childhood away from them, it is wonderful to know that they are attending school in an environment that helps us counter that.”
Brooks & Heather B.