It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in st-marys, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
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“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well-”
“Natalia has experience taking care of people with Alzheimer and I would be very ”
“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care”
“Exceptional staff and very caring. I know my loved ones are taken care of which”
“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of”
“best people at there”
“Great staff!! Caring people!”
“I think it’s one of the best companies there’s always someone ready and willing to go help people with great attitudes! Anyone that wants to live at home but needs a little extra help should definitely get someone from this company at your home to help out!”
“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in need. Whatever my questions may be or any help I need as a health care provider for my client they have always came through with help.”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
“Great staff. Well trained and kind people.”
“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well- bean in their hands”
“Natalia has experience taking care of people with Alzheimer and I would be very trust my dad’s safety if they taking care of him.”
“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care for members of your family.”
“Exceptional staff and very caring. I know my loved ones are taken care of which gives me a peace of mind. Definitely recommend!”
“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of the most caring and dedicated people I have ever met. They truly want to help people get the best care for their loved ones. My grandmother would have loved to have care like this.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in st-marys, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in st-marys, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in st-marys, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
ST. MARYS, W.Va. — One out away from victory in the top of the seventh, St. Marys needed to put some extra work in to deal LKC rival Doddridge County their first loss of the season. Autumn Mossor scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth to give the defending state champions a 3-2 win over the Bulldogs.Tied at 2 entering the second extra inning, Mossor reached base with a single and she later advanced to third base with a double from Brylee McGrady. With Landrey Riggs at the plate with one out, Mossor wa...
ST. MARYS, W.Va. — One out away from victory in the top of the seventh, St. Marys needed to put some extra work in to deal LKC rival Doddridge County their first loss of the season. Autumn Mossor scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth to give the defending state champions a 3-2 win over the Bulldogs.
Tied at 2 entering the second extra inning, Mossor reached base with a single and she later advanced to third base with a double from Brylee McGrady. With Landrey Riggs at the plate with one out, Mossor watched the sixth pitch of the at bat get to the backstop and she dashed home with the winning run.
“I felt really good when we started out with a base hit. That was huge,” said St. Marys head coach Lacy Riggs. “I was pretty confident when we loaded the bases with one out that we would make something happen.”
St. Marys jumped out to a 2-0 lead with runs in the first and third innings. Ella Bullman scored both runs on groundouts after reaching with a single and a triple, respectively.
“Ella Bullman is very, very difficult to contain when she gets on the base paths.”
Doddridge County cut the deficit in half in the fourth inning. After reaching base on a walk, Olivia See stole second base and third base before scoring on a throwing error.
Down to their final strike in the top of the seventh, Doddridge stayed alive with an infield single from Maddie Curran that allowed Caitlyn Pratt to score from third base.
After a scoreless eighth inning, St. Marys put a zero on the scoreboard for the visitors in the ninth when Cali Masters struck out the side. Masters went the distance in the circle. She struck out 19 batters and allowed just three hits.
“I think she was throwing better as the game went on. She was more dialed in.”
Doddridge County (10-1) entered the day as one of just four unbeaten teams in West Virginia.
“That should be a huge confidence booster for us. We snapped that win streak as well and it was a huge win in the [Little Kanawha Conference] for us. Those were two things we were kind of going for on the night.”
Tessa Mayle pitched a complete game for the Bulldogs. She struck out nine batters.
Brylee McGrady led St. Marys (8-3) at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles. Adaleigh McGrady had two hits. Curran, Kylie Swiger and Kamryn Satterfield collected base hits for the Bulldogs.
St. Mary’s Law also ranks for part-time J.D. program, clinical trainingThe St. Mary’s University School of Law Advocacy Programs ranked in the top 20 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report — tied for the No. 16 spot in the 2025 Best Graduate School Rankings released today.St. Mary’s Law also tied for No. 36 on the Best Part-Time Law Programs ranking. The School of Law’s rankings for its part-t...
The St. Mary’s University School of Law Advocacy Programs ranked in the top 20 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report — tied for the No. 16 spot in the 2025 Best Graduate School Rankings released today.
St. Mary’s Law also tied for No. 36 on the Best Part-Time Law Programs ranking. The School of Law’s rankings for its part-time program continue to increase since the inception of a highly competitive Online J.D. Program option. The overall ranking for St. Mary’s Law rose five spots to tie for No. 148 in the nation among Best Law Schools. St. Mary’s Law’s international law programs also rose significantly to tie for No. 109 on the Best International Law Programs list.
