Chesterton Academy’s House system is drawn from the 1,000 year-old tradition of Christian education exemplified in the colleges at Oxford and Cambridge. The Houses provide real, tangible community within the larger school, giving students the opportunity to take ownership, fulfill the call to leadership, and to cultivate the ideal conditions for virtue. Each House has two Senior and two Junior prefects, two faculty advisors, and several parent liaisons.
We are initiating and building upon a variety of clubs and activities. We encourage students to seek out a moderator and host their own clubs and activities. Some of our current clubs are:
Yearbook
Swing Dance
Fishing
Newspaper
Mock Trial Team
Performance Choir
Retreats
Pro-Life Club
Pilgrimages
Sports at Chesterton Academy of Saint Mary’s are student-driven. As a new school, we built an athletic program based on what our enrolled students and families want. Since the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit we will encourage sports at every level and will seek to build upon our initial offerings so that we may provide a strong athletic program.
Golf Club Athletics
Girl’s Volleyball
Fishing
Swing Dance
Running Club
Catholicism is central to our mission. For this reason, every school day begins with Mass. We teach theology out of the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and papal documents. Other important ways we live the faith include annual pilgrimages and retreats, modest and wholesome extracurricular activities, and sacred art and crucifixes adorn the hall and the classrooms.
Daily Mass
Weekly opportunities for Adoration
Retreats, Confession, and Spiritual Formation
Faith incorporated into every subject
Chaplains or regular visits from priests and religious
Chesterton Network Schools are encouraged to provide opportunities for students to go on pilgrimage. In addition to the March for Life and local pilgrimages, seniors have the opportunity to travel to Rome and Assisi, Italy. They encounter relics from the saints, sing for the Holy Father and see in real life the wonders of the ancient churches in the Eternal City.
Mrs. Hurla serves as both the President and Staffing Director. She has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and is now retired after many years supporting Naval Aviation in various technical and leadership roles.
She and her husband, Gregg, are parishioners at St. John’s in Hollywood. Their son graduated in 2023 in Chesterton Academy of St. Mary’s 1st graduating class.
Mrs. Lara Davis serves as Secretary. She has a master’s degree in Education. She taught in the local school system for several years before beginning to homeschool her own children for the last 20 years.
She and her husband Scott have 9 children. They currently have a Senior and a Freshman attending Chesterton Academy of St. Mary’s.
Mr. Vest, a recent graduate of the Leadership Southern Maryland - Executive Leadership Program, also holding a Business Degree from Capella University, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. As a Program Director specializing in the critical field of IT Operations supporting National Security, Mr. Vest uses that experience to support his contributions that are instrumental in shaping our strategies and initiatives.
Mr. Vest finds immense joy in his role as a family man. Blessed with a wife and two wonderful sons who bring boundless happiness to their lives. One of his sons is currently enrolled at Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's, a testament to Mr. Vest's commitment to providing his family with the best educational opportunities.
Mrs. KC Schnitker serves Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's as Director of Development. KC has been a natural family planning ambassador, leader, and master trainer for 18 years in the Archdiocese of Washington with Family of the Americas Foundation and served 3 years as executive director.
She and her husband, Ed, have 7 children; their daughter is a 2024 graduate of Chesterton Academy of St. Mary's and one of their sons is a Sophomore at Chesterton.
Mr. Mike Davis serves as Technology Director, bringing extensive experience from his role as a Division Director at the Naval Air Systems Command Sustainment Group.
Residing in Hollywood, Maryland, with his wife, Keri, and their two children, Mike is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He and his family are dedicated parishioners of St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, where they contribute to various ministries.
Mr. Jonathan DeMauro serves as the Facilities Director. He is the Vice Principal of St. Johns School, has a BFA in Sculpture, and MA in Leadership in Education along with teaching various middle school classes. He and his wife, Kristen, have two daughters and are parishioners at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church.
