St. Mary’s Mary’s Academy
2020: Year in Review
A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE It truly has been a year like never before and one we certainly could not have imagined. Despite the ever-changing and ongoing challenges, the St. Mary’s community has risen to the occasion and has left us speechless with unmatched creativity, perseverance and generosity. Time and time again, our faculty and staff have explored new ways of teaching and connecting with students. They have stretched the bounds of their own ingenuity to deliver the life-changing experience and premier Catholic education for which St. Mary’s has become known. Our students have responded to this outpouring of dedication by also rising, each on her own but also as a collective. We’ve seen the bonds of friendship grow stronger, despite the physical distance and their spirit and leadership shine through. We are continuing to witness a heartwarming level of selflessness and commitment to others in our students’ response to service opportunities – and of course, we watch with pride as students continue to excel in academics and extra-curricular pursuits. And, you, our supporters, have gone to unimagined lengths to ensure we can continue to make a St. Mary’s education accessible to any young woman who desires it, especially in this time of increased need. For this, we owe each of you a debt of gratitude. Thank you for ensuring our foundation is unshakeable and for proving that our future is bright and our community is stronger than ever. As 2020 comes to an end, we remain incredibly optimistic and are reminded that this is a year to be grateful and reflect on all the ways our families and supporters have shared in our commitment to educating young women when it matters most. We know St. Mary’s Academy and our students will continue to shine as a beacon of light.
I
THE COURAGE TO LEAD IN DIGITAL LEARNING
In a Year Like Never Before...
The St. Mary’s Spirit Shines
We’ve seen our students rise to the occ
The
STRENGTH CREATIVITY FAITH RESILIENCE JOY COURAGE COMPASSION COMMUNITY
of Our Students
s Brighter than Ever in 2020
casion like no one could have imagined. Girls’ School Graduates: • • • • • •
Have stronger academic skills Are more academically engaged Demonstrate higher science self-confidence Display higher levels of cultural competency Express stronger community involvement Exhibit increased political engagement National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, 12/2018
THE FUTURE IS NOW
At their heart,
girls’ schools are places of leadership.
Places where community and collaboration, agency and self-efficacy flourish. But most of all, girls’ schools are places of incredible innovation. - NCGS
At girls’ schools, students are encouraged – really, expected – to speak their minds, without interruption... nearly 87% of girls’ school students feel
their voices their opinions - are respected compared to 58% of girls at coed schools.
- NCGS
Grounded in Faith and
Student interest in Everyone is looking f
d Serving One Another
MARIANS SING THE ALMA MATER
FOUNDERS’ DAY PRAYER SERVICE
service and giving back is off the charts! for ways to connect and help their community. community.
Our Pillars of Partnership
Leadership & Wellness
St. Mary’s Academy is the only high school in the state of Oregon to award graduating seniors an Advanced Leadership Endorsement. In 2020, St. Mary’s recognized 41 seniors with this honor.
Despi St. Ma opport equity feel va
D
ite the physical distance associated with digital learning, ary’s stretched creatively to offer unmatched leadership tunities for students and elevated the work of diversity, y and inclusion, ensuring all members of our community alued and that they belong.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Everything from classes to performing arts to athletics shifted to a digital format. Even our school tours and welcome back assembly, complete with the traditional surprise faculty/staff dance, went virtual. We are constantly blown away by the ways
our community has innovated. innovated.
SCHOOL TOURS GO 3D
WELCOME BACK ASSEMBLY
Innov Innovation, Technology & Creativity
St. Mary’s Academy is committed to carrying out the mission of our founders – to educate all young women, particularly students whose families lack financial resources to pay the cost of full tuition. At the height of the pandemic, the St. Mary’s Academy leadership team and Board of Directors boldly called upon their faith and fortitude to consider the most impactful questions and courageously plan for the future. One truth continued to emerge – St. Mary’s Academy must expand the number of students for whom we are able to provide tuition assistance. As an institution, we have met this challenge by committing to increase our tuition assistance budget for the 2020-2021 school year. In dedication to our mission, our tuition assistance budget is now at an all-time high in the school’s 161 year history.