“St. Mary’s University School of Law remains committed to providing an excellent legal education that includes exceptional opportunities for skill building to talented students who embrace our Catholic and Marianist values of service, justice and peace,” said Patricia Roberts, J.D., St. Mary’s School of Law Dean and Charles E. Cantú Distinguished Professor of Law. “Outcomes for our students continue to trend upward, and St. Mary’s is steadfast in its goal of additional improvement.”
The St. Mary’s Law Advocacy Programs prepare students for real-world litigation by developing their trial and appellate courtroom skills. The Advocacy Programs at St. Mary’s include the National Team, which focuses on trial advocacy, moot court and alternative dispute resolution competitions across the country; and the Board of Advocacy, which administers competitions throughout the year at St. Mary’s.
St. Mary’s Law also tied for No. 35 in the U.S. News and World Report rankings of Best Dispute Resolution Programs.
Two members of the St. Mary’s University School of Law National Dispute Resolution Team were recently named national champions at the American Bar Association National Negotiation Competition Finals in Chicago. Scott Lopez, third-year J.D. student, and Caroline Villarreal, second-year J.D. student, won the national championship.
This honor offers St. Mary’s Law the opportunity to represent the United States at the 2025 International Negotiation Competition for Law Students in July in London. The St. Mary’s National Dispute Resolution Team consisted of Lopez, Villarreal and second-year J.D. students Anthony “Kash” Maley and Kendall Michaelis.
A.J. Bellido de Luna, J.D., Assistant Dean for Advocacy and Conflict Resolution Programs, congratulated the J.D. students on this remarkable achievement.
“Their outstanding performance exemplifies the excellence, strategy and teamwork that define our National Dispute Resolution Team, bringing immense pride to St. Mary’s,” he said.
For the first time in St. Mary’s University School of Law history, the National Team tied for the No. 1 ranking in the nation by the American Bar Association in 2024. The ABA rankings capped a historic year for the Advocacy Program, which brought home a dozen national championships and represented the United States internationally during the 2023-2024 academic year.
St. Mary’s Law also tied for the No. 60 ranking on the U.S. News and World Report 2025 list for Best Clinical Training Programs.
The Clinics at St. Mary’s Law include the Consumer Protection Clinic, Real Estate Clinic, Family Law Clinic, Criminal Justice Clinic, the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic.
A Rossendale primary school, where warm and positive relationships are fostered at the heart of everything pupils do, has been praised by Ofsted following an inspection.Ofsted no longer gives an overall judgement to state-funded schools, but St Mary’s school, in Haslingden Old Road, ...
A Rossendale primary school, where warm and positive relationships are fostered at the heart of everything pupils do, has been praised by Ofsted following an inspection.
Ofsted no longer gives an overall judgement to state-funded schools, but St Mary’s school, in Haslingden Old Road, Rawtenstall, was said to have taken effective action to maintain standards from the previous inspection.
In 2015, the school was handed a ‘good’ rating, achieving this grade across all judgement criteria.
The most recent report said: “St Mary’s is a happy, welcoming school. Staff members place the warm and positive relationships they foster with pupils at the heart of their work.
“Pupils know that staff want the best for them and that there is always a kind member of staff to talk to if they have any worries.
“Pupils behave well and engage readily in lessons and show a keen interest in their learning.”
Inspectors praised the high expectations for academic success and highlighted how the school had designed an ambitious curriculum, which was carefully ordered to aid their progress.
Teachers were noted as creating engaging activities that help students to learn the curriculum well, and staff use their strong subject knowledge to make checks on what pupils know and remember.
This information is then used to address any gaps in the pupils' learning.
The school prioritised reading, and knowledgeable teachers and support staff teach the phonic curriculum effectively – meaning most students become successful readers.
However, success in writing is not as strong, and the resources needed to practice writing are not matched well enough to the needs of students.
Students were praised for their understanding of the school's values, which included trust, forgiveness, respect and honesty and remaining consistently calm when in lessons.
