However, particularly in the early days of the system, the Church and voluntary contributions (of money and land), played a key role in providing education in the area.

Initially, the school used shared facilities in the existing two-storey log cabin convent of the Sisters.

It was located on land granted by the well known missionary Father Albert Lacombe, who lent his newly built mission and surrounding area on St. Mary Street in the francophone village of Rouleauville.

Initially St. Mary's School taught grades one through twelve to children in Rouleauville, Calgary, and other nearby communities.

With the construction of a new building, St. Mary's serves as the hub of the district for decades (even with new schools built).

location remains an active senior high school, teaching grades ten to twelve.