PK - 12 Catholic Academy
Learning To Be
Global Catholics.
Magnify the Lord
The spiritual life in St. Mary’s Academy is designed in accordance with the identity of a Catholic school as recommended by the Vatican Dicastery for Catholic Education.
“A Catholic school is endowed with a specific identity: i.e. ‘its reference to a Christian concept of life centered on Jesus Christ.’ The personal relationship with Christ enables the believer to look at the whole of reality in a radically new way, granting the Church an ever renewed identity, with a view to fostering in the school communities adequate responses to the fundamental questions for every woman and man. Therefore, for all the members of the school community, the ‘principles of the Gospel in this manner become the educational norms since the school then has them as its internal motivation and final goal.’” (Dicastery for Catholic Education, The Identity of the Catholic School for a Culture of Dialogue, 25 January 2022, Vatican City 2022, n. 20.)
At St. Mary’s Academy, this Catholic identity is at the heart of everything we do. Rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we strive to form students spiritually, academically, morally, psychologically, and socially, preparing them to become faithful disciples and responsible citizens.
The Reverend Dr. Gatien N. Ngah is dedicated to Catholic education, youth ministry, faith formation, and integral pastoral care. With extensive academic preparation in philosophy, theology, education, catechetics, youth ministry, and Catholic school leadership, he combines scholarly expertise with a deep commitment to the New Evangelization.
He holds a Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) and a Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome; a Bachelor of Science in Educational Sciences (B.S.Ed.) and a Licentiate in Educational Sciences (L.Ed.Sc.), with a specialization in Catechetics and Youth Ministry, from the Pontifical Salesian University, Rome; and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Catholic School Administration from Pontifex University, Atlanta.
Father Ngah is passionate about helping students encounter Christ, grow in faith, pursue academic excellence, and integrate Christian values into every aspect of their lives, enabling them to become responsible citizens and faithful missionary disciples.
Igniting faith, friendship, and unforgettable memories, FLAME is our premier, student-led high school retreat. Every fall, a dedicated team of student leaders—working hand-in-hand with our Campus Ministry office—designs and hosts this dynamic, faith-filled weekend getaway nestled in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains.
As a true highlight of the academic year, FLAME brings together the majority of our high school student body for an immersive, long-weekend camp experience. It perfectly balances high-energy fun with deep spiritual growth through a packed schedule featuring:
FLAME isn’t just an event—it’s a milestone experience where our students step away from the distractions of daily life, encounter Jesus, and return down the mountain with their hearts on fire for their faith and their school community!
Each year, our students journey to Washington, D.C., to participate in the national March for Life, a powerful pilgrimage where they actively put their Catholic faith into motion. Standing in solidarity with hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates from across the country, our young people serve as a joyful, peaceful witness to the ultimate sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.
This annual journey is far more than just a trip—it is an immersive exercise in discipleship. Throughout the pilgrimage, students live out their Catholic beliefs through:
By taking their faith from the classroom to the steps of our nation’s capital, our students return down the mountain with a renewed conviction to protect life, serve others, and live as courageous witnesses to God’s love.
At St. Mary’s Academy, the Catholic faith isn’t just a subject we teach—it is the very heartbeat of our school and an integral part of daily life for every student. From our youngest learners to our graduating seniors, we cultivate an environment where faith and reason go hand-in-hand, helping students grow intellectually, morally, and spiritually.
Every student at SMA receives dedicated, daily instruction in the Catholic faith, tailored beautifully to their developmental stage:
Lower School (Pre-K – 5th Grade): Faith is seamlessly integrated right into the daily classroom routine. Students learn directly from their primary classroom teachers, discovering the beauty of God’s love through scripture stories, prayer, and the liturgical seasons in a warm, nurturing environment.
Middle & High School (6th – 12th Grade): Students dive deeper into their faith through dynamic, year-long theology courses. Our curriculum expands each year to challenge and inspire growing minds, covering essential topics such as:
Foundational Biblical Knowledge & Church History
Christian Morality & Apologetics (learning to explain and defend the faith)
Comparative World Religions
Specialized, upper-level courses in Christology (the study of Christ) and Mariology (the study of the Blessed Mother, our school’s namesake).
Unique High School Electives: Our upperclassmen can take a formal course on Vocations, helping them discern God’s specific calling for their lives. They can also enroll in a hands-on Christian Service course, which allows them to spend class time actively serving and lifting up our school community.
We believe that true spiritual formation happens when knowledge is met with a living relationship with Jesus Christ. SMA offers robust, regular opportunities for students to encounter God personally through the Sacraments and prayer:
Holy Mass & Confession: All students regularly attend Mass together as a school family and have frequent, structured access to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Adoration & Personal Prayer: Quiet contemplation is woven into our campus culture. Students have dedicated opportunities during lunch and throughout the day for Eucharistic Adoration and personal prayer in the chapel.
Spiritual Direction: Our school Chaplain is a constant, supportive presence on campus, available to students for one-on-one spiritual direction, guidance, and pastoral care.
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) available regularly and by appointment.
Spiritual Retreats: Grades 6-12 participate in annual spiritual retreats that foster prayer, reflection, discernment, and personal renewal.