Welcome to St. Mary's Academy!
St. Mary's Academy is Oregon's
oldest continuously-operating secondary school. A nationally
recognized school of excellence, St. Mary's is an established Catholic
all-girls college preparatory high school that readies students for
the future. We invite you to review our Profile of Distinction.
With over a 150-year tradition
of educating young women, St. Mary's continues to serve a diverse
school community and offer a challenging academic program which
fosters the development of the whole person. St. Mary's is large enough
to provide a wide variety of experiences, yet small enough to focus on
the individual needs of each and every student.
In a nurturing and supportive
environment, the faculty and staff challenge students to exceed their
potential and provide them with skills, strength and resources to meet
those challenges.
St. Mary's twelve pioneer Holy
Names Sisters' vision for the future, determination and spirit of
sacrifice have made it possible for St. Mary's to shape the lives of more
than 10,000 young women since 1859.
St. Mary's provides a solid
spiritual foundation through its four-year religion curriculum, campus
ministry program, retreats and service opportunities. The curriculum
provides students with an understanding of human development, Catholic
Christian theology, world religions, ethics and social justice.
The Campus Ministry Department
sponsors activities that nurture spiritual growth and development.
Students are encouraged to actively participate in all-school masses
and weekly liturgies. Staffed by St. Mary's faculty and alumnae, the
Junior Encounter and Senior Metanoia focus on improving relationships
between self, others and God. These spiritual retreats provide a time
for reflection and valuable insight for making life decisions.
The St. Mary's family of
students, parents, faculty and staff work together to give time,
talent and service to the greater Portland community. Programs such as
Hands Full of Heart, Holiday Food Baskets, tutoring at St. Andrews
Nativity School, serving the homeless at St. Francis Dining Hall and
elderly outreach with Friends Across Generations exemplify St. Mary's
call to service.
St. Mary's — unlike other
private schools — does not require its students to take part in
community service projects. By making participation voluntary, St. Mary's
encourages students to see service as part of their lives not as an
obligation to receive their diplomas.
St. Mary's is an environment
rich in values and grounded in the Catholic tradition where each young
woman can develop her individual potential. The liberal arts
curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive and world-centered
academic program focused on preparing students for higher education.
St. Mary's urban setting in
downtown Portland enhances the school's curriculum with unique access
to enriching educational and cultural opportunities. Situated within a
few blocks of Portland State University, Portland Art Museum, Oregon
History Center, Multnomah County Central Branch Library and the
Portland Center for the Performing Arts, St. Mary's draws upon a
wealth of resources that complement the classroom experience.
Students at St. Mary's
discover that education is the result of study, hands-on experience
and a personal desire to seek out knowledge and new challenges.
With a faculty dedicated to
each individual student, teacher advisors follow academic progress and
social development throughout each student's education at St. Mary's.
St. Mary's Academy views
athletics as an extension of the classroom where students learn the
values of hard work, determination and cooperation, while developing
their talents as athletes. As a member of the Oregon School Activities
Association (OSAA), St. Mary's competes in 6A level sports — cross
country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, swimming, golf, tennis, and
track & field — in the Mt. Hood Conference. St. Mary's Blues teams
also compete in four club sports - alpine and nordic skiing, lacrosse
and dragon boat racing.
Many of the state's finest
female athletes developed their skills while at St. Mary's. The
all-female environment allows girls to thrive in the spirit of
competition. Many former St. Mary's student-athletes are now coaches and
share the pride, inspiration and commitment to the winning history of
the school.
Sincerely,
The Administrative Team of St. Mary's Academy
Christina Friedhoff, President
Patricia Barr, Principal
Sister Linda Patrick '67, SNJM, Assistant Principal of Student Life
Alena Kelly, Assistant Principal of Academics
Lisa Gray, Director of Development