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 (2025)
- Grades: 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
Top Rankings
Saint Mary's School ranks among the top 10 schools with 200-400 students (out of 98 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
9-12
Year Founded
1842
1907
Campus Size
23 acres
125 acres
Colors
White, Light blue
Student Body
Enrollment
314 students
319 students
% Students of Color
11%
27%
% International Students
8%
21%
% Students Boarding
46%
67%
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1020 - 1310
-
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
21
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
80%
72%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$34.2 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$62,850
(Seasonal Boarding offered: $8,250)
(Seasonal Boarding offered: $8,250)
$66,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$31,600
(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.)
(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.)
$35,500
% Students on Financial Aid
34%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$34,715
(Avg. Need-based Aid to Boarder)
(Avg. Need-based Aid to Boarder)
$25,000
Admissions
Application Deadline
Jan. 30 / rolling
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Acceptance Rate
85%
64%
Director of Admissions
Katie Bradbury Wellman
Associate Director of Admissions
Mary E. Mills
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
21
18
Courses
2-D Art and Design, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Comparative Government and Politics, Computer Science, Drawing, English: Language, English: Literature, Environmental Science, French Language and Culture, Multivariable Calculus, Physics , Psychology , Spanish Language and Culture, Spanish Literature, Statistics, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
14
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
54
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
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
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
College Acceptance Rate
100%
Year: 2018 - 2020
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
School Notes
- School Motto: Empowering Young Women
- 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
Source: Verified school update
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 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 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 ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
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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The nearest boarding school to Saint Mary's School is Oak Ridge Military Academy (79.3 miles away)
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