OVER
$2.2 MILLION
IN TUITION ASSISTANCE AWARDED TO 41% OF ST. MARY’S CURRENT FAMILIES
AVERAGE FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE: $8,000
Tuition Assistance “This scholarship has allowed me to continue my education at an institution I love. It’s one thing to go to a great school, but it’s another thing to truly love where I go. Because of this scholarship I am lucky to say I can embrace both. It is because of St. Mary’s that I have gone outside of my comfort zone, tried new things, and embraced who I am.” Hanney Alemu ’21 recipient of the McCarthy Family Scholarship “This scholarship has made it possible for me to reach my academic and career dreams. Going to SMA has truly shaped me into the person I am. I have met my best friends, I have learned how to feel confident in my academic and social achievements, and I have been opened up to so many unique opportunities that I might not have been able to experience if it weren’t for SMA.” Maeve Sievertsen ’21, recipient of the Virginia Mathews Endowed Scholarship “This scholarship has allowed me to attend an amazing and outstanding school. This school has made me feel like I am at home. To the person who funded my scholarship, I thank you for supporting my attendance at this amazing school. I am here because of you. You are the one who made it happen.” Bri Garcia ’23, recipient of the Sr. Beverly Miles, SNJM ‘51 Music Scholarship “Beyond the financial means to attend St. Mary’s, my donors have provided me with brilliant friendships, captivating classes, engaged teachers, and a beautiful community I never thought I’d have the privilege of calling my own. Without my scholarship, attending St. Mary’s would’ve been out of the question and with the help of two of the most generous people I know, my dream became a reality.” Shay Alexander ’22, recipient of the Bob & Sue Harold Endowed Scholarship
Your Investment at Work
GA THE C EDUC
How We Close the Gap
Fundraising initiatives, such as annual events and the St. Mary’s Fund, close the gap between the cost of subsidized tuition and the actual cost of educating each student at St. Mary’s. St. Mary’s Fund: Supports our Pillars of Partnership programs – Technology, Innovation & Creativity, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Leadership & Wellness, Tuition Assistance Food For Thought: Funds our tuition assistance program, now budgeted at an all-time high in school history and supporting 41% of our student body St. Mary’s Annual Auction: Supports our tuition assistance and programmatic expenses Student Fundraiser: Community event led by students supporting programmatic expenses
What You’ve Made Possib SWIVL OLOGY TECHN
IGITAL D D E C N ENHA MMING PROGRA NT GAGEME N E D N A UNITIES T R O P P O
OP WORKSH Y DA WEDNES NG MMI PROGRA
SUPP AND F FOR A TSTUDE N
TU ASS ITION ISTA NC
E
Now more than ever, we are grateful for the incredible support of our entire community of St. Mary’s corporate partners, parents, alumnae, parents of alumnae and scholarship donors.
AP IN COST OF CATION
ACE Program Each year, families are encouraged to fill this gap in the cost of education by contributing the tax-deductible amount of $5,300 to cover the actual cost of educating their child.
ble This Year
PLIES FEES -NEED NTS
G FUNDIN P IN THE GA TION EDUCA
PSU CHALLENGE CLASS TUITION FOR AT-NEED STUDENTS
Direct Donor Impact I look back with such gratitude for all the terrific teachers and friends
at St. Mary’s Academy. With all the fond memories of my 4 years there, I always planned to put St. Mary’s in my will, but then I thought, ‘Why not give back now?’. Because Sr. Beverly Miles SNJM was such an inspiration, as both a student and later in my music career, I established a scholarship in her name.” - Kathy Richard ’75, alumna
Leaving Your Legacy
INCR E DEI ASED WOR K
Profound gratitude goes out to all 135 members of our Mother Marie-Rose Heritage Society - those still with us and those who have gone before us. These alumnae, parents, teachers and friends have each extended the impact of their personal values beyond their own lifetimes through careful estate planning, and in doing so have helped secure the future of St. Mary’s.
So Much to Celebrate
“We are happ women. We f foundation wh and she is thri
Gratitu FOOD FOR THOUGHT 2020
“Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful
and believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.” - Misty Copeland, Principal Dancer
In only 30 days, St. Mary’s was for American Ballet Theatre among the very first to transform the annual auction into a successful and engaging virtual event thanks to our generous community of donors. The same held true for the first-ever virtual Food for Thought where community members from across the globe gathered virtually to support the young women of St. Mary’s Academy.
py to continue to support St. Mary’s and the great work the school provides to young feel blessed that our daughter was able to attend and be gifted the strong academic hich she is drawing from now! She was able to attend her first semester of college this fall iving!” – Gabe Petersen, parent of alumna
ude in Unprecedented Times “Our freshman daughter has had such a great start at SMA. It’s been so comforting to us to have
so many people looking out for her. The school has been doing the absolute best it can and we’ve been really impressed with the academics and organization.” – Jessica Hickox Meyer ’94, current parent Mya Brazile ’19, alumna
Jennifer Zeidman, current parent
“I love that St. Marys encourages
diversity and is focused on the entire individual and not just
“Love that my daughters can get a good education and learn to be strong independent people.”
the education of an individual.”
- Ashley Spitzer Petersen ’98, alumna Mary Whitaker ’16, alumna & Marilyn Brown Whitaker, parent of alumna & St. Mary’s Board Member
- John Ostrowski, current parent
The Future is Now!
St. Mary’s Academy 1615 SW 5th Avenue | Portland, OR | 97201 smapdx.org