READ MORE: "Warm and nurturing" staff-pupil relations praised by Ofsted in new inspection
READ MORE: "Vibrant" primary school where "pupils are proud" to attend receives glowing Ofsted
Inspectors added: “The school’s approach to supporting pupils’ personal development is very effective. Pupils make a positive contribution to the school community by taking on responsibilities, such as training to be ‘buddies’ for children in the early years.
“Older pupils demonstrate a mature understanding of fundamental British values. These pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain.”
Additionally, the school was praised for the action taken to increase attendance for many pupils, which was deemed to be successful and fell in line with national averages.
Students with special educational needs are also identified accurately and this means these pupils receive the help and support they need to access the same curriculum as their peers.
When I told the Editor that I had been invited to lunch by the headmistress of St Mary’s School Ascot, he made a bid to join me. But I had to be firm: “I need to be able to focus,” I explained, as I left him at his desk. After all, it’s not every day you get to meet the people who run arguably the most prestigious and successful girls’ school in the country.Danuta Staunton has been headmistress of St Mary’s for the last six years. Tall and striking, she was anointed by her long-serving predecessor, ...
When I told the Editor that I had been invited to lunch by the headmistress of St Mary’s School Ascot, he made a bid to join me. But I had to be firm: “I need to be able to focus,” I explained, as I left him at his desk. After all, it’s not every day you get to meet the people who run arguably the most prestigious and successful girls’ school in the country.
Danuta Staunton has been headmistress of St Mary’s for the last six years. Tall and striking, she was anointed by her long-serving predecessor, Mary Breen, and took up the role in her early thirties. It seems young, but she has already proven herself to be more than equal to the task. Polish, but born and bred in London (both sets of grandparents came over after the Second World War), she is warm and approachable. She is keen that the school is a jolly place, and in this she leads from the front, exuding positivity and happiness.
We are joined by the school’s relatively new chaplain, Canon PJ Smith, a former dean of Portsmouth Cathedral, who is also episcopal vicar for education for the whole diocese. Hailing from the Wirral, Canon PJ felt his first call to the priesthood aged seven. “I knew then that one day I would show Christ to the people,” he explains. After a stint in the City, he went to Allen Hall Seminary in Chelsea, before serving in various dioceses around the country. Delighted with his first school-based role, he is clearly devoted to the girls and to the school.
Formerly run by members of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Mrs Staunton is only its second headmistress not to be a nun), St Mary’s continues to maintain the Catholic faith at its heart. The ornate chapel is right in the middle of the school, practically opposite the refectory, and is always open for prayer. Mass is compulsory every Sunday and the girls play an active role. The “liturgy captains”, for example, prepare the chapel for Mass and help distribute Holy Communion. Confession is especially popular, says Canon PJ, although he thinks that might have something to do with the fact that there are always chocolates in his office. Annual celebrations of the school’s foundress, Mary Ward, include a 12-foot chocolate cake which takes up two whole tables in the refectory.
While at other Catholic independent schools numbers of Catholics pupils are dwindling, at St Mary’s 98 per cent are Catholic. The remaining two per cent will have had some special dispensation, such as an alumna mother or perhaps a difficult family situation. The school refuses to compromise on this or indeed on anything else, which presumably is the key to its success. “We don’t worry too much about what other schools are doing,” explains Canon PJ. “We know who we are.”
St Mary’s is selective and has its own entrance exams. Mrs Staunton suggests people apply two years in advance to ensure a place on the waiting list. They close the books once they have two applicants per place, and siblings and daughters of alumnae take preference. The school takes around 40 girls at 11 and a further 20 at 13, with a few more joining for sixth form. For those wanting to join at 11, there is an English, Maths and General Paper to sit, as well as an interview, while at 13 there are more exams, including a compulsory Latin paper. Staff then decide, based on a variety of factors, not just exam results – the school is not a hothouse, says Mrs Staunton – which girls are the right fit for the school.
After lunch I am shown around by Flavia, who is in the lower sixth form and hoping to study computer science at an American university. Wearing her own navy blue trousers and a cream jumper (sixth-formers are not required to wear uniform), she looks me in the eye and shakes my hand, and then engages me in conversation with more confidence and composure than the average adult. She is half-Dutch and half-Spanish and speaks both languages fluently. The Spanish comes in useful, she says, as of the 15 per cent of overseas students, a significant proportion come from Spain (others come from Hong Kong, Italy, Belgium, the US and Nigeria).
