History of St. Mary's Schools
St. Mary’s Catholic School in Dell Rapids traces its roots back to 1910, when it was founded as part of the expansion of parochial education in the young state of South Dakota. The school was established by the Presentation Sisters, who began teaching grades 1–8, with plans to add higher grades each year until they could graduate their first class of seniors. In its early years, the sisters also provided boarding care for some students, living on the third floor while teaching on the main floor, and using the basement for community and chapel spaces.
The original 1910 building served as the school’s home for decades, but as enrollment grew, the school expanded. In 1951, the current St. Mary’s church was built, and in 1957, a new high school was constructed to meet rising demand. The high school’s cornerstone ceremony in September 1957 included the names of parishioners, students, faculty, and the bishop, and the building officially opened in September 1958. The new facility featured a large gym capable of hosting over 1,000 for sports and 3,000 for events, and by 1959, the first full-year class of seniors was in session.
By the 1960s, the original school building had become structurally unsound, and in 1964, it was replaced by a new convent for the Presentation Sisters. The school continued to grow, offering a broad curriculum rooted in Catholic values, and by the 21st century, it had become one of South Dakota’s oldest continuously operating Catholic schools.
In 2022, the original 1910 building was demolished after more than a century of service, with community members gathering to witness the event. Preservation efforts included salvaging the original cornerstone, guardian angel statue, and stained glass, which were incorporated into the new school on the south side of Dell Rapids.
Today, St. Mary’s Catholic School remains a co-educational institution serving grades pre- kindergarten through 12, with a student body of around 250 and a strong emphasis on academic excellence, religious education, and community involvement. It continues to honor its long history while adapting to the needs of a modern Catholic school.
