See What's Happening at St. Mary's

Hana Barber ’25 discovered the powerful connection between music and memory during a visit to a memory care facility, where her friend Tara played Antonín Dvořák’s “Humoresques” as part of their Musical Memories Project. This organization, founded by Hana and Tara Lim, brings music to memory care residents through regular recitals. 

Each fall, St. Mary’s eagerly anticipates the arrival of our Guatemalan exchange students, who bring their unique experiences and perspectives to our community. This year, we are thrilled to have Giuliana “Giuli” and Anna Paula for a seven-week stay. They arrived in early October and have fully immersed themselves in Memphis life while also sharing their own culture through various school projects.

At St. Mary’s, learning comes alive as students journey through history—from the pyramids of Egypt to the streets of Ancient Rome. Along the way, students build essential reading and writing skills

We certainly have a few ideas! Mayor Paul Young came to Chapel at St. Mary’s for a Q + A session with our Middle and Upper School students.

Mayor Young was introduced by his older sister and St. Mary's Trustee, Dorcas Griffin Young P’18, who helped facilitate the Q + A from our student body.

Middle School is a time of transformation. Our dedicated faculty know both the ins and outs of their subject matter, as well as the ups and downs of a girl’s life during these critical years. Students are challenged to develop the reading, writing, and thinking skills they need for Upper School, college, and life.

On Election Day, nine St. Mary’s students are stepping up to serve as poll workers, bringing a fresh perspective as many prepare to cast their first votes.

What do you get when you combine moss, sticks, polka dots, clay, a little bit of glitter, and a lot of love? A magical amphibian habitat that is toad-ally awesome! Senior kindergarten students used their imagination with this ordinary mix of items to create something truly extraordinary: Toad Abodes.

When Mrs. Segars first walked into St. Mary’s as a fifth-grader, she could barely read or write in English. Having just returned to the U.S. from living abroad, where she’d studied entirely in Dutch, she faced a real challenge. 

St. Mary’s is more than just a school—it’s where students can discover their faith tradition. Anna Wheeler ’08, St. Mary’s North Campus Chaplain, reflects on her St. Mary’s journey from being a St. Mary’s student to becoming a central part of its spiritual community. Ms. Wheeler opened up about her experiences, role, and what makes life at an Episcopal school – especially at St. Mary’s – so special. 
 

The Honors Independent Research Study (HIRS) at St. Mary's, led by Anna Bess Sorin, Ph.D., equips students with essential research skills before college. Through literature reviews, formulating strong research questions, and networking with Memphis community mentors, students develop and execute meaningful research projects. 

Competitive swimmer and powerlifter Mary Quay Wilson ’26 is diving into this season with passion and purpose. With ten St. Mary’s swim seasons under her belt, she is well-acquainted with the challenges of athletic competition. However, it is her tenacity, strength, grace, and work ethic that truly make the biggest waves.

Nisha Ganguli ’28 has taken her passion beyond the classroom, earning a spot as a finalist in the prestigious John Locke Institute Global Essay Competition. In September, she traveled to London to attend the competition’s award ceremony, where she was recognized among the top young thinkers from around the world.

Our birdies are state champs! The St. Mary's golf team celebrated a historic victory at the 2024 Tennessee Division II-AA State Championship at The Sevierville Golf Club. With a 9-stroke lead, the team clinched the title, defeating the Baylor School from Chattanooga and showcasing our girls' prowess and talent.
 

Ayushi Gaur ’22 is following in the footsteps of her role model, Jane Goodall, as a quiet yet impactful leader. Inspired by a passion for environmental advocacy that began in middle school at St. Mary’s, Ayushi continues to take action through her passion projects and career pursuits. This summer, she took a major step forward as the 2024 Storytelling Programs Intern for the National Geographic Society. 

We are thrilled to announce that St. Mary’s has been recognized as the Best All-Girls School in Tennessee by Niche! This achievement reflects our commitment to providing girls with an exceptional educational experience.

St. Mary’s recently held two parent book clubs centered on Jonathan Haidt’s bestselling book, “The Anxious Generation.” Nearly 100 families participated in these discussions, led by Associate Head of School Hilary Davis Robinson ’90 and the Counseling team. The sessions focused on understanding the rise of anxiety among children, particularly in the context of social media, academic pressures, and evolving parenting styles.

Assistant Director of Security James Fyke started his career as a patrol officer for the Collierville Police Department before working for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI). He spent eight years with the TBI before joining the University of Memphis Police Services as a detective. Due to his investigative background, James constantly encourages healthy curiosity among students on the South Campus.

St. Mary’s Episcopal School celebrated a 178-year legacy at the 2024 Founders' Day Chapel on Tuesday, September 17.