School Spotlight: Maternity of Mary – Saint Andrew Catholic School

Maternity of Mary – Saint Andrew Catholic School: Joy-filled, authentic Catholic education

At Maternity of Mary – Saint Andrew Catholic School (MMSA), the school’s mission of teaching the love of God, love of neighbor, and love of learning shapes the daily experience of students, staff and families. Through faith formation, strong relationships and academic growth, MMSA has built a community where students are known, supported and encouraged to thrive.

Julie Esboldt, a kindergarten teacher at MMSA, said the school’s sense of joy is evident throughout the building and school community.

“At Maternity of Mary – Saint Andrew Catholic School, the joy in our building is palpable,” she said. “These three pillars set the foundation for joy to exist in abundance at our school.”

Esboldt described the many ways that joy is lived out at MMSA each day. From morning announcements led by Principal Mike Langer and “Dad Joke Thursday,” to preschool students singing in classrooms and eighth graders spending time with their kindergarten buddies, opportunities for connection are present across all grade levels. 

“To walk our hallways, to sit in our classrooms, to gather at Mass, to speak with our students and staff is to know joy,” Esboldt said. “It is to know MMSA.”

The community at MSSA is vibrant: students participate in Mass together, middle schoolers read Scripture, and parish priests remain actively involved in school life through events, field trips and classroom activities.

For Nikki Martens, MMSA’s strong sense of community is what continues to draw families to the school. As an alumna, parent of MMSA students and current employee, she has experienced the school community from multiple perspectives. 

“What has always drawn me to MMSA is the genuine sense of community and the fact that our school feels like a family,” Martens said. “At MMSA, students are truly far more than just a number. Regardless of their age, they are known and appreciated by all — whether it is teachers, office staff, our principal and, of course, our pastors, who are highly involved at MMSA and so supportive of our school.” 

This commitment to serving families is strengthened through the partnership between MMSA and the Aim Higher Foundation. Langer said the support provided by Aim Higher helps make Catholic education accessible to more families in the community. 

“The financial support provided by the Aim Higher Foundation is vital to MMSA from a budget standpoint,” Langer said. “As important and appreciated as that financial support is, the most significant impact of Aim Higher upon our school community is that the Foundation greatly enhances our ability to serve additional families in need.”

About Maternity of Mary – Saint Andrew Catholic School 

MMSA believes a joy-filled, authentic Catholic education is based on the pillars of academic excellence, virtue, mission discernment, and spiritual development for the purpose of developing the whole child—academically, spiritually, physically, and socially.