St. Mary's Episcopal School

09/03/2026

The Metal Museum shaped Maddie Miller 14’s childhood. Now, Maddie is helping forge the museum’s next chapter.

When the Metal Museum opens its new campus in Overton Park’s historic Rust Hall this weekend, Maddie Miller will celebrate both a professional and personal milestone.

Maddie, the museum’s Director of Development and Communications, has spent the last several years building support and excitement surrounding the Metal Museum’s move from its longtime home on the Mississippi bluff to the heart of Overton Park.

As Maddie shared with us, the expansion marks her “proudest professional achievement to date.” But watching the museum, which holds decades of memories, cast into something new carries an entirely different weight.

“It’s especially meaningful because this building has been part of my life since I was born,” Maddie noted. “My parents both worked and taught here for more than 30 years. It’s where I grew up. To now have the opportunity to help transform it into the Metal Museum’s new home has been one of the greatest honors of not just my career, but my life.”

While the Metal Museum’s new location will spark academic and artistic opportunities, it’s the sense of community that Maddie hopes will shine. Through her time at St. Mary’s, Maddie learned the importance of relationship and stewardship—both of which are now pillars of her work.

“The belonging I found at St. Mary’s has shaped the way I approach my job,” Maddie said. “I hope the people who support and engage with the Metal Museum feel that same sense of belonging, that they know they are valued, remembered, and always welcome.”

In that spirit, Maddie invited SMS former teachers and current students to the museum before it opens to the public. The visit was part of our school’s Memphis Legacy Project, a signature program that documents culturally significant Memphis buildings at risk of disrepair, preserving their history before restoration. Students chronicle iconic landmarks and share their stories.

To read Maddie’s full story and explore the St. Mary’s Memphis Legacy Project, click the link below!

https://www.stmarysschool.org/about/news-publications/news-detail-close/~board/alumnae/post/forging-community-madison-miller-14-invites-memphis-to-rust-hall

09/02/2026

Little acts of kindness can make the biggest impact. Read about how the Turkeys showed their spirit to a fellow Memphian this 901 Day!

Jeff Fioranelli has run the same route every day for 30 years. One Wednesday, nearly 400 St. Mary’s students cheered him on. On 901 Day, he showed up to thank them for their support.

09/02/2026

We really, really do!

Happy 901 Day to our city, Memphis. 💙

09/01/2026

Ready to find your people? Join the club! 

In St. Mary’s Upper School, girls can choose from 125+ classes, 25+ extracurricular opportunities, 11 sports, three student-led publications, and three specialized degree tracks. These experiences are more than avenues to explore interests. They create real leadership experience and empower girls to tackle the challenges of building community. 

At our annual Upper School Club Fair, students get to see firsthand what extracurricular life has to offer. Whether discovering a new hobby or honing a hidden talent, clubs unite students around what brings them joy. 

Clubs also provide an outlet to give voice to and raise awareness of the subjects that matter most to our girls. New to the Club Fair this year were the Fashion Club and the ASL Club, two organizations that bring language, culture, and creativity directly to students. 

Service is interwoven into club activities through fundraisers, special events, clothing drives, and more, all designed to benefit Memphis and nonprofits worldwide. To further their impact, students also volunteer with local nonprofits.

At this year’s Club Fair, St. Mary’s nonprofit partners lined the hallway of our Athletic and Wellness Center. They shared with each girl the difference their organizations make and how to get involved. 

Finding your purpose starts with finding your club. At St. Mary’s, every girl has the opportunity to discover who she wants to be—or the resources to build that path herself.

To read more about student life at SMS, click the link in our bio!

08/28/2026

We’re picturing a great weekend ahead! 🩵

Lots of goodness has been captured this month at SMS, but if you only remember the snapshots, we’ve got you covered. Classrooms, stages, fields, and courts have all been bright backdrops for our girls, who are always in focus.

We’re framing Friday as a win!

08/27/2026

Turning your passion into action always pays off. AC Hensarling ’27 and Electra Kalodimos ’28 are the proof! 

As Memphians, St. Mary’s girls carry a deep sense of pride and care toward their city. Service learning gets students locally involved, but it often inspires them to take their own action, too. 

Inspired to make an impact, AC and Electra joined the St. Jude Leadership Society (SJLS), a competitive, six-month service program for high schoolers run by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. SJLS offers a combination of mentorship, networking, and peer collaboration that gives students the tools to turn their interest in St. Jude’s mission into an actionable fundraising strategy.

Along with leadership learning sessions, program participants have to raise $3,000, an exercise in philanthropy that provides a real opportunity to make a difference. 

As the girls discovered, fundraising wasn’t always easy. But, AC and Electra stayed true to their “why,” and the result was reflected in more than donations. 

