OVERVIEW

We Believe. Two words that inspired our 12 founding sisters as they welcomed the first students to St. Mary’s Academy in 1859. And today, we still believe. We believe in developing the whole person, in going to college, in leading and changing the world. We believe in girls who lift each other up. We believe in the values of our Catholic founders, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. We believe in social justice. We believe in the artist, the thinker, the dancer, the coder, the athlete, the servant, and the leader—especially the leader. We believe young women are powerful. St. Mary’s Academy is Oregon''s oldest continuously-operating secondary school. With a more than 160-year tradition of educating young women, St. Mary''s continues to serve a diverse school community and offer a challenging academic program that fosters the development of the whole person. Our urban setting in downtown Portland enhances the school''s curriculum with unique access to enriching educational and cultural opportunities that complement the classroom experience.