Saint Mary's School

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Saint Mary's School Photo #1 - Saint Mary's School, an all-girls, Episcopal, college preparatory, boarding and day high school located on a 23-acre, historic campus in the heart of Raleigh, N.C. More at www.sms.edu.
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Saint Mary's School Photo #1 - Saint Mary's School, an all-girls, Episcopal, college preparatory, boarding and day high school located on a 23-acre, historic campus in the heart of Raleigh, N.C. More at www.sms.edu.
Saint Mary's School Photo #2 - At Saint Mary's School, girls are challenged to BE BOLD, to BE INSPIRED, to BE PREPARED, and to BE EXTRAORDINARY. More at www.sms.edu.
Saint Mary's School Photo #3 - Arts education at Saint Mary's School include studio art, dance, theatre, chorale and instrumental ensembles, and applied music studies. More at www.sms.edu.
Saint Mary's School Photo #4 - Saint Mary's School athletics offers 11 sports including volleyball, lacrosse, golf, tennis, cross country, soccer, field hockey, softball, swimming, basketball, track and field. The school is a member of the Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference and the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association. More at www.sms.edu.
Saint Mary's School Photo #5 - Located in downtown Raleigh, N.C., and in close proximity to the Research Triangle, Saint Mary's School students enjoy easy access to all this vibrant community has to offer. More at www.sms.edu.
Saint Mary's School Photo #6 - Saint Mary's School has a rich Episcopal heritage that informs community values and inspires girls to act with honor and to respect the worth and dignity all. More at www.sms.edu.
Saint Mary's School Photo #7 - Saint Mary's has a 100% acceptance rate to selective colleges and universities around the world. The school's college counselors work closely with students and their families as they navigate the college admission process.
Saint Mary's School Photo #8 - College Decision Day offers a fun way to celebrate major milestones. The Class of 2021 was accepted into 158 colleges and universities and are attending 46 separate institutions in 19 states, D.C., and Scotland. Learn more about our College Counseling program at www.sms.edu.
Saint Mary's School in Raleigh, North Carolina, is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory, boarding and day school that challenged girls in grades 9-12 to BE BOLD, to BE PREPARED, to BE INSPIRED, and to BECOME EXTRAORDINARY.
Founded in 1842, the historic, residential 23-acre campus is located in the heart of North Carolina's capital city of Raleigh, offering easy access to all the city has to offer as well as a safe, peaceful oasis in the midst of the hustle and bustle.
With a mission to prepare girls for college and life, Saint Mary`s immerses girls in a dynamic learning environment offering both hands-on classroom learning and opportunities for real-world experiences.Focused on developing key competencies like critical thinking, collaboration, cross-cultural intelligence, and new media literacy, Saint Mary`s offers AP courses, innovative electives, a unique seminar program, college counseling, a rich arts program, 11 sports, and a thriving urban location.In keeping with our Episcopal tradition, the Saint Mary's School community respects the worth and dignity of every person.
As a boarding and day school, students learn and live beside girls from across the region, the state, the country, and the world as they explore new ideas, deepen their understanding, and grow as young women of intelligence, integrity, and purpose.
Saint Mary's School offers four merit-based scholarships each year, including a $15,000 Capital Scholarship (awarded annually) AND a "full-ride" Honors Scholarship for boarding students. To learn more, visit our website.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked NC School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 312 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $31,600
  • Acceptance rate: 85%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 30 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Saint Mary's School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in North Carolina for:

School Overview

Student Body

Total Students
312 students
Student Body Type
% Students of Color
16%
State avg.: 23%
Students by Grade
Saint Mary's School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
40 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
76%
Average Class Size
14 students
Number of AP Courses
21 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
2-D Art and Design, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Comparative Government and Politics, Computer Science, Drawing, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, French Language and Culture, Latin, Multivariable Calculus, Physics, Psychology, Spanish Language and Culture, Statistics, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Jan. 30 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Boarding Tuition: $68,250
% on Financial Aid
28%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$33,810
Acceptance Rate
85%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Katie Bradbury Wellman
Endowment Size
$34.2 million

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
56 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Admission Ambassadors, Animal Rights Club, Art Share Club, Babysitting Club, Beacon - Senior Honorary Leadership Club, Black Student Union, Bookmark Club, Cooking Club, Debate Club, Development Ambassadors, Diversity-Equity-Inclusion Ambassadors, Equity Club, Fashion Club, Film Club, Fine Arts in Business, FOCUS, Folding For Fun, French Culture Club, Granddaughters Club, HOLA (Hispanic/LatinX) Affinity Group, Hopeful Thinking Club, Human Rights Alliance, International Thespian Society, K-Pop Club, Knitting Club, LGBTQ Alliance, Mathemagicians Club, Model United Nations Club, Mu Captains, Music Composition Club, Music Share, National Honor Society, One Love Club, Photography Club, Pickleball Club, Psychology Club, Quill and Scroll International Honor Society for High School Journalists, Robotics Club, Saints Who Code, Science Olympiad, Service League Club, Shop1842, Sigma Captains, Ski Club, Spanish Club, Student Government Association, The Belles (Student Newspaper), The Chords, The Outing Club, Trapshooting Club, Undivided Attention Club (tutoring), Young Democrats, Young Republicans

Arts and Music Programs:
Chorale, Echo - Senior Washtub Singing Group, Ladies in Blue a capella group

