See What's Happening at St. Mary's

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. 

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.

Josie Block ’24 grew up around lacrosse, both playing and watching her dad coach. Jeffrey Block just finished his 21st year coaching the 7th and 8th grade teams at Memphis University School.

Early exposure to team sports cultivates athletic skills and instills the lifelong values of teamwork, perseverance, and discipline.

Director of Security Mark Hooper thinks with his head and leads with his heart when it comes to protecting our campus. With 30+ years of experience in law enforcement and six daughters of his own, Mark makes it his mission to protect St. Mary’s students, faculty, and staff.

On 901 Day, we celebrate our alumnae who have chosen to make Memphis their home and invest their lives in this incredible city. Their love for the 901 shines through in everything they do, helping to shape a brighter future for all of us. We checked in with just a few of the many Turkeys proud to call the 901 home. 

Welcome to the new school year! As the Director of Belonging at St. Mary’s, my role is to foster a more inclusive environment and school culture for everyone. Creating a sense of belonging is a collective effort, not just the responsibility of one individual. 

When summer comes around, St. Mary’s girls don’t stop learning! Eleven Upper School students are pursuing their passions from arts to science at the prestigious Tennessee Governor’s Schools. ​​

In today's digital age, managing the influence of social media and constant connectivity is a significant challenge for teens and their families. St. Mary’s Middle School is taking proactive steps including phone lockers and providing resources and curriculum at school and home. 

This summer, St. Mary’s Turkeys flocked to the sciences, pursuing interests in medical, research, and technology fields. Through programs from all over the country, the Turkeys are taking over STEM.

Most days, you can find Assistant Director of Security Don Thompson perched at the North Campus gates greeting parents, students, and campus guests. While Don is known for his friendly demeanor and sharp security skills, his “fun hats” take the cake. From “French Friday” to “Taco Tuesday,” Don’s hats make security accessible to our younger students while fostering an unparalleled sense of community. 

We are so excited to introduce our new faculty members! 

In 2023, St. Mary’s launched a two-year re-accreditation process which led administrators, board members, faculty and staff, alumnae, and students to apply this same curiosity to our 177-year-old institution. The process began with reexamining the school’s mission statement, formalizing the community’s values, and updating the strategic goals. In October of 2025, a Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) accreditation team will visit campus.

Afifa Shah ’25 is not just learning Global Studies – she’s living it. Afifa and her family hosted an exchange student, Ximena, from Guatemala this past school year. This summer, Afifa immersed herself in Ximena’s world.

It’s been 30 years since Amy Spencer ’94 graduated from St. Mary’s, but she clearly remembers the words of late teacher Madame Nannette Quinn. 

Congratulations to Ella Curlin ’24 for receiving Indiana University’s competitive Wells Scholarship. Ella is one of 18 incoming freshmen selected to receive the merit scholarship that will cover her full tuition and include extra benefits. She will be majoring in American studies and journalism and studying in the Hutton Honors College.