MANSFIELD – Located in downtown Mansfield, St. Peter’s School provides an educational community that understands children as individuals from Montessori preschool through high school.
When Angela Rosato-Mulherin walks through the halls of St. Peter’s School in downtown Mansfield, she doesn’t just see classrooms– she sees an educational community that understands her children as individuals.
St. Peter’s School is home to Richland County’s only Montessori program: a student-led, multi-age learning environment that emphasizes independence, hands-on discovery, and emotional development. Founded in 1976, the program serves children ages 2½ to 6 in a restored house designed to feel like home.
Inside Montessori, students quietly move through purposeful work like tracing sandpaper letters, sorting natural materials, or piecing together maps of the continents. Younger children learn by observing older peers, who serve as models and mentors.
“The Montessori method fosters independence and curiosity,” said Dr. Ashley Rastorfer,
Director of the Montessori program and Elementary Principal. “It’s learning that follows the child’s pace, interests, and development. Students choose their own activities within a structure that supports state academic standards.”
For families like the Mulherins, that individualized approach has made all the difference. A proud St. Peter’s alumna and mother of four current students, Angela Rosato-Mulherin credits the Montessori foundation for helping her children thrive both academically and personally.
“Did Montessori contribute to my children being gifted? One hundred percent, yes,” she said. “It brought out and enhanced their capabilities. All four of my kids have become early readers, curious learners, and strong students.”
That individualized model sets the tone for the rest of a St. Peter’s education. According to Dr. Cassandra Parente, Head of School, 62% of students in the school’s Gifted and Talented program began their education in Montessori, and recent testing shows Montessori alumni consistently outperform their peers in reading, math, and science.
For the Mulherin family, the benefits are tangible at home, too. “My 3-year-old, Jude, notices letters in nature,” said Rosato-Mulherin. “Mirabel, who’s 4, reminds her brothers to keep their workspace tidy. Montessori doesn’t just teach facts, it teaches habits of mind and heart.”
That philosophy extends well beyond preschool. In elementary and middle school, St. Peter’s students build on their early independence through robust STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programming.
“We bring science to life,” said teacher Anne Petrie, who leads the STEM curriculum at St. Peter’s. “We keep it interesting and engaging by designing wind meters, launching paper helicopters, or building roller coasters out of blocks. Students learn by doing—and they love it.”
Petrie also designed an elementary science curriculum based on project-based learning, pairing each unit with engaging trade books in science, thanks to a grant from the Richland County Foundation.
This approach not only connects literacy and science but also prepares students for larger academic challenges, such as the Middle School Science Symposium, held each winter under the direction of science teacher Janene Smith. Last year, of the five middle school students who went on to the district science fair, three were chosen to represent the school at the state level.
St. Peter’s is piloting a new K–5 math curriculum called Illustrative Mathematics, a nationally-recognized, research-based program proven to deepen conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills. For advanced learners, the school offers an accelerated fifth-grade math course that positions gifted students to complete Algebra I by middle school, laying a strong foundation for advanced coursework in high school.
This hands-on, exploratory approach led to the launch of Destination Imagination (DI) at St. Peter’s this past school year. DI is an international competition that challenges students to solve real-world problems using teamwork, creativity, and innovation.
Both the school’s elementary and middle school teams placed in their first year of DI, earning invitations to the state tournament. The elementary team, which included fourth grader Oliver Mulherin, took third place in the Scientific category and won the prestigious DaVinci Award for Creativity.
For Oliver, DI was more than just a fun project; it was a chance to apply what he has learned. “I liked writing out our plans and working with the team,” he said. Oliver’s team designed a Technobabble Translator and a 3D-printed MOXIE machine for a Mars exploration-themed challenge.
His father, Joe Mulherin, was impressed by what he saw: “Destination Imagination gave the kids power and confidence to lead a long-term project,” he said. “It was student-led from start to finish. We loved seeing each child’s strengths come through.”
“This program teaches perseverance, teamwork, and resilience,” said Petrie. “That’s what learning should look like.”
These hands-on, student-centered experiences are part of St. Peter’s five-year effort to increase academic rigor—and the results are evident. Through STEM initiatives, project-based learning, and enrichment programs, St. Peter’s has created multiple pathways for students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and confidence in their abilities—and the fruits of that labor are clear.
At St. Peter’s all eighth graders take the PreACT and earlier this year, five eighth graders were recognized for scoring in the top 30 percent, and even top 10 percent, nationally. This is a reflection of how early academic foundations can lead to long-term academic achievement.
And, the results extend into high school, where St. Peter’s has been named to the College Board’s AP Honor Roll for two consecutive years, earning Silver distinction. The school has also achieved a 100% graduation rate, with 97% of graduates continuing on to two- or four-year colleges and universities, earning over $4 million in scholarships last year alone.
“As a school, we’re recommitting to excellence at every level,” said Dr. Parente.
“Excellence happens on purpose. From Montessori to middle school, from PreACT recognition to college scholarships, we are building strong thinkers and compassionate leaders who are ready to meet the challenges ahead.”
St. Peter’s offers students from preschool through grade 12 an individualized, mission-driven education rooted in Catholic values. With families coming from Mansfield, Shelby, Ashland, and beyond, the school remains committed to accessibility through financial aid.
“We couldn’t be more grateful to have this kind of education in our community,” said Rosato-Mulherin. “St. Peter’s has given my children a love of learning, a sense of responsibility, and the confidence to lead.”
