Welcome At Saint Mary’s School, we believe in empowering young women to lead, excel, and make a difference in the world.
As the fourth oldest all-girls boarding school in the United States, our rich legacy of academic excellence, character development, and holistic growth has been shaping exceptional individuals since 1842. Saint Mary’s is a vibrant community dedicated to fostering intellectual curiosity, personal achievement, and lifelong friendships. Join us in this exciting adventure of learning, growth, and discovery as you find out more about our academic programs, student life, and the opportunities that await you at Saint Mary’s School. We are here to help you reach your full potential and become the leaders of tomorrow.
Our Mission Saint Mary’s School is a community dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement where young women are prepared for college and life. Students are challenged to embrace the habits of an intellectual life, engaged with the past and the emerging future, and empowered to serve and shape their world. The school is committed to fostering in each young woman a spirit of connection to others, guiding her in developing her spiritual and ethical integrity and preparing her to take responsibility for herself and her future.
OUR CORE VALUES Excellence in Teaching and Learning Personal Achievement in Mind, Body, and Spirit Honor Community Heritage
At a Glance
Grades
315
9-12
Students
Founded in
1842 56% Day
44%
21%
Boarding
International students in boarding community
4th
Oldest girls’ boarding and day school in the country
23
acre campus in city setting
Episcopal Identity
Our Episcopal Heritage At the heart of the Saint Mary’s School legacy is our rich Episcopal heritage, which informs our values and calls us to respect the worth and dignity of every human being as we strive for justice and peace among all people. As an Episcopal school Saint Mary’s: • Celebrates God’s love for neighbor and for self • Values reason and education as a means of transformation • Upholds the value of worship as a way to come to know God • Strives to be inclusive and respectful Students from all faith traditions are welcome at Saint Mary’s School and given opportunities throughout the week to engage in religious and service activities.
• • • • • • •
Religious Studies Courses Tuesday and Friday Chapel Services La Palabra fellowship Student Vestry FOCUS (Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools) Sunday Morning Church Shuttle Sunday Evening Vespers
Our Diverse Community At Saint Mary’s, we embrace the unique strengths and aspirations of each student, cultivating an environment that celebrates diversity, encourages collaboration, and promotes self-confidence. Here, students from down the street and across the globe join an inclusive community where they create memories that last a lifetime, form lifelong friendships, and develop the skills and values necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world.
14
States
16
Countries
One of my favorite parts about being at Saint Mary’s is having made so many great friends. Being a boarder from North Carolina, it has been really nice to make connections with students from China, Ghana, and the Bahamas. These are some of my close friends now, and those connections are so important. Sally S. ’26
States Represented Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia Countries Represented China, Egypt, Georgia, Ghana, Japan, Liberia, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, the Bahamas, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uganda
A Time for Deeper Learning At Saint Mary’s School, we know what girls need to learn and thrive. We combine that with what we know of our fast-changing world to offer an education designed expressly for girls. Saint Mary’s rigorous curriculum challenges and prepares our students for the challenges of higher education and beyond, while also nurturing their passions and interests through a wide range of co-curricular activities.
3
Course distinctions: Advanced placement, Honors, Distinguished Scholars
8:1
23
AP courses
13
Student to teacher ratio
Average class size
73%
100%
Early Decision Commitments
College Acceptance
More than a Classroom Saint Mary’s dedicated faculty and staff are not only experts in their field; they are committed to providing an exceptional 21st-century education that goes beyond traditional classroom learning. Our academic environment offers girls both hands-on learning and opportunities for real-world experiences. Students are inspired to problem-solve, think creatively, innovate, and collaborate – all while challenging themselves to achieve more than they thought possible.
69%
Dual Enrollment
of teaching faculty hold advanced degrees
1:1
Academic advising program
19
Apple School
Average number of years faculty have been teaching
An Eduation That Transforms You
A Culture of Leadership Leadership education is the core of our academic and extracurricular programming, woven into every part of the student experience. Leadership isn’t just an isolated element of the curriculum; it’s the thread that ties all our programming together, ensuring that every student is empowered to lead with confidence and integrity.
Leadership Immersion Lab Saint Mary’s exclusive Leadership Immersion Lab is a groundbreaking program for 11th and 12th-grade boarding students. This initiative offers young women the chance to develop essential leadership skills through collaborative, experiential learning.
Seminar Program Students participate in Seminar as a class throughout their four years at Saint Mary’s, and create a portfolio for life. With curriculum tailored for each grade, the Seminar course series includes exciting opportunities for students to partner with resources and organizations in the greater Raleigh area, including The Green Chair Project, Disctrict C, and NC State University.
Our Daily Schedule Our A/B rotation schedule provides eight academic periods of 70 minutes each. Students have time to digest class material, work with classmates, and exercise design thinking. The schedule also provides more choices and access to elective courses as well as a dedicated study period.
