Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you love SMA?
“I love SMA because I have the best friends in the world and I feel at home when I come to school.” – Maddy 2012
“I love SMA because not only does it provide a great academic experience, it gives me a place to join numerous clubs, develop bonds I will keep for a lifetime and grow into the woman I want to become.” - Maya 2011
“I love SMA because it has given me everything I could ask for in a school; lifelong relationships, an amazing education, fantastic opportunities, and teachers I can connect with.” – Amy 2011
“I love SMA because of the great teachers, kind friends, loving community, academic challenges and downtown Portland culture.” – Emily 2011
“I love SMA because it’s exploding with spirit and love.” – Greta 2011
“I love SMA for its fun, engaging classes, enthusiastic coaches, loving, supportive community and the accessible, urban location.” – Bella 2012
“I love SMA because I feel welcome no matter what classroom I walk into or who I talk to.” – Hannah 2012
“I love SMA because it is a home away from home. There is so much love, peace and a sense of family here.” – Artice 2012
“Words can’t really describe why I love SMA…it’s more in the feeling I get walking into school every morning.” - Emilie 2012
What type of service do you participate in? Why?
“I am a retreat leader because I like helping people open their hearts to new experiences and I like to have fun.” – Emily 2010
“I participate in service to help the homeless because I believe that everyone has the potential to be someone, including those who are less fortunate.” – Lucy 2012
“I participate in service through CMS because it is a rewarding way to give back and meet other girls.” – Daniella 2012
“I volunteer at the Children’s Healing Art Project which brings the healing power of art to kids who are sick. I also volunteer at the Providence Child Center.” – Rose 2011
“I volunteer at Providence Hospital’s Center for Medically Fragile Children because I want to directly improve the lives of kids marginalized by society.” – Justine 2011
“The service I participate in is mostly school-related, like the phone-a-thon and auction, because I love supporting my school” – Kate 2012
Why do you go to an all-girls school?
“I go to an all-girls school because it allows me to grow in a comfortable community and create life long friendships.” -Haley 2011
“An all-girls school creates an environment where you can feel comfortable speaking up and sharing your viewpoints.” – Sonja 2012
“I go to an all-girls school because more than anything, it has given me the freedom to be whoever I want and to create bonds and friendships among my classmates.” – Amy 2011
“I go to an all-girls school so that I can be myself, be the best that I can be, become as well educated as possible and be in an environment where I can thrive.” – Emily 2011
“I go to an all-girls school because of the close-knit and accepting community that the all-girls environment offers.” – Rose 2011
“I go to an all-girls school because there isn’t as much pressure to look or act a certain way.” – Madeline 2012
Why do you go to a Catholic school?
“I go to a Catholic school because I believe in education for the whole person – mind, body and spirit.” – Emily 2010
“I go to a Catholic school because I was raised, and remain an active member of the Catholic Church, but also because my family values a quality education, like one provided by a Catholic school.” – Julia 2012
“I go to a Catholic school because although I am not Catholic myself, I’ve found that being around people with faith lightens my spirits and makes my time at school easier and fun.” – Casia 2012
“I chose to go to a Catholic school because I wanted to expand and move forward with my faith.” – Lauren 2011
“I go to a Catholic school because of the service-focused and faith-filled learning environment. Everyone is accepted and free to embrace religion in their own ways.” – Rose 2011
What do you hope to gain from a St. Mary’s Academy education?
“A St. Mary’s education not only educates the mind but nurtures the whole person; you leave this school a more mature young adult who understands the world and her place in it.” – Sonja 2012
“I hope to gain from my education the college-preparedness that I need to succeed in college and eventually in a job that I love.” - Maya 2011
“I hope to leave SMA with a strong sense of self-confidence and work ethic as well as the ability to write a killer research paper.” – Julia 2012
“From a St. Mary’s Academy education I hope to gain incredible knowledge, confidence, intelligence and skills which I can use in college and later in life.” – Emily 2011
“I hope to gain a better understanding of the world around me and the impact that my actions have on other people from a St. Mary’s Academy education.” – Rose 2011
“After SMA, I hope to have gained a greater appreciation for learning, the skills to succeed in any environment and many close friends.” - Justine 2011
Do you have a funny learning moment you can share – specifically about a cool teacher or field trip?
“I wouldn’t have guessed before coming to St. Mary’s that I would be placed in AP History. It is because of teachers like Ms. Nyland that makes history exciting and fun that I am able to challenge myself in new ways.” – Sonja 2012
“Mr. Hemmen is hilarious and makes class very entertaining when he re-enacts stories from the Bible in a “one-man play”! It is a great way to learn. - Maya 2011
“I like how my teachers try to capture our interests in many ways, like when Mrs. Housley related the Grateful Dead lyrics to Hamlet.” – Emily 2010
“One of my favorite learning moments was when we had a tea party in Mrs. Salvi’s class after reading A Take of Two Cities.” – India 2012
“One funny learning moment I experienced was after we turned in our research papers, my English class had a free class where we played games and had a dance party with our teacher, Mrs. Foran.” – Rose 2011
“One fun learning moment I had was last St. Patrick’s Day when my English teacher, Mrs. Salvi, gave us an Irish literature lesson just for that day in an Irish accent.” – Kate 2012
If you play a sport or are in performance art at SMA, please share why.
“I play volleyball and run track for SMA because I have always loved being a part of a team and I have made some amazing friends through athletics here.” – Julia 2012
“It’s easy to get involved with SMA activities. I play soccer and track, and I wrote a one act play!” – Caitlin 2012
Describe the spirit (vibe) at SMA?
“I love SMA because of the academic rigor, good teachers, community atmosphere and school spirit.” -Justine 2011
“The vibe at SMA is super friendly and always silly or goofy. No one goes a day or even two hours without laughing.” – Julia 2012
“The spirit of SMA is incredibly positive, excited and supportive, aimed at helping you do your best.” – Franny 2012
“SMA has an amazing spirit that resonates in every student and teacher.” Megan 2012
How do students meet boys?
“I meet boys at track meets, dances, football games and through my friends at other schools. Just because I go to an all-girls school doesn’t mean boys don’t exist anymore!” – Julia 2012
“Students meet boys through sporting events, doing community service, outdoor school, MUN, mock trial, dances and keeping in touch with friends from other schools.” – Bella 2012
“Students meet boys by staying in touch with their friends from middle school, going on out of school retreats and meeting people through community service.” –Hannah 2012
Have you been to autumn nights, semi-formal or prom? Why is it special?
“Dances at SMA are especially fun because you get to see everyone looking glamorous and with cute boys! You can practically taste the excitement in the air.” – Rochelle 2012
“As a junior, I have been to both Prom and Autumn Nights. Prom was especially memorable because I had fun dressing up and dancing the night away with my date and my friends.” – Amy 2011
Tell me about a club you are involved in.
“I am involved in Tri-M. We plan musical events around the school. Each meeting we do something fun like play “name that tune” or watch an episode of Glee” – Emily 2010
“Food club is tons of fun. Nothing brings people closer like food does!” – Li 2011
“I am involved in Politics Club because it is a place where you can have an informed conversation with your peers about modern day issues.” - Jordan 2012
“I participate in mock trial because it is a fun way to exercise critical thinking and public speaking skills.” - Jordan 2012
“I’m involved in International Club and we always have an interesting activity to do. From having a guest speaker to hacking down on a piñata for dia de los muertos, we have a ton of fun and learn a lot.” – Rochelle 2012
“I am involved in outdoor club. Outdoor club is amazing because we talk about the importance of the environment and go on hikes, which is important for a healthy body. The leaders of the club are supportive, funny and amazing.” – Hannah 2012
What are the benefits of being downtown?
“It is really helpful to be close to the PSU library where there are great resources at our disposal. There are many added perks of being downtown, we are really close to some tasty eateries and a movie theater!” – Sonja 2012
“Being downtown provides easy transportation, fun shops, great places to go for lunch and being close to places like Keller fountain, the waterfront and Pioneer Square.” - Maya 2011
“I am involved in dance club and it helps me to build self-confidence through the support of my peers and having fun.” – Erin 2012
“The benefits of being downtown are the transportation, the closeness to PSU, the places to eat and being a part of a young urban society.” – Elise 2012
Share with me why one of the following is meaningful: Retreat, Liturgy, Poverty Awareness Day, Hands Full of Heart, Junior Skills Day, Career Day, Summer Program, Blues Bridge Walk, Founders’ Day
“Poverty Awareness Day provides a day without classes to truly explore and learn about the effects of poverty and what we can actually do to help. It opens the eyes of the students to view poverty locally and globally.” - Maya 2011
“Founder’s Day is important because it reminds the students of the legacy we are a part of.” – Erin 2012
“The summer program was meaningful for me because it gave me a chance to get to know teachers that I won’t have for another few years.” - Jordan 2012
“Sophomore retreat is so meaningful because it brings our class together and reminds us that we are a part of a bigger whole.” – Erin 2012
“The Blues Bridge Walk is a fun opportunity to march the waterfront and show the city who we are as a school community.” – Frannie 2011
“I think the retreats are truly inspiring and meaningful. Not only do they bond friends forever, but give St. Mary’s girls the opportunity to have a once in a lifetime experience that they never could have otherwise.” – Hannah 2012
“Founder’s Day is really meaningful because you get to see and appreciate all the alumna who came before you” - Justine 2011
Why is being environmentally friendly important and how does St. Mary’s contribute to it?
“SMA’s recycling program and ecobooks help reduce waste and keep our planet healthy for future generations of SMA students!” – Emily 2010
“St. Mary’s is environmentally friendly in so many ways. You can always see TIES, the Green Team, and the science clubs recycling or posting signs about conservation.” – Daniella 2012
“Being environmentally friendly is critical to the healthy future of our planet and SMA stresses the ability each individual to make a difference by encouraging recycling and conservation of water and other previous resources.” – Bella 2012
“St. Mary’s contributes to the environment by not only being green, but informing other ways we can contribute, such as on Poverty Awareness day.” – Madeline 2012
“The world is our home, just as much as it is SMA’s home, and we show that with groups like TIES, earth club, green team and more!” – Caitlin 2012
“St. Mary’s girls are huge recyclers and do many clothing drives and book drives, bringing used clothes and books to those in need while recycling” – Dana 2011
“Being environmentally friendly is important because we must all do our part to stop the pollution of our earth. St. Mary’s does many types of recycling and we have reusable plate and silverware in the cafeteria” - Justine 2011