Episcopal Identity
Enhancement Hero
Girls are
Kind
We live our Episcopal identity every day
For nearly 180 years, St. Mary’s Episcopal identity has guided how we educate girls. We are led by God’s love to support spiritual growth while fostering knowledge and respect for each other's beliefs. Our inclusive community warmly welcomes families of all faiths and backgrounds.
Daily Chapel Services
Girls in Middle and Upper Schools attend Chapel daily. Amid busy schedules, Chapel offers students, faculty, and guests a meaningful pause to come together to sing, pray, and reflect. The daily community-wide gathering is often a favorite moment of the day.
Character Education
Girls in Early Childhood and Lower School attend Chapel once a week. This community gathering includes songs, prayer, and guest speakers, all within an age-appropriate learning environment. Chapel talks reinforce our character education program, the Bridge to Caring.
Community Connections
Our program of studies emphasizes the mastery of fundamental concepts through innovative cross-curricular programs and regimented learning, all of which are designed to prepare students for college preparatory curriculum.
Service Learning Curriculum
Our faith calls us to service. In Lower School religion classes, students learn to embody their faith in many ways, including helping those in need. They organize service projects to benefit local nonprofits. Girls learn to understand community needs and how they can be part of the solution.
Diverse Voices
Chapel Services include reflections and lessons from religious and civic leaders, alumnae, and faculty. The student-led chapel committee helps guide the daily service and selects guest speakers. Each senior prepares and delivers a speech on a topic of her choosing.
Student Chapel Leaders
Fourth-grade students lead the weekly Lower School Chapel Service. A special privilege and responsibility, the practice teaches girls key skills. Girls gain confidence in public speaking, practice and prepare in advance, and learn the difference between leading and performing.
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School Prayer
Almighty God, Fountain of wisdom, be with us, we pray thee, in our work today. Endue all the teachers with a sense of their responsibility, and with grace and strength for its fulfillment. Keep the students in health of mind and soul and body; make them diligent in study, guard their inexperience, and save them through all temptations. Bless the patrons and alumnae of this school, and enable us all, more and more each day, to advance in that knowledge which is eternal life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
The Right Reverend Thomas F. Gailor (1856-1935)
Principle Qualities of Episcopal Schools
St. Mary’s Episcopal identity is modeled on the Principles and Practices of Episcopal Schools created by the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES). These qualities include:
- School worship
- Community Life
- Religious Formation and Study
- Social Justice
Chapel is an intentional time in our day to gather as a community. Being present in this mini-Sabbath time gives us each space for reflection, silence, and prayer. While we are anchored in our Episcopal traditions, Chapel is a space for all members of our community, as we include our heart and soul in the typical school-day experience of mind and body education.
Rainey Segars, Head Chaplain