2026-2027
ST. MARY’S SCHOOL
GUIDE TO ENGAGEMENT AND PHILANTHROPY
WHO WE ARE
DEAR ST. MARY’S COMMUNITY, Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year!
Mission: World-Sized Hearts. World-Class Minds. Vision:
As we begin another exciting chapter, my heart is filled with gratitude for St. Mary’s. Each year, one of my favorite things is watching our community grow while staying rooted in who we are. We welcome new families, celebrate favorite traditions, create new memories, and continue finding ways to make the St. Mary’s experience even better.
We envision a generation of globally-minded leaders who are grounded in purpose and inspired to design solutions for the world.
From the opening of the Sillers Center to the completion of the Falcon Field and our outdoor play spaces, we continue to enhance the student experience because of families who believe deeply in our school and what is possible when we come together. Now comes the best part— watching our students bring these spaces to life.
Values:
This year, our team is excited to create more opportunities to connect, celebrate, and surprise and delight our community. Through events, volunteer opportunities, philanthropy, and family experiences, our goal is simple: bring people together and strengthen what makes St. Mary’s so special.
Our Values are the essence of our community —the principles upon which we make our daily decisions.
Stay Curious
At St. Mary’s, curiosity is our spark. It’s why we ask big questions, seek deeper understanding and design new possibilities for our shared future.
Be Kind
Compassion guides how we treat one another. By practicing empathy and care, we create a community where every person feels known, valued and respected.
Seek to Understand
Listening with openness helps us see through others’ eyes and recognize how every person’s story, shaped by culture, faith and experience, expands our understanding of the world.
At the heart of this work are our refreshed values: Stay Curious, Be Kind, Seek to Understand, Own Your Actions, and Share Your Gifts. These values guide how we show up for one another and remind us that everyone has something meaningful to contribute. You’ll see these values in action throughout the year, including through the continued growth of the St. Mary’s Scholar Program, which provides need-based scholarships for exceptional Middle School students from underserved communities. By removing financial barriers to a St. Mary’s education, we welcome students who bring their own talents, perspectives, and passions while strengthening the experience for everyone. This Guide to Engagement and Philanthropy is your invitation to jump in. Attend an event, volunteer your time, share your talents, support what inspires you, and find the moments that matter most to your family.
Own Your Actions
Thank you for showing up, giving generously, and making St. Mary’s the incredible community we all get to be part of. Here’s to another wonderful year together.
Share Your Gifts
With gratitude,
We are each responsible for the mark we leave. At St. Mary’s, we care for ourselves and one another, learning from experience and intentionally choosing how we move forward. Each of us has creativity and purpose to offer. By sharing our ideas and talents generously, we contribute to something greater than ourselves.
Jen Staudenbaur
Executive Director of Advancement
jen.staudenbaur@smaa.org
2026–2027 KEY EVENTS We encourage all parents to attend and support these fun, meaningful events that benefit the St. Mary’s community.
Founder’s Day:
Oct 2, 2026, 4PM-6PM, St. Mary’s Campus Celebrating the legacy of our founder, Father Sillers, this cherished afternoon brings our entire community together for some start-of-the-school-year fun!
St. Mary’s Fund Campaign:
Oct 2—Dec 31, 2026 Our top fundraising priority, bridging the gap between tuition and the true cost of a St. Mary’s education.
Golf Classic:
Nov 2, 2026, 8:30AM-5PM, Aliso Viejo Country Club A beloved tradition supporting St. Mary’s, bringing the Falcon community together for a spectacular day on the course. Golfers of all skill levels are welcome.
Giving Week:
Nov 16—Nov 20, 2026, St. Mary’s Campus A community-wide effort dedicated to supporting the St. Mary’s Fund. Driven by our dedicated St. Mary’s Fund Parent Committee, this week is packed with activations, community outreach, and meaningful ways to give back.
Grandparents & Special Friends Day:
Nov 20, 2026, 10AM-12PM, St. Mary’s Campus A day where we welcome grandparents or special family friends to experience our programs in action and visit classrooms.
