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St. Mary School began educating children after three Benedictine sisters arrived from Chicago in 1887. They established a combined day and boarding school in a two story wooden building that also served as their convent. Their program stressed the four R's and music.

The following year Bishop Richter of the Grand Rapids Diocese sent three Dominican sisters, the order he had chosen to teach in his diocese, as their replacements.

With only two non-Catholic families in the community, St Mary School became the "public school" offering release from religion classes for the non-Catholic students.

This arrangement continued until 1947 when heavy restrictions concerning the display of religious symbols were imposed by the Michigan Department of Instruction.

The entire 12 grades were gradually added to the program and students from the surrounding areas of Leland, Suttons Bay, Gills Pier, and Glen Arbor attended.

An east wing was added in 1908 which furnished two classrooms, a larger chapel and living space for the sisters who had lived in the classrooms.

A convent built of field stone was ready for occupancy in 1925.

The original school building was replaced during the Great Depression and dedicated in 1938.

Improvements to the school building and grounds have continued yearly. Most recently was remodeling of the basement to house the library and computer lab and computer networking to all of the classrooms.

A recently completed  feasibility study is a preliminary step to another facilities expansion.