Meet Our Team
Enhancement Hero
Girls are
Bright
We’d love to show you St. Mary’s!
Our Admission Team is eager to welcome you to campus and show you why we believe St. Mary’s is the best place for girls to learn and grow. From guiding you through the application process to helping you navigate enrollment, we’re here to support you every step of the way. As proud SMS parents and alumnae, we’re excited to share our love for this community with you.
When I first came to St. Mary’s, I was drawn by its strong academic reputation and the foundation designed to equip girls with the tools for a bright and successful future. However, over the 18 years I’ve spent here—as both an administrator and a parent—I’ve come to cherish something even more: our community values. St. Mary’s is more than just a school; it’s a place where each student is encouraged to grow into the best version of herself, where individuality is celebrated, and where kindness and respect are at the heart of everything we do.
Nicole Hernandez
Christy Barzizza
Assistant Director of Admission (Middle and Upper School)
cbarzizza@stmarysschool.org
My favorite spot at St. Mary's is the Weir Study in the expansive Smith library. This inviting space has a cozy fireplace where girls study, read, discuss, and reflect. Some of my favorite activities in the Weir Study are the Middle School Book Clubs and Fireside Chats. Each grade level in Middle School has a group that meets regularly to discuss a book they've read for pleasure, fostering a lifelong love of reading. Fireside Chats typically occur after Chapel and offer the Upper School girls an opportunity to discuss topics relevant to current events or with a Chapel speaker. These conversations are often vulnerable and always respectful as girls navigate the value of various perspectives.
Christy Barzizza
Grace Knight '05
Assistant Director of Admission (Early Childhood) & Special Events Coordinator
gknight@stmarysschool.org
No place compares to St. Mary's in the way girls are academically, emotionally, and spiritually prepared. Girls leave St. Mary's ready to face whatever the world throws their way. They are challenged but not without support. People in the community often say you can tell a St. Mary's girl by how she carries herself and her confidence. St. Mary's girls are special!
Grace Knight '05
Whenever I’m asked, ‘How long have you been at St. Mary’s?’ I find it challenging to provide a straightforward answer. I first joined St. Mary’s in 1977 as a seventh grader and graduated in 1982. Later, in 2005, I returned as part of the Admission team. It’s been fascinating to observe how St. Mary's weaves its tapestry—maintaining its commitment to education and traditions while seamlessly integrating technology and skills to prepare students for a future we can only begin to imagine. Each day here feels like a new chapter in an exciting story, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
Sherronda Johnson '82