Winter Market:
Dec 11, 2026, 4 PM-8PM, St. Mary’s Campus A celebration highlighting the Arts and the Holiday season. Enjoy live performances, seasonal treats, and browse an artisan market.
Father-Daughter Dance:
Jan 29, 2027, 5PM-7:30PM, St. Mary’s Campus Enjoy an evening of music, dancing, and meaningful moments, celebrating the special bond between fathers and daughters
Jog-A-Thon:
Feb 12, 2027, St. Mary’s Campus A student-led tradition that directly supports our campus athletics. Students champion the cause by inviting friends, family, and extended relatives to support them, creating some friendly competition around campus.
St. Mary’s Benefit Dinner & Gala:
Apr 17, 2027, 5PM-10PM, Waldorf Astoria Our marquee fundraising event, this extraordinary evening raises funds for programs and strategic initiatives that directly impact every Falcon.
Mother-Son Game Night:
Apr 30, 2027, 4PM-6PM, St. Mary’s Campus Enjoy an action-packed evening of friendly competition, games, laughter, and unforgettable memories, reminding us of the special love between a mother and son..
IB Hub Book Fair:
May 24—May 27, 2027, St. Mary’s Campus A favorite campus tradition that directly grows our IB Hub library while encouraging a lifelong love of reading in our students.
This year’s PTF Executive Committee includes:
COMMUNITY & PARENT FELLOWSHIP One of St. Mary’s greatest strengths is the strong sense of community shared among our students, families, faculty, and staff. We’re proud to be an inclusive campus that values and encourages family participation. The Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF) is our parent community, and it exists to help build connections, making our school stronger through events, volunteer opportunities, and shared experiences. Whether you help with a classroom party, join a planning team, or simply show up to cheer at a school event, you are part of the PTF—and your presence makes a difference! Your PTF Board: This group of approximately 20 parent volunteers serves in leadership roles within the PTF. The team helps plan and coordinate activities that enrich the educational, cultural, spiritual, and social life of our school.
VOLUNTEERING AT ST. MARY’S Whether you have an hour a week or a single afternoon during the year, there is a place for your talents. Volunteer opportunities are published consistently via the Falcon Connect Parent Portal, the Falcon Flyer, and Room Parent communications. Some fun and meaningful ways to get involved:
PTF President: Maggie Liu Luna Sui (Grade 2) & Chloe Sui (Grade 1) “It is a profound honor to serve this community—a community I am truly blessed to call my family.”
PTF Vice President: Alisha McCullough Sofia (Grade 3), Liam (Kindergarten), Chance (Early Preschool)
“We chose St. Mary’s for its mission of World-Sized Hearts, World-Class Minds. I’m grateful to serve the community that has become our family’s second home.”
PTF Parliamentarian: Carey Tushin Vile Kacey (Grade 6) & Avery (Grade 4)
“I love that this school builds world-class minds and compassionate, culturally aware kids — and I’m grateful for the teachers shaping who my daughters are becoming.”
Care and Compassion Committee
Be part of a group that reaches out with kindness and care to support families through prayer and to lift up our community during times of need.
Other Opportunities:
Drop-in shifts are available throughout the year to serve daily lunch, lend a helping hand in Art Class, support our track meets, assist backstage at school musicals, run various stations at the Jog-A-Thon, help at the Book Fair, and more.
Room Parent and Class Party Leads
Work side-by-side with faculty to coordinate class celebrations, manage parent communications, and support grade-level projects.
St. Mary’s Fund Committee
Scan the QR Code to visit the PTF Portal for Volunteer Sign-Ups
Champion our annual giving by assisting with parent-to-parent outreach, stewardship initiatives, and community engagement.
For more information on how to get involved, please contact:
Golf and Gala Committees
Greg McCollum Parent Engagement & Events Manager (949) 448-9027 x328 greg.mccollum@smaa.org
Help shape and promote two of our community’s signature events by assisting with sponsor curation, silent/live auction acquisitions, decor, and event-day logistics.
PHILANTHROPY AT ST. MARY’S
PARTNERSHIP OF TUITION & GIVING As a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, St. Mary’s relies on a strategic partnership of tuition, fees, and annual philanthropic support.