Breakfast 7:00-8:30
Class 1st/5th 8:30-9:40 (9:00-10:10 Wednesday)
Class 2nd/6th 9:50-11:00 (10:20-11:30 Wednesday)
Advisory 11:00-11:10
Class 4th/8th 2:10-3:20
Tutorial 3:20-3:35
Afternoon Activities 3:45-6:00
Dinner 6:00-7:00
Assembly - Monday Chapel - Tuesday & Friday Community Time - Thursday 11:15-11:40
Study Hall 7:30-9:00
Evening Break 9:00-10:00
Lunch 11:45-12:45 (Advisory Lunch Wednesday)
Class 3rd/7th 12:50-2:00
In-Rooms 10:15
Lights Out 11:00
Our Broader View Travel is proven to broaden the mind, enrich the soul, and educate us about new places and other cultures. Through our global educational travel program, students build important skills like cross-cultural intelligence, communication, growth mindset and become globally competent leaders for today and tomorrow.
2025-2026 GLOBAL IMMERSION EXPERIENCES Ireland: Discover Dublin and the Southeast Greece: History, Culture, and Archaeology France: Lyon Group Exchange Dominican Republic: Service Project Australia: Perth Individual Exchange
A Place to Call Home At Saint Mary’s School, students immerse themselves into an exciting 24/7 learning and living community. Here, they will find a home-away-from-home. As students explore our modern living spaces in a historic environment, lush green spaces, and welcoming residence halls, they will discover an environment that encourages both personal reflection and social engagement. Our campus is fully gated with walking gates and a walking path enclosed within our gates. Extended access to campus facilities, additional time spent with teachers and peers, and a vibrant downtown Raleigh location further enrich their experience as they discover their unique talents, interests, and life goals. The residential community at Saint Mary’s School offers regular programming to empower students to be themselves confidently, grow in independence, and make healthy, informed, and ethical decisions.
23
3
Acre campus
30+
Campus pets
Residence Halls
2
full-time residential nurses
24/7
Campus Security
Where else do you get to live, learn, and grow in a place where the past, the present, and the future all feel like they’re having a conversation around you? Caroline White Instructor of Mathematics and Residential Faculty Member
Dive Into The Weekend
All weekend long, there are activities and events taking place on and off campus, including a weekly community service activity every Saturday. With 10 offerings from which to choose, there is something for everyone, and all activities are open to both boarding and day students.
From creative crafts and movie nights to exhilarating escape rooms and spa evenings, there’s something for everyone. Students can enjoy cultural festivals, cheer on their favorite football teams, dance at themed events, or even head out for a Target run. Whether it’s a concert, theater performance, or a low-key night with friends, our weekend activities offer endless ways to relax, connect, and make lasting memories.
Meet Your Team
Saint Mary’s boarding program offers a vibrant, 24/7 living and learning experience within a diverse, international community. Saint Mary’s creates a full-circle experience where academics, extracurriculars, leadership, and personal growth are deeply connected. Our faculty and advisors work closely with each student, offering expert guidance on everything from course selection and college essays to discovering her voice as a leader. New students are also paired with a 1:1 Sister Saint student leader and prefects who serve as mentors to help with their transition. Living alongside peers from across the country and around the world, each girl becomes part of an inclusive, empowering community. She’s more than a student—she’s a changemaker, a friend, and a vital part of something bigger. At Saint Mary’s, she is known, supported, and inspired to lead with confidence and purpose.
College Counseling
Dorm Parent
Nurse Student Advisor
Security Officer
360° Approach
Academic Leadership
Teacher Head of School Student Life
A Place to Pursue Your Passion Saint Mary’s offers a wide range of clubs and organizations for extracurricular participation. All students have the opportunity to explore new interests and cultivate leadership skills by engaging in these enriching experiences that will prepare students for future academic and professional endeavors. Whatever your interests, you will find an organization to express yourself and grow as a leader.
Student-Led Clubs at Saint Mary’s Asian Student Union Black Student Union Catholic Coffee Club DECA Epilogue FOCUS Food For All Future Medical Professionals Club Gaming Club Garden and Sustainability HOLA Ladies In Blue Language Learning Friends LGBTQ+ Alliance Model UN One Love Club Pickleball Club
Science Olympiad Self-Defense and Wellness Service League SMS Historical Society SMS Youth and Government Spanish Club Stocks and Finance Club Supersonic Dance Crew Teen Entrepreneurship Club The Belles The Bookmark Club The Mental Health & Neurodiversity Club Trapshooting Club Women in Stem Young Democrats Young Republicans
Saint Mary’s also provides a variety of student leadership roles and opportunities to join esteemed honor societies, allowing students to develop their leadership skills and be recognized for their academic achievements.
Unleash Your Inner Champion
Saint Mary’s offers a full interscholastic athletic program, consisting of 20 teams across 13 sports between varsity and junior varsity fall, winter, and spring seasons. Basketball Cheerleading Cross Country Field Hockey Flag Football Golf Lacrosse
Soccer Softball Swimming Tennis Track and Field Volleyball
*New partnership with MacNair’s Country Acres provides equestrian activities.
