Saint Mary's School
Quick Stats (2023)
- Grades: (Boarding) 9-12
- Enrollment: 314 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $62,850
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $31,600
- Acceptance rate: 85%
- Average class size: 15 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 30 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Upcoming Events and News
- Saint Mary's School in Raleigh receives $7 million gift, largest in school's history - 11/03/2021The private school for girls has received a multimillion-dollar gift, the largest in the school's history.
Top Rankings
Saint Mary's School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 298 schools) for:
School Overview
Student Body
Academics and Faculty
Tuition Cost
(Boarding Students)
(Seasonal Boarding offered: $8,250)
(Day Students)
(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.)
(Avg. Need-based Aid to Boarder)
Acceptance Rate
AP / Advanced Courses
Sports
Extracurriculars
Admission Ambassadors, Animal Rights Club, Babysitting Club, Beacon - Senior Honorary Leadership Club, Black Student Union, Bookmark Club, Cooking Club/Sweet Treets, Debate Club, Development Ambassadors, Echo - Senior Washtub Singing Group, Equity Club, Fashion Club, Film Club, Fine Arts in Business, FOCUS, Folding For Fun, French Culture Club, Granddaughter's Club, HOLA/LatinX Club, Hopeful Thinking, Human Rights Alliance, Hype Squad, International Thespian Society, K-Pop, Knitting Club, Ladies in Blue, Latin Club, LGBTQ, Mathemagicians Club, Model United Nations, Mu Captains, Music Composition Club, Music Share, National Honor Society, One Love Club, Photography Club, Psychology Club, Quill and Scroll International Honor Society for High School Journalists, Robotics Club, Saints Who Code, Science Olympiad, Shop1842, Sigma Captains, Ski Club, SMS Trapshooting Team, Spanish Club, Student Government Association, The Belles (Student Paper Club), The Chords, The Muse, Undivided Attention Club, Visual and Performing Arts Prefects, Young Democrats, Young Republicans
College Matriculation
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.
- Saint Mary's School accreditations: SMS is a member of the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, the National Association of Independent Schools, the National Association of Episcopal Schools, the Southern Association of Independent Schools, the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools, and The Association of Boarding Schools. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools.
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Saint Mary's School cost?
Saint Mary's School's tuition is approximately $62,850 for boarding students and $31,600 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Saint Mary's School?
The acceptance rate of Saint Mary's School is 85%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 58%.
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 14 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, 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.
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 ).
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