BACK TO SCHOOL: A DAY AT ST. MARY'S IN BALLSTON SPA

September 23, 2026 at 10:36 a.m.

Milani Manna plays in the gymnasium before the school day starts on Sept. 10 at St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

First grader Sadie Northrup stops to think as students write a story in class on Sept. 10 at St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Kindergartner Catherine Bee Somerville asks a questions in class on Sept. 10 at St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Kindergartners take turns strumming a ukulele while music teacher Lesley O’Donnell teaches them a song on Sept. 10 at St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

Fifth-grade teacher Hilarie Patrizio teaches her class the scientific method to prepare them for the New York State fifth-grade science test on Sept. 10 at St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

First- and second-grade students play on the jungle gym during recess on Sept. 10 at St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

A statue of the Blessed Mothers and other religious symbols adorn a kindergarten class on Sept. 10 at St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

Third graders line up between classes on Sept. 10 at St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

Stickers on a classroom window welcome students back to school on Sept. 10 at St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Physical-education teacher Debbie Merritt teases students as they line up for recess on the playground on Sept. 10 at St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Principal Lindsay Morris (l.) shares what she’s grateful for as the staff gathers for a morning prayer before students arrive on Sept. 10 at St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

Librarian and Tech teacher Gary Walsh greets students arriving for school as he helps them safely cross the street on Sept. 10 at St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

Photographer Cindy Schultz was allowed access to photograph students at St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa during the school day on Sept. 10. St. Mary's School — whose motto is “A Small School with a Big Heart” — is a private, Catholic, co-ed pre-K-through-fifth grade school located in the heart of Ballston Spa. Empowered through faith, SMS strives to educate the “whole child” with a strong academic and extracurricular experience to set young students up for success! For more information, head to www.smsbspa.org.