Light of Christ Schools

In 1878, what we now call the Light of Christ Catholic Schools, was started when a school at Bismarck, Dakota Territory, was built and staffed with Benedictine sisters. The school was named the St. Mary’s Academy and Boarding School and was the first Catholic school in Bismarck. The Sisters’ reputation for discipline and educational thoroughness tempered with religion was a welcome contrast to the rawness of frontier life on the Dakota prairie.  
 
Beginning in 2012, the five Catholic parishes of Bismarck came together to form The Light of Christ Catholic Schools, an unprecedented venture reaffirming the strengths and successes of Catholic education in Bismarck. Today, Light of Christ Catholic Schools offers a modern educational program in which students learn language arts, mathematics, science, morality, fine arts, faith, and languages in small classes taught by caring teachers. The children at Light of Christ Catholic Schools have opportunities to discover themselves as scholars, leaders, stewards, thinkers, athletes, and artists. 
 
Our mission statement makes it clear: we have a single focus – the young people in our care. We strive to challenge them in every aspect of the human person (intellectual, emotional, physical, social and spiritual) to reach their true potential.  Our current school buildings include:  St. Mary’s Central High School, St. Mary's Academy, St. Mary’s Grade School, Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Elementary School, and Saint Anne School.