History & Traditions

The Christmas Pageant is St. Mary’s oldest and most cherished tradition. Over its 130-year history, the Pageant has grown and evolved while preserving its timeless beauty and heartfelt sentiment. Today, the Christmas Pageant features seniors who have attended St. Mary’s for 12 years or more, posed in living tableaux depicting the birth of Christ accompanied by the angelic voices of 2nd and 3rd grade choristers providing the soundtrack for the program.

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The Springfest ceremony, held every April, brings the Middle and Upper Schools together for a celebration of arts and music. Each year, a junior is elected Queen by her Upper School peers, and a 6th grader is elected Princess by her classmates. These girls are chosen for how they exemplify the ideal qualities of a St. Mary’s student: kindness, compassion, positivity, involvement, hard work, and leadership. During the event, each senior presents an iris to a member of the junior class, symbolizing the transition of leadership.

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The Upper School tradition kicks off the school year with an afternoon of bonding and fun. In this friendly competition, students from each grade compete in a series of games. The event often gets a little messy but always creates lasting memories and strengthens the sisterhood among our Upper School students.

Each year, St. Mary’s seniors are paired with a Senior Kindergarten student in one of the school's most cherished traditions. The young students serve as flower girls, escorting the seniors during the graduation ceremony. The pairs are introduced early in the spring and spend time together throughout the semester, forming a special bond.

Early Childhood students take part in the longstanding tradition of Bulb Planting Day! Each fall, our youngest learners plant tulips and daffodils. Come springtime, they delight in seeing their flowers bloom. The students plant a mix of annual and perennial flowers, creating a beautiful and lasting impact.

One of St. Mary’s most cherished May traditions in Lower School is Class Day, an hour-long recital where each grade performs dance and musical numbers. Class Day serves as the culmination of a year of fine arts instruction, offering the girls a chance to showcase their artistic growth. 

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St. Mary’s Lower, Middle, and Upper School divisions participate in the spirited tradition of the Blue and White competition. Together with their teachers, students engage in friendly contests, earning points through fun events and extracurricular activities. At the end of the year, a winning team is crowned. Blue and White fosters school spirit and camaraderie, encouraging students to support their fellow Turkeys by showing up, cheering them on, and celebrating their shared love for St. Mary’s.