Head Of School

The Nature of Excellence in our School Community 

As we approached winter break, I watched our students take the stage, singing, dancing, and performing with the zest and spirit that the end of the first semester always seems to bring. In those moments, I was reminded that excellence is not simply a single performance or a final result. Excellence is the culture that makes those successes possible, shaped through daily preparation, strong relationships, and the shared belief that every student can grow.

Inherent in any mission statement for a school—but rarely explicitly stated—is a set of beliefs about young people, how they learn, and what motivates them. A school’s mission statement, in other words, is ultimately grounded in a particular view of the human person. Our mission—“To teach students to grow in character, lead with integrity, thrive in college, and know fulfillment in life”—emphasizes character and integrity, and it suggests a belief in the inherent dignity and moral agency of every person. It implies a belief that our students are capable of making choices that reflect values and purpose, and that included in that purpose is an obligation to others. Preparing students to thrive in college recognizes confidence in their intellectual potential—that a life of the mind is an end in itself—and that intellectual achievement is lifted by our communal connection to others. Lastly, the aspiration for fulfillment in life points to a deeper understanding of human flourishing, beyond achievement, toward meaning and well-being. 

Dear Saint Mary’s Hall Parents, 

Every August, our teachers, parents, and students begin the school year by considering “hopes and dreams” for each child’s educational journey. It is always inspiring to hear the aspirations our students set for themselves and to witness the steady progress they make toward those goals. Though the year has only just begun, there is already much to celebrate across our campus.

Dear Saint Mary’s Hall Parents, 

Congratulations to all on a meaningful and exciting start to the school year. We are so grateful for your trust and confidence in our School to educate and nurture your children. As we look ahead to the new school year, we celebrate the meaningful work happening at our beloved Saint Mary’s Hall.   

Dear Saint Mary’s Hall Community, 

I hope the opening week of summer has brought you both joy and rest. In this final News From the Hall, we celebrate the close of an incredible school year and the well-earned promotion of all our students. 

In the final week of school, we promoted our Form 5 students to Middle School, our Form 8 students to Upper School, and our Form 12 students to 49 different colleges and universities across 23 states and Washington, D.C. 

Dear Saint Mary's Hall Community, 

At Saint Mary’s Hall, we currently have 781 students; 1,089 parents; 322 teachers, coaches, and staff members; 5,694 alumni; and 229 Trustees and former Trustees…that is a *lot* of Barons! 

Our community is extensive, vibrant, and growing. So how do we ensure that, for every student, we are fulfilling our School’s vision, to know and be known, and activating our mission to prepare students to thrive in college and find fulfillment in life? We are all united in our mission and vision, that is certain—but we all have different ideas for how to get there. 

Dear Saint Mary’s Hall Community,

We are so excited to welcome over 200 alumni to campus tomorrow and Saturday for our annual Alumni Reunion Weekend.  Strong institutions have many voices, and those of our alumni are vital to the work that we do in educating our students.  Our 4,000 SMH alumni have lived lives of special purpose and meaning, and as we share their lifelong accomplishments and stories, they inspire our students.  That our alumni have trailblazed to make such significant contributions to the world gives tremendous confidence to our current students, who know they can aspire to the same lofty ambitions of those students who came before them. 

Dear Saint Mary’s Hall Community, 

It's so refreshing to have our students back on campus after spring break! Today, Southwest Blood and Tissue's mobile blood bank is parked outside my office for a blood drive, and it's been truly inspiring to see so many students step up to donate blood and help others. They are literally saving lives during their free periods.