As we reflect on the 2025–2026 school year, one thing stands out above all else: our community continues to show up for St. Mary’s.

​

This was our first full year with students learning, creating, playing, and connecting in the new spaces made possible through the Design The Future campaign. Seeing these spaces fully come to life has been an incredible reminder that philanthropy at St. Mary’s is ultimately about our students and the experiences we create for them.

And this year, our community continued to answer the call.

​

When an opportunity emerged to create a new outdoor stage for our Arts Alliance program, families stepped forward through the St. Mary’s Fund to make it possible. When we set our sights on transforming the field and outdoor play spaces, our community rallied quickly, raising more than $1.3 million. We continued investing in important programs like the St. Mary’s Scholar Program and came together for one of our most successful Galas to date.

​

These are significant accomplishments, but the numbers tell only part of the story. Philanthropy at St. Mary’s is not only about what we build. It helps create the programs, experiences and opportunities that shape our students every day.

​

What makes this community so special is the many ways people choose to contribute. Families give at every level. Parents volunteer their time. Committee members share their expertise. Grandparents, alumni families and friends remain connected. Again and again, people ask, “How can I help?” Every contribution of time, talent and resources makes St. Mary’s stronger.

​

We also closed the year looking ahead, affirming our school values and introducing language that brings them to life for our entire community. As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, these values will help guide how we learn, lead, care for one another and continue shaping the future of St. Mary’s. 

​

There is much to look forward to in the year ahead. Our students are already learning, playing and connecting in the newly transformed Liu Family Field and outdoor play spaces, and our new outdoor stage will create even more opportunities for the arts to come to life on campus. We will continue investing in the programs and experiences that distinguish a St. Mary’s education while remaining focused on what matters most: creating meaningful opportunities for every student to learn, grow and thrive. Our rigorous IB program, paired with design thinking, prepares students not only to understand the world, but to shape it. IB provides the academic rigor and global perspective; design thinking gives students the tools, confidence and agency to turn that understanding into action.

​

Philanthropy will continue to be an important part of that work. The generosity of our community gives St. Mary’s the ability to think boldly, respond to new opportunities and continue moving our school forward in ways that directly benefit our students.

​

This year also marks a transition in Board leadership. We are deeply grateful to Kevin DeAllen as he concludes his service as Chair of the Board of Trustees and for his leadership during a monumental period in St. Mary’s history. As Gordon McNeill steps into the role of Board Chair, we look forward to building on that strong foundation and carrying this momentum into the year ahead. 

​

As we celebrate what our community made possible this past year, we also look ahead with tremendous optimism and a strong foundation for what comes next.

​

To everyone who showed up for St. Mary’s this year, thank you. We are incredibly grateful for all that you make possible and excited for all that lies ahead.

​

With gratitude,