All-Girls Education

Girls are remarkable

At St. Mary’s, an Independent School for Girls in Memphis, our girls work and play in a world created just for them. 

5 reasons to choose a Girls’ School

To learn differently.  Every teacher, every lesson, and every resource is dedicated to how girls learn best. We know that girls develop verbal skills earlier than boys do, resulting in a propensity for reading and language. We also champion the educational needs of girls in STEM majors and careers. Research shows that girls’ school grads are 6 times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology compared to girls who attend coed schools. —Goodman Research Group

To develop confidence.  Each girl becomes accustomed to speaking up and, more importantly, to being heard. In an all-girls setting, students feel comfortable articulating their thoughts and beliefs, and faculty and administrators make it clear that what students say is heard, considered, and valued. 

To rise to the challenge. Girls respond to failure differently than boys do. St. Mary’s provides a supportive, nurturing environment where girls can take healthy risks and explore the boundaries of what is possible. 

To belong. Each girl is encouraged to recognize her own talents and strengths so that she may pursue her interests, discover new opportunities, and reach her individual potential. Whatever her interests, she can be herself here and take advantage of all St. Mary’s has to offer. 

To lead.  Our girls are in charge in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, and in the community.  They develop tenacity and resilience that enable them to take leadership positions in colleges and universities and beyond.

“St. Mary’s taught me to push myself. I learned exactly what I was capable of and that I am a smart, capable woman. My St. Mary’s experience was integral to me developing the confidence to say that and to live that.”

Jasmine Bolton ’07
Senior Counsel
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
Little girls painting at all-girls school in Memphis, TN.

Early Childhood

In the Marlene R. Shaw Early Childhood Center, each day is a new adventure full of wonder and discovery. Our youngest
St. Mary's girls start their journeys in an environment that is steeped in language and filled with a spirit of independence and inquiry.



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Little girls working at private independent school in Memphis

Lower School

In Lower School, specialist teachers collaborate with our talented, loving classroom teachers to create a dynamic environment designed to engage and ignite young girls' minds. The hands-on curriculum teaches students invaluable lessons about problem-solving, tenacity, creativity, and cooperation.


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Middle School girl taking notes in Memphis, TN

Middle School

Middle School is a time of transformation. A dedicated faculty - who 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 - challenges students to develop the reading, writing, and thinking skills they need for Upper School, college, and life.

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Two girls studying at school for girls in Memphis, TN

Upper School

In Upper School, students are immersed in a rigorous college preparatory curriculum that extends beyond the classroom to provide real-life experiences. From the performance stage to community outreach, from the athletic field to Chapel, St. Mary's girls learn to collaborate, inspire others, and achieve their goals.

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