Our History

64 Years and Counting of Academic Excellence

St. Mary Magdalen’s history began in 1960 with the arrival of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. The school opened on September 7th, 1960, with Sister M. Michael Francis as our first principal. The mascot, “Irish”, was chosen in honor of our first priest, Fr. William Lane, who was from Ireland.

St. Mary Magdalen has undergone significant growth over the years. Portables were added in 1963 to accommodate sixth, seventh, and eighth grade classes. In 1983, a new wing doubled the size of the school to manage its extraordinary growth. Kindergarten classes were introduced in 1987, followed by the start of our preschool program in 1999. In January 2019, our sport court was enclosed to become a gym and during the summer of 2020, the remodel of our church was complete.

In 60 plus years, many changes have occurred, including the transition to a faculty and staff entirely composed of lay people. However, much has also remained unchanged. We still provide an excellent education and remain faithful to the teachings and mission of our Catholic faith, welcoming those of other faiths as well. Our diverse student body now comes from all over Snohomish County and North King County.

Students at SMM engage in daily prayers, weekly masses, sacrament preparation, service projects, and special observances. They are encouraged to actively participate in their faith and serve others.

Today, St. Mary Magdalen School thrives. Built on the strong foundation laid by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, we blend rigorous, 21st-century academics with a values-centered philosophy. From preschool through eighth grade, we nurture our students’ success by fostering their unique strengths. A St. Mary Magdalen education transforms our students’ futures and equips them to transform our world!