BRIDGING THE GAP 90% Covered by Tuition & Fees Handles our foundational day-to-day operations, facilities, utilities, and baseline curriculum requirements.
10% Bridged by Philanthropy This critical margin empowers the school to immediately say “yes” to cutting-edge academic curriculum, enhanced STEAM programs, and the recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty. Your philanthropic support is not an afterthought or an add-on—it is a core, built-in component of our annual financial structure that directly impacts every Falcon, every single day. PHILANTHROPY & GIVING
10%
90%
TUITION As a 501 (c)(3) corporation, gifts to St. Mary’s are taxdeductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. Tax identification number 33-0771131.
FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE ST. MARY’S FUND
ST. MARY’S SCHOLAR PROGRAM
CAPITAL PROJECTS & MAJOR GIFTS
Our top fundraising priority, the St. Mary’s Fund bridges the per-student gap between tuition and the true cost of an extraordinary education.
The St. Mary’s Scholar Program provides full-tuition, comprehensive Middle School scholarships to students whose families otherwise could not afford a St. Mary’s education.
Strategic initiatives designated by our school leadership and the Board of Trustees as priority fundraising opportunities.
By providing resources needed to support our programs, the arts, athletics, daily experiences, and retaining and developing our world-class faculty who spark lifelong confidence.
The St. Mary’s Fund Giving Week will run from Nov. 16 to Nov. 20. Driven by our Parent Committee, this week is packed with campus activations, community outreach, and meaningful ways to give back. Our goal is 100% community participation— every gift, no matter the size, makes an impact.
By removing barriers, we give deserving students full access to our community, providing everything from daily transportation and course materials to extracurricular programs and field studies. This year, the Scholar Program is our premier philanthropic focus and the marquee spotlight at our annual Benefit Dinner & Gala. Join us in opening doors to a lifechanging future.
These specialized projects focus on expanding, renovating, and modernizing our campus footprint to ensure our physical learning environments match the worldclass innovation and creativity defining a St. Mary’s education.
If your family is interested in exploring a major gift, naming opportunity, or learning more about upcoming institutional priorities slated by the Board of Trustees, please contact Jen Staudenbaur, Executive Director of Advancement, to schedule a conversation.
WAYS TO GIVE ONLINE • CHECK • MATCHING GIFTS • SECURITIES CORPORATE & FOUNDATION GRANTS LEARN MORE AT SMAA.ORG/GIVE
HAVE A QUESTION OR WANT TO GET INVOLVED? Advancement Strategy, Campaigns, Capital Projects, & Campus Initiatives
Jen Staudenbaur
Executive Director of Advancement jen.staudenbaur@smaa.org St. Mary’s Fund, Annual Giving, Leadership Gifts, & Supporting School Priorities
Sarah Abuel-Saud
Director of Annual & Leadership Giving sarah.abuel-saud@smaa.org
WAYS TO STAY ENGAGED
Senior Development Associate & New Family Engagement Manager
Cara Acker
Development Associate cara.acker@smaa.org Alumni, Grandparents, & Special Programs
Virtue Byrd
Director of Community Engagement & Advancement Programs virtue.byrd@smaa.org Events, Volunteering, PTF, & Sponsorship Or Partnership Opportunities
Greg McCollum
Parent Engagement & Events Manager greg.mccollum@smaa.org
PARENT PORTAL Your primary hub for school calendars, household updates, volunteer opportunities, directory access, and essential campus resources.
INSTAGRAM Follow @stmarysib for daily moments of campus life, event highlights, student spotlights, and behind-thescenes stories from our community.
LINKEDIN Connect with our professional network to stay informed on institutional updates, faculty achievements, alumni highlights, and community partnerships.
SHARE YOUR HEART Introduce yourself, let us know what you do, and share what brings you and your family joy and purpose!.
FALCON FLYER Weekly newsletter emailed on Fridays to all parents, grandparents, faculty and staff highlighting campus happenings, events and ways to get involved in St. Mary’s.
ENGAGEMENT & PHILANTHROPY