Spring 2026 Magazine

Being college-bound at a school like St. Mary’s is an implicit goal. The outcomes remain impressive, but the process is not your grandmother’s or even your mother’s experience.

Today’s college admissions process looks very different than it did just a generation ago. With increased competition, longer timelines, and more variables to consider, St. Mary’s students are rising to the challenge. Alumnae report finding the right fit and achieving strong outcomes in a rapidly evolving landscape.

For St. Mary’s seniors, the college admissions process isn’t just about applications, deadlines, and decisions; it’s about navigating one of the most emotionally complex transitions of their young lives. That’s why Amy Poag, Director of Counseling at St. Mary’s Episcopal School, partners with her colleagues to help students thrive.

See how close mentorship, meaningful classroom work, and bold, hands-on experiences help each girl uncover what she loves, build the confidence to pursue it, and turn opportunity into impact.

St. Mary’s welcomed Olivia Bernabe ’15, now a Brooklyn-based theatre artist and professional puppeteer, as this year’s Louise T. Archer ’40 Artist in Residence.

This fall, St. Mary’s announced that Head of School Albert Throckmorton will retire at the conclusion of the 2026-2027 school year. The news marks the end of an era for a leader whose steady vision and boundless energy have shaped the school for two decades, including 13 years as Head of School.

St. Mary’s Episcopal School has once again been named the Best All-Girls School in Tennessee by Niche, marking the third consecutive year the school has earned the top distinction.

Extraordinary things happen when a pop culture moment intersects with the curiosity of inquiry-based learning. This fall, St. Mary’s Makerspace became the design studio for music icon Taylor Swift’s wedding dress. People Magazine and USA Today took notice, but at St. Mary’s, out-of-the-box projects like this happen every day.

More donors are choosing to support St. Mary’s through recurring monthly gifts. This steady support strengthens the school’s financial stability and deepens the shared commitment to our mission.

From blueprints to beloved homes, Catherine Tracy Sloan ’96 makes creativity the foundation of every project. As a professional architect, her designs combine classical elegance with authenticity, leading to a feature in the May/June 2025 issue of Veranda Magazine.

St. Mary’s girls can do some serious math, but it was simple addition that led Josie McNeely Walker ’76 to a milestone discovery. Last year, she was talking with husband Ron about St. Mary’s, a place where she spent the majority of her life — 10 years as a student and 37 years as a Spanish teacher. Now retired, Josie is the longest-tenured alumna faculty member in the school’s history, and her family’s collective legacy hits the 100-year mark this year.

Our Light and Life Service Award recipient, Laurin Maddux ’98, embodies the school's motto "For Girls. For Life" through her generosity and dedication to the St. Mary's community. 

Our 2025 Young Alumna Award recipient, Dr. Anna Peeler ’13, works in palliative care, helping patients receive the care they need.