St. Mary of Carmel Catholic School

What St. Mary of Carmel Catholic School does

St. Mary of Carmel Catholic School is a private, nonprofit Catholic school serving PreK3 through 8th grade students at 1716 Singleton Blvd in West Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1944 by Father Sebastian Valles, O.C.D., and originally staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate, the school operates under the governance and accreditation of the Diocese of Dallas Catholic Schools Office. Its student body is 92% Hispanic and draws from approximately 21 zip codes across the DFW metroplex; 90% of students receive tuition assistance and 80% qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program. The current principal is Victor Argueta, and the school is led by an SMC Board with committees covering finance, advancement, facilities, governance, and strategy.

The school's core product is a faith-based PreK-8 education that combines academics, daily prayer, community service, and preparation for college-preparatory high schools (alumni outcomes referenced at Ursuline Academy and Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep). Distinctive programs include the House System (four houses named for Carmelite saints), CTE pathways, athletics and clubs, the Teacher Lala Library, and an Annual Speaker Series. The school operates no proprietary technology platforms; it depends on third-party SaaS — the FACTS Family Portal (RenWeb) for enrollment, grades, and family communications; Givelively for donation and event processing; and Odyssey for TEFA applications. There is no AI, ML, or developer-facing API surface.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring tuition and registration fees, supplemented by an annual fundraising apparatus: the Eagle Annual Fund, North Texas Giving Day, the Annual Speaker Series, Trivia Night, and the Teacher Lala Library Campaign (the 2024-2025 End of Year goal is $90,000, versus over $47,000 raised on North Texas Giving Day the prior year). New-student application fee is $25; returning-family re-enrollment fees are tiered from $35 to $150 depending on deadline window. Need-based aid flows through ACE Scholarships, the Jethsuby Scholarship Fund (up to 50% of parish tuition rate for eligible Hispanic students), and FACTS Grant & Aid assessments. The school participates in the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program via the Diocese of Dallas, adding a state-funded tuition channel for eligible Texas families.

Name

St. Mary of Carmel Catholic School

Legal name

Saint Mary of Carmel Catholic School

Website

https://smcschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

St. Mary of Carmel is a nonprofit PreK-8 Catholic school in West Dallas, Texas, founded in 1944 under the Diocese of Dallas. It serves a predominantly Hispanic student body from the DFW metroplex, with 90% of families receiving tuition assistance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Catholic K-8 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

Keywords

• Catholic K-8 education
• PreK elementary schooling
• Faith-based private school
• College preparatory academics
• Religious primary education

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas, Texas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: SMC generates revenue primarily through tuition and registration fees charged to enrolled families. A $25 non-refundable application fee applies to new applicants. Re-enrollment fees range from $35 to $150 per student depending on the deadline window.
2. Annual Giving Campaigns: The Eagle Annual Fund provides unrestricted support to meet real-time needs of students, teachers, and families. North Texas Giving Day and end-of-year campaigns are key fundraising vehicles.
3. Annual Speaker Series: The SMC Speaker Series brings nationally recognized Catholic leaders to the community and raises vital funds directly supporting students, teachers, and programs through ticket sales and sponsorships.
4. Trivia Night Fundraiser: The Annual SMC Trivia Night is a community fundraising event where teams of up to 8 compete in rounds of trivia; funds support accessible quality Catholic education regardless of socioeconomic status.
5. Teacher Lala Library Campaign: A dedicated fundraising campaign to revitalize the school library through Perma-Bound book purchases and book displays, raising funds through direct donations.
6. Financial Aid Programs: The school facilitates ACE Scholarships (need-based, renewable yearly), Jethsuby Scholarship Fund (for Hispanic students up to 50% of parish tuition rate), and FACTS Grant & Aid assessments for demonstrated financial need. 90% of students receive tuition assistance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

St. Mary of Carmel Catholic School is a private Catholic school serving PreK3 through 8th grade students in West Dallas, Texas, founded in 1944 and operated under the Diocese of Dallas. The school delivers faith-based education integrating academics, daily prayer, service, and community, preparing students for college-preparatory high schools. In addition to core academic instruction, the school offers enrichment programs (House System, athletic clubs and sports, music, art, library), fundraising and community events (Eagle Annual Fund, Speaker Series, Trivia Night), and financial aid programs (ACE Scholarships, Jethsuby Scholarship, TEFA) with 90% of families receiving tuition assistance.

