Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Saint Mary's School

5.00 (1 review)
900 Hillsborough Street Raleigh NC 27603
Tel: (919) 424-4100
www.sms.edu
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 309 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $66,500
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $34,275
  • Acceptance rate: 98%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 4 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
Saint Mary's School Photo #4 - BE BOLD! At Saint Mary's we offer 11 sports through our athletic program, including tennis, field hockey, volleyball, soccer, basketball, cross country, softball, lacrosse, golf, swimming, track and field. Take a risk and try out for a team! Build your confidence and amplify your voice. #GoSaints1842
Saint Mary's School Photo #5 - BE CHALLENGED! Saint Mary's School is dedicated to the academic excellence and personal achievement of girls through a mission to prepare girls for college and life. The school's academic program focuses on giving girls what they need to grow as lifelong learners, building on the habits of a lifelong learner: critical thinking, communication and character.
Saint Mary's School Photo #6 - BE PREPARED! At Saint Mary's, girls are accepted and empowered in their learning; to grow spiritually and socially. They are recognized for their unique talents, passions, and interests and those yet to be discovered. They also grow in confidence, amplify their voices, and discover who they want to become because we know girls! We know what they need to succeed.
Saint Mary's School Photo #7 - BE INSPIRED! Participate in the visual and performing arts; take an art class in one of Saint Mary's art studios on campus or try your hand at costume designing. Saint Mary's offers an extensive arts program comprised of music, dance, dramatic arts, and visual arts.
Saint Mary's School Photo #8 - BE PREPARED! In keeping with the school's Episcopal heritage, Saint Mary's students regularly participate in community service opportunities - from Habitat for Humanity projects pictured here, to the United Way annual MLK Day of Service, to volunteering their time at local schools and nearby service agencies. By preparing girls for college and life, we're investing in the whole girl.
Saint Mary's School Photo #9 - BE PREPARED! The newly renovated Sarah Graham Kenan Library is an inviting space and is the center of intellectual life for students working directly with faculty. It serves as a "creative commons" where students work collaboratively with classmates, work one-on-one with teachers and tutors, or work individually to research assignments or just enjoy a good book or magazine.
Saint Mary's School Photo #10 - BE EXTRAORDINARY! At Saint Mary's, we prepare girls for college and life. We have 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. We also prepare our girls with competencies for careers not yet even thought of!
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About the School

  • 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 Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 309 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $66,500
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $34,275
  • Acceptance rate: 98%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 4 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Saint Mary's School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 269 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
Most extracurriculars offered
Offering Breadth
High # of AP/advanced courses offered

School Overview

2026 School Data
Saint Mary's School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
8-12
School Type
All-girls
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Yes
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Yes
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Episcopal
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1842
1906
Campus Size
23 acres
125 acres
School Motto
Empowering Young Women

Student Body

Enrollment
309 students
320 students
% Students of Color
17%
27%
% International Students
11%
21%
% Students Boarding
48%
65%
Average SAT Score
1241
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1020 - 1310
-
Average ACT score
25
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Average Class Size
14 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
67%
73%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Accreditations
National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS)
Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)
# of AP Courses Offered
25
18
Courses
2-D Art and DesignAfrican American Studies
Art HistoryBiology
Calculus ABCalculus BC
Capstone - ResearchCapstone - Seminar
ChemistryComparative Government and Politics
Computer ScienceDrawing
English: LanguageEnglish: Literature
Environmental ScienceFrench Language and Culture
Music TheoryPhysics
Psychology Spanish Language and Culture
Spanish LiteratureStatistics
United States Government and PoliticsUnited States History
World History - Modern

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$46.8 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$66,500
$71,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$34,275
(The tuition cost at Saint Mary's School is an annual, comprehensive tuition. Annual tuition includes a personal computer, textbooks, meals in school dining hall for all students, Binder Health Center, fitness room, free admission to school’s performing arts and athletic events including world-class Smedes Parlor Concert series. It does NOT include: optional off-campus activities, various weekend activities, athletic equipment, special services such as private instruction in music, outside tutoring, or transportation for personal off-campus appointments.)
$40,000
% Students on Financial Aid
24%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$27,257
(Avg. Need-based Aid to Boarder)
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
Yes
Weekly

