A Legacy of Learning
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In 2007, St. Marys Elementary School (SMES) received the honor of being named a Title I School of Excellence by the Georgia Department of Education for meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals for four consecutive years. Our school is a National Blue Ribbon School, recognized for the achievements for the 1991-1992 school year. We are located in the southeastern corner of the state of Georgia, on the Georgia/Florida border. St. Marys Elementary School is located about one block from Cumberland Sound off the Atlantic Ocean.
SMES is situated between two brackish rivers running off Cumberland Sound - the St. Marys River and Crooked River. The area is known for sand, salt, and an abundance of marsh land. SMES is also known for being a wonderful, outstanding elementary school.
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St. Marys Elementary School started as St. Marys School in 1801 in the basement of the Presbyterian Church. The first school building was constructed near the waterfront but was destroyed by fire in 1943. The present school building opened in February 2011.
SMES, as we are known, now has an enrollment of just over 600 students in grades PK-5. We have teachers, and a support staff consisting of a principal, assistant principal, Instructional Lead Teacher, and guidance counselor. We also have paraprofessionals who work with the teachers directly in the classrooms and additional staff support consisting of office, lunchroom, and custodial staff.
Our school district is one of the fastest growing school systems in the United States because we are the home of
Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, the east coast base for the Trident Nuclear Submarine Fleet. Camden County also attracts more and more newcomers because of our Atlantic beaches and access to
Cumberland Island, one of Georgia's favorite natural resources. We have four beautiful golf courses, marshland and riverfront properties and we are in close proximity to Jacksonville, FL, Brunswick, GA, and Savannah, GA for shopping and "city amenities".