Our after-school fitness program, Triangle Fitness, is designed for all students to exercise their mind, body, and spirit. This graduation requirement can be fulfilled by selecting activities such as team sports, yoga, after-school dance, and drama.
Showcase Your Creativity
Whether you’re bound for art school or just like to doodle, want to become a professional singer, or just enjoy singing in the shower, hope to dance on Broadway or just turn a move at prom, you’ll find classes that challenge and teachers who inspire.
Our Urban Advantage The Saint Mary’s School historic, residential 23-acre campus is a beautiful green oasis set in the heart of North Carolina’s vibrant capital city of Raleigh. Our downtown location is a uniquely special setting for a boarding school, providing unparalleled cultural, industrial, and educational opportunities for our students. Saint Mary’s is in walking distance of the state capitol and downtown, giving students easy access to world-class science, art, and history museums, live performances, restaurants, historic sites, churches, and shopping. The school is also conveniently located within easy driving distance of Research Triangle Park, the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, PNC Arena, home of the NHL Carolina Hurricanes, and several institutions of higher education including internationally-recognized North Carolina State University, Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
#1
Best Performing City in US for Economic Growth by the Milken Institute
#3
Ranking for Best Places to Live in America by US News and World Report
Top 10
Raleigh in Top 10 Safest Cities in US by Far & Wide
2
hours from the beach
10
minute walk to downtown shopping and dining
3
hours from the mountains
20
minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport
Built On Traditions
Before the end of your first week, you will experience the excitement and exhilaration of a Saint Mary’s tradition which dates back 125 years. Sigma Mu Day is like none other. As the year continues, you will celebrate many long-standing and beloved traditions. Whether festive or poignant, loud or quiet, our traditions bring us together fostering school spirit and building a strong sense of community.
Marshals Honor Code Signing Sigma-Mu Truckin’ in the Grove Rave Formal Dinner Junior Ring Ceremony Lighting O’ the Grove School Hymn Winter Formal Spring Fling Formal Community Dinner
A Network for Your Future Saint Mary’s College Counseling program prioritizes students’ needs, focusing on finding the right fit for their academic and personal growth. Beginning in ninth grade, students have access to dedicated counselors who guide them through seminars and individual meetings. Two full-time college counselors support our students every step of the way through intentional programming and as supporters and advocates through the application process and eventual matriculation. 65 members of the class of 2025 were accepted to 121 colleges and universities across the US and abroad. They are enrolled at 36 different institutions in 21 states, and the United Kingdom with 74 percent attending colleges and universities out-of-state and 26 percent attending colleges and universities in NC. 45 percent are attending private colleges and universities, and 55 percent are attending public colleges and universities.
100%
admitted to four-year colleges and universities
73%
committed early decision
Faithful Friends and Comrades Sure Commencement is the culmination of each student’s Saint Mary’s education. It embodies personal touches of academic excellence, personal achievement, friendship, tradition, grace, honor, dignity, and courage that are hallmarks of the Saint Mary’s experience.
Saint Mary’s School Hymn We build our School on Thee, O Lord; To Thee we bring our common need; The loving heart, the helpful word, The tender thought, the kindly deed.
Hold Thou each hand to keep it just; Touch Thou our lips and make them pure; If Thou art with us, Lord, we must Be faithful friends and comrades sure.
We work together in Thy sight; We live together in Thy love; Guide Thou our falt’ring steps aright, And lift our thoughts to heaven above.
We change, but Thou art still the same; The same good Master, Teacher, Friend; We change, but Lord, we bear Thy Name, To journey with it to the end. AMEN.
What Saints Say
Saint Mary’s has taught me there is no limit to how much you can achieve, and no limit to how much you can love others everyday. Colleen E. ’26
As a student at Saint Mary’s, I’ve learned how to be myself. Saint Mary’s provides an environment that’s safe from judgement. It also challenges students to grow themselves academically. Emily W. ’26
It has been such a joy to watch our girls flourish and develop connections that they will have forever. We know there are a lot of options out there, but I am confident that prospective families will find Saint Mary’s offers a unique opportunity to ensure their daughters make the most of their high school journey. Kelly S. P’22,’25
An Open Door to Opportunities At Saint Mary’s School, you are more than a student. You are a member of a very special community dedicated to your transformation. Through academics, activities, and relationships, we celebrate your uniqueness and develop your potential. This is your chance to challenge yourself, stretch your boundaries, and shine your light in the world.
Come see what makes us special and while you’re here, we’d love to learn what makes you special, too.
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Connect
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900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 | 919.424.4100 | sms.edu | admission@sms.edu
Find what you need at sms.edu. Saint Mary’s School is an independant, college-preparatory, Episcopal, boarding and day school serving girls in grades 9 through 12. Saint Mary’s School is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization governed by a Board of Trustees. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and is a member of the National Association of Independant Schools (NAIS), the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS), the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES), the Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), and the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS).