Know and Be Known

Saint Mary's Hall is pleased to announce that Dr. Avé Luke-Simpson has been appointed as our next Head of Middle School, following a nationwide search.

Avé brings more than 20 years of experience in independent schools as both a teacher and a leader. She currently serves as Director of Academic Strategy & IB Programmes at Headwaters School in Austin, where she leads the rollout of the Middle Years Programme (grades 6–10), oversees IB Diploma Programme coordination, and serves on the Academic Leadership Team; Prior to that, she led their high school division. 

We begin the month of May with National College Decision Day, celebrating the Class of 2026 and the many paths they are preparing to pursue. Their college choices reflect years of growth in character, curiosity, and purpose—hallmarks of a Saint Mary’s Hall education rooted in our mission to teach students to grow in character, lead with integrity, thrive in college, and find fulfillment in life.

In early April, our campus came alive with familiar footsteps through hallways, joyful reunions among friends and former roommates, Blue Ties brought out of storage and worn with pride, and stories that spanned generations. Alumni Weekend 2026 was a powerful celebration of legacy, reconnection, and the enduring spirit that binds our Saint Mary’s Hall community together no matter how many miles or years stand in between us.

On Thursday, February 26, Saint Mary’s Hall Upper School students came together for one of its hallmark traditions, Issues Day, an event designed to challenge perspectives, inspire dialogue, and deepen understanding of the world’s most pressing questions. This year’s focus: 

How will Artificial Intelligence affect the job market and education, and what measures can the government take to regulate it?  

Planned and led by the Class of 2027, Issues Day 2026 brought together an exceptional panel of experts spanning law, computer science, education, government, and industry. Moderated by Dr. K. Jill Fleuriet of The University of Texas at San Antonio, the discussion invited students to explore AI not as a distant concept, but as a force already shaping their futures.