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Hi! My name is Ella, and I'm a Sophomore at St. Mary's Academy. From the moment I walked into SMA for my first shadow visit when I was in 8th Grade, I knew that St. Mary's had something that other schools did not. At first I couldn't place it. It wasn't just the friendly calm of the building and the focused chatter of the students during passing periods and in classes, or the small classes that felt so natural and comfortable that I was not just willing but excited to raise my hand with the right answer. But through the almost two years now that I've been at SMA, I've slowly been able to piece together what exactly makes St. Mary's so special: It's the fact that every student wants to be there. Every student is excited to learn, to work hard, and to interact with teachers and friends. SMA is an amazing school with incredible classes and countless opportunities, but it is the atmosphere of enthusiasm and warmth that keeps students excited to walk through the front doors every day.

Hi, my name is Amelia and I`m a Sophomore at St. Mary`s Academy. When I started out my Freshman year not knowing anyone at the school, I was nervous, but I was immediately welcomed into a supportive environment. That`s still my favorite part of St. Mary`s after nearly two years in attendance--the sense of community. It`s created by the all-girls environment, supportive faculty, and the shared drive to succeed. Everyone wants to do their best, but they wish the same success for each other. Students are free to explore their passions in all types of extracurriculars (sports, leadership, the arts) and challenge themselves in a wide variety of classes.

Hi! My name is Haley, and I am a current Sophomore at St. Mary's Academy. Choosing to attend St. Mary's has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have found an amazing community of the most generous friends and the most supportive teachers. Everyone is always looking out for each other and cares about others so deeply. All the teachers I have had are very passionate about their subject and want you to succeed. St. Mary's has put their students' wellbeing first during COVID and have ensured that we not only are receiving a high-quality online education but that there is a balance between school and home. I participated in safe and fun in-person activities this year, and although it made me miss in-person school-I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that I have gotten to learn and grow at a place like St. Mary's.

I`m a senior at St. Mary's and I`m very grateful for the high school experience I have had. One thing I love about St. Mary's is the learning environment. Everyone feels comfortable being themselves, and it has a very friendly and inclusive atmosphere where sharing your voice is encouraged. St. Mary's has rigorous academics, but they really care about nurturing the whole person. They provide so many learning experiences beyond the classroom, such as volunteering, school retreats, and many leadership opportunities. St. Mary's is such a strong community and I know I will carry it with me beyond high school.

Overall, I've had a great experience at St. Mary's. I love SMA because I always feel supported academically and socially. Teachers are always willing to give me extra help, when I need it, and our counselors are amazing when I need extra support. I`m so grateful for all the opportunities SMA has provided me, such as leadership and extracurricular activities. I`m so glad I chose SMA!

When I first came to St. Mary`s Academy I was nervous about the environment and making friends. I soon realized that one of my favorite things about SMA is the welcoming community and vast options that make it so easy to get to know people. The amount of exceptional activities and extracurriculars that foster a space to love learning and bond with peers is amazing. Not only are the students there for me, but the faculty too. They encourage all the students to grow in a way that works best for them. I love everyone's aims to lift each other up.

Hi! My name is Ellie, and I`m a sophomore at St. Mary's. I definitely think that choosing to go to St. Mary's was one of the best decisions that I have made in my life so far. SMA has given me so many opportunities to explore downtown Portland, and to grow as a learner while be academically challenged. And at the same time, the teachers do a great job at helping me be interested in all of my classes. Even when I did`t know anyone going into my freshman year at SMA, I was able to meet people and make amazing friends through some many clubs, awesome sports teams, and opportunities that SMA provides. All of this was before COVID, but even now I am glad that SMA has taken the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe while still having very engaging classes and online events.

One of the things I love about St. Mary's is the supportive and non-judgemental environment. I feel a lot more confident being myself at school now because of how accepting people are. It`s a place where I feel encouraged to express myself and my opinions without fear of judgement from my peers. Many of the other girls who decide to attend St. Mary's also want to be a part of a community where they feel included and validated, which is why we are able to cultivate this type of inclusive environment. The amazing community of students and faculty at SMA is what truly makes it a special place!

I am a junior here at St. Mary`s and I am so glad that I chose to go to SMA. One of my favorite parts of the school is the community and the wonderful supportive teachers. Digital Learning has been hard for everyone but throughout the challenge, the community has stayed strong and really supportive, especially the wonderful teachers. The teachers are eager to still teach making learning during the COVID-19 pandemic enjoyable. Activities are still staying active and finding new ways to be completed and connect with others. St. Mary`s has been a great place to learn and grow and I feel like I have done that a lot since I have started attending SMA. I would recommend this school for anyone who is wanting to find out more about themselves and really grow as an individual.

My name is Lily, and I am a current junior at St Mary's. I honestly wasn`t planning to go to a private school for high school, let alone an all girls' school, but I am really glad that I chose to! From the first shadow visit, I felt at home. Not in a cheesy way, I promise. The environment is welcoming and free of harsh judgement, and I think that comes from the all-girl's experience. Classroom discussions have a mature quality that I feel was lacking in my co-ed schools. Having such a wide range of clubs and extracurriculars ensures that you will feel like you belong. Having a challenging academic environment is really very rewarding. There is always someone that can help you if you`re struggling, as well. The academic support center has been a big help for me, as well as friends and teachers. The teachers here at SMA have your best interest at heart and will always find time to help you. My biggest piece of advice is to use the activity blocks and studies provided to get work done. I've learned the work load is what you make of it.

I'm a junior at St. Mary's and I love SMA. My favorite things about St. Mary's are the amazing teachers, community, and opportunities students have. Especially during digital learning, teachers have been very flexible and worked with us to fit our needs. I always feel very supported at St. Mary's through my teachers, friends, and peers. Finally, there is such an amazing variety of things to try. We have so many fun sports, clubs, and leadership opportunities. I love this community and I hope you'll consider shadowing if you're thinking about St. Mary's!

I'm Payton, a current Junior at St. Mary's Academy in downtown Portland. I have always loved the strong and supportive community SMA has to offer and I feel it now more than ever. All the teachers have created a safe and nurturing environment for all the students online, which has created a great feeling of security. Everyone is eager to learn, despite being online, which has made the covid-19 experience a lot better. SMA has also done a great job at making sure there is a place for everyone despite not being at school. There has been so many different clubs and activities such as the sports leadership conference and improve club which I am a part of. These are just two of the ways SMA is helping all of the students during a stressful time, and I am so thankful to be a part of the community.