For their outstanding work, AC and Electra were invited to the St. Jude Next Gen Experience, a national conference for SJLS members. Electra even received the award for Most Funds Raised in the Memphis Cohort—a distinction that came after raising double her original amount. 

“I learned what can happen when I set a clear goal, reach it, and involve my community in a cause that matters,” Electra reflected. “Even small efforts lead to bigger change.” 

For AC, the biggest return was growing in confidence, courage, and bravery—traits she believes others can harness, too. 

“Go for it,” AC encouraged. “Don’t be afraid of the challenge. You might get told ‘no’ to a donation or two, but don’t get discouraged. What you are doing is more important, and why you’re doing it could change the world.” 

To read more about AC and Electra’s experience, click the link in our bio!

08/26/2026

It’s time to tee off like a Turkey!

We’re excited to announce the 2nd annual St. Mary’s Turkey Tee Off, presented by Ellichman Vein & Vascular Centers.

Join St. Mary’s parents, alumnae, families, friends, and community partners on October 19, 2026 at Ridgeway Country Club for an exciting day of friendly golf competition, all in support of St. Mary’s girls.

By participating as a sponsor or golfer, you’ll help provide the exceptional educational and athletic opportunities that define the St. Mary’s experience.

Teams and sponsorships are limited, so secure your spot today!

Learn more and register online via the link below.
https://pro.gofundme.com/event/st-marys-turkey-tee-off/e808167

08/26/2026

There’s no place like St. Mary’s!

It’s an easy claim to make, but one that rings true. Especially if you know SMS white and blue!

Our unique campus, inspiring teachers, and committed families all create an environment for girls to thrive. The result is evident in bright classrooms, lots of school spirit, and rich extracurricular opportunities.

Wishing you a week filled with moments that remind you there’s no place like home at Perkins and Walnut Grove.

08/21/2026

Meet Ms. Elizabeth Ray, 3rd Grade English Teacher! 

Ms. Ray is the kind of teacher who makes sure every girl knows she is remarkable. 

“St. Mary’s girls are bright, thoughtful, and creative,” Ms. Ray shared. “There’s something magical about watching them recognize those qualities in themselves and carry that confidence into everything they do.” 

The power of being seen, known, and loved translates into long-lasting academic confidence.

Each May, Ms. Ray has her students compare their September writing samples with their work at the end of the year. “It’s so rewarding to see the girls recognize their own growth,” she said, “and realize just how much they can accomplish when they are resilient, work hard, and embrace challenges.”

Ms. Ray joined St. Mary’s in 2021, bringing a philosophy shaped by her own elementary school teachers. “I was encouraged to think creatively, be a good friend, and challenge myself academically,” she reflected. 

That same spirit drives her classroom today. “Teaching girls means giving them the tools to discover who they are, along with the guidance and encouragement to become the most confident versions of themselves,” Ms. Ray said. 

Twice every year, Ms. Ray hosts the Grammar Olympics, where, as she says, “the girls become each other’s biggest cheerleaders.” Later in the year, 3rd graders pair notable women in history with descriptive adjectives, bringing their stories to life in ways that help students envision their own futures. During the second semester, Ms. Ray’s classes begin morphology, a study that captivates the girls with word-decoding exercises and games.

Ultimately, Ms. Ray empowers girls to flourish, all with the help of one another. “I try to make our lessons engaging and fun, but the girls bring so much of their own personality and energy. When the girls feel a sense of responsibility and support, they embrace everything we do as a team.” 

This year, we’re celebrating the teachers who make St. Mary’s a bright place for girls, for life. Help us celebrate Ms. Ray, the way!

08/21/2026

BLUE + WHITE! 💙🤍

2026–27 Blue and White competitions kicked off this week, with Middle and Upper School taking the lead. 
Blue & White begins in 1st grade, when girls excitedly discover which spirit team (Blue or White) they’ll belong to for the rest of their time at St. Mary’s. 

That early tradition builds into something bigger. In Middle School, 6th graders and placed into Blue or White houses, smaller groups that work on service projects and morale efforts throughout the year.
On Wednesday, Middle and Upper School Pep Clubs led their divisions in Blue and White pep rallies, setting the tone for the year ahead. Upper School girls competed in games to earn points for their teams, while Middle School houses got their first taste of working together over treats from Ben and Jerry’s! 

Along the way, Blue and White builds camaraderie, spirit, and collaboration. Our girls bring their own personality to the competition, whether through choreographing a lip sync battle, leading a cheer, decorating the halls, or racking up points through service hours and game attendance.

To read more about how Blue and White enhances student life at SMS, click the link in our bio!