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Admissions

Application Deadline
Dec. 4 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Acceptance Rate
98%
64%
Director of Admissions
Katie Bradbury Wellman
Associate Director of Admissions
Mary E. Mills
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
13
17
Sports
BasketballCheering
Cross CountryCross Country Running
DanceField Hockey
GolfLacrosse
SoccerSwimming
TennisTrack and Field
Volleyball
Colors
White, Light blue

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
40
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Animal WellnessAsian Student Union
Beacon - Senior Honorary Leadership ClubBlack Student Union
Bookmark ClubCurrent Events
Dance GroupDebate Club
Echo - Senior Washtub Singing GroupFilm Club
FOCUSGrammar Club
Granddaughter's ClubHOSA (Future Health Professionals)
Improv ClubLadies in Blue
Learn and Teach EnglishLetters for the Better
LGBTQMath Group
Math ModelingModel United Nations
Note in the PocketPsychology Club
Red Cross ClubRock the Street Wall Street
Saints for the CureScience Olympiad
Self Defense and WellnessService League Club
SMS Historical SocietySMS Trapshooting Team
Student Government AssociationSupersonic Dance Club
Sustainable SaintsThe Belles (Student Paper Club)
Women in STEMYoung Democrats
Young RepublicansYouth and Government

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate
100%
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
UNC-Chapel Hill
28
North Carolina State University
18
Wofford College
9
East Carolina University
8
Elon University
8
Clemson University
7
Appalachian State University
6
University of Mississippi
6
Wake Forest University
6
Meredith College
5
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

  • 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 within easy driving distance of world-renowned Research Triangle Park and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Saint Mary's School is the fourth oldest girls' boarding school in the United States. Since our inception, Saint Mary's has been dedicated to the academic excellence and personal achievement of our students. We look at life academically, socially, and spiritually. Our integrated, hands-on academic program is demanding. Our leadership and life skills curriculum creates responsible citizens and community ambassadors. Outside the classroom, we offer dozens of sports, clubs, activities, and volunteer opportunities. In addition, our Episcopal tradition inspires students to grow as young women of integrity and honor. Saint Mary's offers a comprehensive range of programming and opportunities to prepare our students to compete in college and in today's complex and fast-changing global world. Saint Mary's School offers 18 Advanced Placement courses and a full complement of honors courses, competition in 11 sports and on 16 teams, a comprehensive fine arts program, leadership education, advising, and co-curricular programs, a wireless campus and one-to-one convertible laptop program. Saint Mary's students are challenged to find their courage, explore their passions, and open their hearts and minds to new ideas as they prepare for independence and success in college and life. More than thirty of the school's nationally recruited faculty and staff live on campus, and 83 percent of the faculty holds advanced degrees in their field. The student/faculty ratio is 8:1 and the average class size is 12.5 students. The school's 264 students represent 10 states and seven foreign countries.
  • As part of the school's comprehensive and innovative curriculum, the seminar program is designed to help girls develop key competencies through relevant, experiential learning experiences with experts, resources, and organizations in the greater Raleigh area.
  • The Saint Mary`s School educational travel program is designed to provide students with experiential opportunities that build empathy and compassion for others. The program is designed to provide students with a range of experiences from which students may choose, including service trips, academic exchanges, cultural excursions, and history trips.
  • 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
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Saint Mary's School cost?
Saint Mary's School's tuition is approximately $66,500 for boarding students and $34,275 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Saint Mary's School?
The acceptance rate of Saint Mary's School is 98%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 64%.
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 13 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is Saint Mary's School's ranking?
Saint Mary's School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Most extracurriculars offered and High # of AP/advanced courses offered.
When is the application deadline for Saint Mary's School?
The application deadline for Saint Mary's School is Dec. 4 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 4 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Student & Alumni Reviews

Review
Description

Class of 2017
5.00
U of SC
I loved that my school was close to home, but more importantly felt like a home. They were small classes that allowed me to create a special relationship with my teachers and ensure that I. . .
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 309 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $66,500
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $34,275
  • Acceptance rate: 98%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 4 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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