School Notes

  • Saint Mary's School in Raleigh, North Carolina, is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory, boarding and day school that challenges girls in grades 9-12 to BE BOLD, BE INSPIRED, BE PREPARED, and BE EXTRAORDINARY.Established in 1842, the school is celebrating 175 years of academic excellence and personal achievement for girls.
  • Saint Mary`s was founded on the belief that an educated woman can make a difference. That`s why Saint Mary`s offers honors and AP courses, three languages, 11 sports, a renowned arts program, college counseling, leadership education, a unique four-year seminar program, service learning, travel opportunities, and more. Dedicated faculty know each girl well and help guide her as she finds her voice, expands her understanding, and achieves more than she ever imagined.As a boarding and day school, Saint Mary`s students live and learn beside girls from around the state, the country and the world.
  • An integrated hands-on academic program, challenges girls to embrace the habits of a lifelong learner critical thinking, communication, character and guides them in building a foundation for college and life. Leadership curriculum and real-life experiences empower girls to serve and shape their world with courage and purpose. Dozens of sports, clubs, music and arts studies, volunteer and real-world experiences mean girls can explore and discover new talents and passions. Saint Mary`s rich Episcopal heritage informs values and inspires girls to act with honor and to respect the worth and dignity all.
  • In addition, Saint Mary`s historic, 23-acre campus located in downtown Raleigh, and within close proximity to the Research Triangle, offers a uniquely vibrant 24/7 learning and living community that provides every girl with what she needs to learn, grow and thrive as she becomes a young woman of intelligence, integrity, and purpose.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Bevin Prince '00 - Actress, known for "One Tree Hill"
    • Alex Marshall-Brown '03 - Actress, stunt woman
    • Sara Rose Nordgren '00 - Writer, Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize-winner
    • Anne Russell '43 - Broadway star, "Hello, Dolly!"
    • Betty Ray McCain '50 - First female to lead the NC Democratic Party
    • Mary Dana Hinton '88 - Hollins University President
    • Betty Debnam Hunt '49 - Founder and creator of the Mini Pages
    • Cara Bayley Bosca '41 - Women’s Airforce Service Pilot, WWII
    • Raven McDonald '96 - Women's professional soccer player, New York Power
    • Marjorie Buckley Bryant '60 - Founder, NC Outward Bound
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Saint Mary's School cost?
Saint Mary's School's tuition is approximately $31,600 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Saint Mary's School?
The acceptance rate of Saint Mary's School is 85%, which is lower than the national average of 87%.
Who are famous alumni from Saint Mary's School?
Saint Mary's School famous alumni include: Bevin Prince '00, Alex Marshall-Brown '03, Sara Rose Nordgren '00, Anne Russell '43, Betty Ray McCain '50, Mary Dana Hinton '88, Betty Debnam Hunt '49, Cara Bayley Bosca '41, Raven McDonald '96 and Marjorie Buckley Bryant '60.
What sports does Saint Mary's School offer?
Saint Mary's School offers 12 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. Saint Mary's School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in North Carolina for most sports offered.
What is Saint Mary's School's ranking?
When is the application deadline for Saint Mary's School?
The application deadline for Saint Mary's School is Jan. 30 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 30 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
What neighborhood is Saint Mary's School located?
Saint Mary's School is located in the Forest Park neighborhood of Raleigh, NC.

School Calendar

View the Saint Mary's School yearly calendar below.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (2 reviews)
5  
What an amazing school experience for my twin daughters and our family! In addition to helping our girls academically succeed and be prepared for college, the school also centers core teaching and learning on developing social skills, nurturing their spiritual life, and provided numerous leadership opportunities. When they graduated, both were accepted to MULTIPLE colleges and universities, and they are better prepared than others in their peer group who did not go to an all-girls' school. We watched as our girls discovered who they wanted to become as individuals, as school leaders, and how core competencies they developed will be used in college and later in their professional careers. Our daughters were boarding students who had the "full" Saint Mary's experience; they felt safe and nurtured as part of a campus community. We are thrilled with the result. We highly recommend Saint Mary's School! #GoSaints!
- Posted by
5  
My daughter graduated from SMS with honors. My wife and I chose SMS to give her an empowering all-girls experience and she received that and more. She was a day student and enrolled as a sophomore later in the academic year. Not only did the faculty and staff make her feel welcome, but the students were also so welcoming and supportive that it blew our minds. She was partnered with a "sister Saint" who helped her navigate those first weeks, and soon she was joining clubs and organizations. In her junior year, she joined several extracurricular opportunities (theatre, dance) and thrived. She took on leadership positions and then tried seasonal boarding during the time frame she was part of the theatre cast for a performance in the spring. It helped her balance her academic load, which is challenging, with her need for social and personal growth. We can honestly say that Saint Mary's was the best thing that happened for our daughter and we watched her blossom. She's now a sophomore in college, had absolutely no issues transitioning, and has found the academic rigor on par with her high school, as they prepared her for college just as they said they would. She's outgoing, fun-loving, dedicated, and smart, and we are proud of the work she did at SMS and is now in her college today. We recommend Saint Mary's to everyone in our church and at work if they have daughters around 7th or 8th grade and tell them to go look and then send them for high school. They will never regret the investment. We are so glad we invested in our daughter's future. Thank you, Saint Mary's School!
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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked NC School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 312 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $31,600
  • Acceptance rate: 85%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 30 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Raleigh, NC is $11,118 for elementary schools and $14,256 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Raleigh, NC is 84% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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