Product overview

St. Mary of Carmel Catholic School offers a unified Catholic education serving Pre-K3 through 8th grade students in West Dallas, centered on faith formation and academic excellence. The school operates multiple fundraising programs (Eagle Annual Fund, Annual Speaker Series, Trivia Night, Teacher Lala Library Campaign) to support operations and accessibility. Financial support is available through TEFA state funding and internal aid programs. The school uses the FACTS Family Portal (RenWeb) for enrollment and school management. The House System organizes students across grade levels for community, faith, service, and leadership development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Catholic Education (PreK3 through 8th grade)
• Financial Aid Programs (ACE Scholarships and Jethsuby Scholarship Fund)

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates accepted into college-preparatory high schools including Ursuline Academy and Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, foundational, minor and supporting.

• St. Rita Catholic SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1973St. Rita joined St. Mary of Carmel as a 'parish partner' and Sister School in 1973, acknowledging the sacrifice many families made to educate their children in the faith. They offered financial assistance and shared projects addressing the needs of SMC, continuing to partner to this day.
• Christ the King ParishfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly in the community's history (pre-1944), Christ the King Parish donated a church building which became SMC's Kindergarten classroom and library, enabling the school's establishment.
• Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary ImmaculatefoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 1944, the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate agreed to staff the school when it opened, forming the foundational faculty and leadership of SMC.
• Carmelite Priests (O.C.D.)foundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Carmelite priests, following the charisms of community, service, and prayer established by Father Sebastian Valles, O.C.D., have been integral to the school's identity and mission since 1937.
• Ursuline Student VolunteersminorOthersUrsuline student volunteers have contributed to bringing the Teacher Lala Library back to life, assisting with updating and clearing out the book collection alongside SMC board members and the former assistant principal.
• Jesuit College Preparatory School of DallassupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner and sponsor of the SMC Annual Speaker Series event, co-supporting the faith-based education mission alongside other community organizations.
• The Catholic Schools Office, Diocese of DallascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Diocese of Dallas oversees SMC through its Catholic Schools Office, providing accreditation, Safe Environment training requirements, TEFA program administration, and strategic guidance. SMC is part of the Diocese's school system.
• Nuestra Señora del Pilar Catholic ChurchsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Flores family (enrolled alumni) are active parishioners at this church, demonstrating the connection between SMC families and their local Catholic parish community. The school serves families from 21 DFW zip codes, many connected through parish life.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lakehill Preparatory School: A larger Dallas private K-12 school that competes for local families seeking small classes, enrichment, and college preparation. It is a broader incumbent with a wider grade span and a secular model.
• The Episcopal School of Dallas: A major private PK-12 school in the Dallas market with an established values-based and college-preparatory proposition. It is a broader incumbent that competes for family attention and tuition dollars, though at larger scale.

Direct peers

• St. Monica Catholic School: A Dallas Catholic PK-8 school with a similar faith, academics, athletics, and tuition-assistance proposition for local families. It overlaps directly in age range, mission, and catchment.
• The Lamplighter School: A private PK-8 school in Dallas competing for the same family decision-makers through community, enrichment, and individualized education. It lacks St. Mary of Carmel's Catholic identity but is a close independent-school substitute.
• St. Cecilia Catholic School: A Dallas Catholic school serving younger children through middle school, comparable in faith formation, small-community positioning, and family-driven enrollment. It is a direct regional peer for St. Mary of Carmel's PreK3-8 offering.
• St. Patrick Catholic School: A Dallas Catholic elementary and middle school serving a similar family segment with parish-based education and college-preparatory preparation. Its grade span and tuition-supported admissions make it a close local peer.
• St. Philip the Apostle Catholic School: A Dallas Catholic PK-8 school under the same diocesan ecosystem, offering comparable religious formation, academics, extracurriculars, and direct-to-family admissions.
• St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School: A Diocese of Dallas Catholic PK-8 school in Richardson with comparable religious instruction, grade coverage, extracurriculars, and local parent admissions. It is a relevant regional peer within the same Catholic-school system.
• St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School: A Dallas Diocese Catholic school covering the elementary and middle grades with a similar parish-connected, faith-integrated education model. It competes for the same local families and tuition-supported enrollment.
• St. Rita Catholic School: A Dallas Diocese Catholic PK-8 school and St. Mary of Carmel's long-standing sister-school partner. It serves the same local Catholic family audience and competes for faith-based K-8 enrollment.

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st-mary-of-carmel-catholic-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St. Mary of Carmel Catholic School