Flavia shows me the tennis courts, ballet studio, athletics track and swimming pool – and the theatre where productions take place throughout the year, some produced by the girls themselves. The art rooms are magnificent and there are three libraries, each catering to a different age group. The new sixth-form quarters mean that each girl has her own room in her final two years.
Like many schools, St Mary’s has passed on most of the new 20 per cent VAT to parents, which means that its fees are now over £21,000 per term.
“I hope you thank your parents every day for sending you here,” I say to Flavia. She tells me she does appreciate how lucky she is, and I believe her.
(Photographs courtesy of St Mary’s School Ascot)
This article appeared in the February edition of the Catholic Herald. To subscribe to our award-winning, thought-provoking magazine and have independent, high-calibre, counter-cultural and orthodox Catholic journalism delivered to your door anywhere in the world click HERE.
ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. — The St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s lacrosse team earned a clean sweep of the United East Conference Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards, as announced by the league office on Monday, April 7, 2025. This marks the third time this season the Seahawks have claimed both honors in the same week, showcasing their dominance in the conference.Senior captain Colin Horton, a midfielder from University Park, Maryland, secured the Offensive Player of the Week awa...
ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. — The St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s lacrosse team earned a clean sweep of the United East Conference Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards, as announced by the league office on Monday, April 7, 2025. This marks the third time this season the Seahawks have claimed both honors in the same week, showcasing their dominance in the conference.
Senior captain Colin Horton, a midfielder from University Park, Maryland, secured the Offensive Player of the Week award for the first time this season and the fifth time in her career. Junior defender Carsyn Smith from Crownsville, Maryland, earned her second Defensive Player of the Week honor of 2025. The awards come on the heels of a split week for St. Mary’s, which included a commanding 26-0 shutout over Notre Dame of Maryland University on April 1 and an 18-11 loss to No. 7 Salisbury University on April 5.
Horton’s standout performances fueled her latest accolade. Against Notre Dame (Md.), she scored a game-high four goals, added an assist, and secured four draw controls. In the matchup with Salisbury, she led the Seahawks with five points, tallying four goals and an assist, while posting a season-high five draw controls and a career-best two caused turnovers. The 5-foot-9 midfielder currently leads the United East Conference with 41 goals, ties for second with 45 points, and ranks sixth with 34 draw controls, according to conference statistics.
Smith anchored the Seahawks’ defense with equally impressive play. In the shutout victory over Notre Dame (Md.), she recorded career highs of six draw controls and five ground balls. Facing Salisbury, she contributed two caused turnovers, two draw controls, and one ground ball. The 5-foot-5 junior ranks second in the conference with 16 caused turnovers and ties for third with 28 ground balls, per United East standings.
St. Mary’s College, now 4-7 overall and 1-0 in conference play, is set to return to action on Tuesday, April 8, hosting Wilson College (1-9, 0-0 UEC) at Jamie L. Roberts Stadium. The 5:30 p.m. contest will double as the team’s Gold Rush and Morgan’s Message Game, blending competition with community awareness initiatives.
This season, the United East Conference has recognized several St. Mary’s players for their weekly performances. Horton’s offensive award on April 7 follows earlier honors for senior attacker Hailey Betch (Feb. 24 and March 10). Smith’s defensive recognition adds to her March 24 nod, while teammates Claire Boudreau (March 3 and March 10) and Horton (Feb. 24, as a defender) have also been celebrated. Other conference standouts include Bryn Athyn’s Shea Gormley and Kira Bradley, as well as Cedar Crest’s Kylah Demarest, Maddie Graham, and Ellie Terranova, per the league’s weekly award archives.
The Seahawks’ recent shutout of Notre Dame (Md.) highlights their defensive prowess, with Smith’s contributions proving pivotal. Meanwhile, the loss to Salisbury, a perennial powerhouse ranked seventh nationally by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA), underscores the competitive challenges St. Mary’s faces outside conference play. Salisbury’s program has a storied history, including multiple NCAA Division III titles, according to the university’s athletics website.
As St. Mary’s prepares for Wilson College, Horton and Smith’s leadership will be key. The United East Conference season is heating up, and the Seahawks aim to build on their early 1-0 league record.
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