What's Right With OLQM
One-on-One Instruction
With smaller class sizes, our teachers are able to give personal attention to each and every student. This personal attention pays off in our test scores – some of the best in the Archdiocese of Mobile – and the overall spiritual, academic, physical, emotional, and social well-being of each student at OLQM.
Test Scores
When compared to all other Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Mobile, Our Lady Queen of Mercy looks great. The personal attention and instruction really pays off, as you can see in the following graphs:
Grade 2 |
OLQM |
Archdiocese |
Advanced |
67% |
18% |
Proficient |
33% |
70% |
Deficient |
0% |
12% |
Grade 5 |
OLQM |
Archdiocese |
Advanced |
27% |
21% |
Proficient |
73% |
65% |
Deficient |
0% |
14% |
Hot Lunch Program
In a time when many schools are ending their hot lunch programs, Our Lady Queen of Mercy still offers hot, nutritious lunches prepared on-site each day in our cafeteria. Students at Our Lady Queen of Mercy are only charged $2.25 per day for lunch.
A Full-Service School
Starting at three months of age, all the way through 6 th grade…Our Lady Queen of Mercy is your best choice for a “full service” education. Our Child Development Center is led by Mrs. Maria McEntyre, and your children will be cared for by some of the finest professionals in our area. At age five, your child enters the OLQM Kindergarten, located in a separate building near the Adoration Chapel and the church offices. Then, for grades 1-6, your student can continue his or her education . . . all in one excellent location.
Reduced Tuition Program
A Catholic education is recognized as the best possible education for your child. We have a one-of-a-kind reduced tuition program at OLQM. At OLQM we offer a tuition-free education to families of our parishioners who meet criteria. Our tuition is comparable to others in our community; however, we have the added benefit of our tuition-free program. Be sure to ask about our Smart Plan which makes paying your tuition easier. For more information, contact Father Dean at 288-5334.
Science and Computer Labs
Both a separate science and computer lab are equipped to enhance classroom studies.
Extracurricular Activities
Various sports such as football, basketball, soccer and volleyball are available as well as Girl Scouts and Brownies.
We realize that a strong music program enhances a student's ability to learn. In addition to our regular music classes, we offer private music lessons in piano, guitar, and band instruments.
Parent-Teacher Organization
Parents are encouraged to get involved at OLQM. Our P.T.O. hosts fundraising events as well as family-oriented gatherings to encourage parents to get to know one another.
Experienced, Caring Staff
Our award winning faculty is committed to assist each child to be the very best student that he or she can. In addition to our classroom teachers, we offer a school counselor, librarian, physical education teacher as well as our pastor. Our faculty and staff has over one hundred years' combined experience in education. We are proud of our school faculty.
After and Before School Care
After school care is offered at a minimal cost from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. each afternoon. This includes a snack break and 45 minutes of homework time. Children may be dropped off as early as 7:00 AM for a minimal fee.
If you are looking . . .
You are welcome to visit the school at any time. Contact Mrs. Susan Duke, Principal, for an appointment. And once you are on campus, you will see why we feel Our Lady Queen of Mercy Catholic School is the best-kept secret in the River Region.
Why OLQM?
Our Lady Queen of Mercy is a "special place". That's a theme echoed over and over by the teachers, parents and older alumni of the school. What's so special? If you talk with our parents, they will tell you it's difficult to define in words--more of a sense that is felt than a set of facts that can be easily captured by a snappy phrase. We invite you for that reason to visit us, meet the principal and the teachers, talk to other parents and walk the hallways to see for yourself.
There are a variety of factors which we can talk about, however, that contribute to this uniqueness.
First, our Catholic faith--Come to an All Saints Day Mass and witness the 2nd graders dressed up as their patron saint, observe the children in a Living Nativity at Christmas time, listen to the 3rd and 4th graders sing at weekly Masses, note the active involvement of our pastor, Fr. Dean at school events and around the hallways, attend closely to the prayers of our teachers, principal and students, observe how seriously students take their religion classes--and you will quickly learn that faith is not regarded as an "extra-curricular" or an "add-on" but integral to our life as a community together.
Second, our smaller size--We typically serve around 100-110 students, averaging about 15 students in each classroom. There's a tendency to believe that bigger is better, and if by better we mean more efficient and cost-effective, we suppose that's true. But "cost-effectiveness" isn't what we're striving for; instead, we want kids who grow up to be happy, healthy and holy. Our size allows us to be a family, raising our children together. The teachers know the kids by name, even those they may not teach in a given year. Adults are not just "Blakely's teacher" or "Blakely's parents" to each other, but "Tammy", "Christy" and "Bill". The adults socialize together, and often lasting friendships are formed. Teachers know their students: their academic and personal struggles, where they shine and where they need to be gently challenged to grow.
Third, our parents and teachers. There's a tendency to talk a good game about "putting children first", but when there's hard work to be done, one hears "it's not in my contract" or "I'm too busy". There's a real "roll-up-your-sleeves and let's-get-it-done" attitude in our parents and teachers. Witness a fund-raiser, or a PTO event, or a Council meeting, or a school clean-up day, or a teacher working with a child after school and it's obvious where the adults place their priorities.
So why OLQM?
Where do you want your children to grow up? If your answer to that question is a place marked by a living faith, a strong sense of family, and a place where the principal, teachers and parents work together to help lead children to become good people--then not only do you want Queen of Mercy to be your school, but we want you as our parent, for yours is the kind of family we seek to continue the good work we've accomplished thus far.
Our Lady Queen of Mercy Catholic School
4437 Narrow Lane Road
Montgomery , Alabama 36116
Fully Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools