St. Mary's Episcopal School

Founded in 1847, St. Mary's is the Oldest Independent School in Tennessee. We know how girls learn best and have a community of caring adults who want each girl to reach her potential. Girls here are smart in many ways — academically, creatively, athletically — and success at St. Mary's therefore is as individual as each girl. Our dedicated faculty provide the students with habits of mind and academic tools to thrive in their future: core knowledge, collaboration, creativity, and the desire and ability to keep learning as an adult.

As an Episcopal School, we have a nurturing, diverse, and inclusive environment. Girls grow in character from the earliest years and learn to respect each others' faith as they grow in their own.The mission of St. Mary's Episcopal School is to provide a superior educational experience for girls which will encourage and enable each student to reach her individual potential.

St. Mary’s is a school founded in the tradition of the Episcopal Church, and in that light we strive to be a welcoming, respectful, inclusive community. Students, faculty, and staff at St. Mary's transcend all creeds and religions. Our Christian tradition welcomes girls of all faiths and actively fosters their faiths as a strong and joyous basis for living principled lives, being active members of the community, and giving of themselves to others. We celebrate – and try to live – the values of being kinder than necessary, being an upstander, and serving our neighbors from a heart of compassion.

One of the visible markers of our Episcopal identity is Chapel. Girls in the Middle and Upper Schools attend Chapel every day, while girls in the Early Childhood Center and Lower School attend Chapel once a week. Chapel serves as a centering moment in our busy world and is a time to gather as a community to celebrate our shared life. We hear stories of faith, stories from our students, and the stories of guests who represent a wide spectrum of the best of the Memphis community. St Mary's strives to create an environment that is comfortable for both Christians and non-Christians, encouraging girls to find the love of God at work in each other and to seek truth in places they might not have otherwise looked. In such a community, acts of kindness are encouraged and community service is expected.

At St. Mary’s, we have faith in one another. Students, faculty, and staff respect and help each other at school and beyond. Our Episcopal identity affects the teachings of the faculty, and informs the decisions made by the staff, administration, and Board of Trustees. The Episcopal tradition teaches us to respect the dignity of everyone we meet, and this allows us to live more fully into our mission: to enable and encourage each student to reach her individual potential.

Each girl is one of a kind, individually gifted, and smart in her own way. We believe in guiding each girl to reach her individual potential. With our 100% girl culture, our students aren't afraid to take risks or make mistakes.

Girls thrive in an all-girl environment. Research shows that graduates of girls' schools are more likely to see themselves in leadership positions, rate themselves higher in math and science courses, and are more engaged and confident in the classroom and beyond.

From the performance stage to the science lab, from the sports field to Chapel - St. Mary's girls learn to collaborate, inspire others, and achieve their goals. It's no surprise that St. Mary's graduates are at the forefront of developments in science, math, technology, the arts, healthcare, education, the military, and public service. In Memphis and across the planet, St. Mary's girls make a positive impact.