How will you become your best ? St. Margaret’s School provides a learning environment where girls know they belong, are challenged and supported to believe in themselves, and are prepared to become their best. We inspire girls to explore and reach their full potential and make a better world as tomorrow’s leaders and innovators.

“Our approach to successfully educating and raising girls

connects them with a resourceful, supportive community where

they gain confidence and competence. St. Margaret’s girlsknow who they are, what they can do, and how to do it.”

WHY A GIRLS’ SCHOOL?

Nearly 80 percent of girls’ school students report most of their classes challenge them to achieve their full academic potential compared to 72 percent of girls at coed independent and 44 percent at coed public schools. Girls’ schools also provide unique mentoring and leadership opportunities, help to build self-confidence, provide classes that encourage girls’ interest in math and science, and prepare girls for the world. Source: National Coalition of Girls’ Schools

Catherine M. Sgroi | Head of School

“I came to St. Margaret’s in need of a loving community that wanted to invest in me and

watch me grow. That need, and so much more,

was fulfilled during my time there.”

Laura | Class of 2018

We believe in the power of all girls. We value your spirit, celebrate your uniqueness, and respect your views. We promote your ability to learn, take safe risks, discover new interests, and grow in all areas of life. Whether you come from across the world or down the street, you will be welcome and at home among our global community of lifelong friends.

For nearly 100 years, St. Margaret’s School has offered girls an outstanding college-preparatory education. We offer grades 8–12 and a postgraduate year for day, boarding, and five-day boarding students. Here, you will develop honor and character along with academic and life skills to help you become an independent, creative, and morally courageous woman prepared to make a positive impact on the world.

Belong to a supportive community.

GLOBAL DIVERSITY We are diverse and multicultural, with 30 percent of our students coming from as many as 14 countries, along with girls from across the United States.

“I grew more confident and mature at SMS,

and more self-motivated, especially academically.

My friends and teachers helped push me to be

more active, to speak up, and be involved.”

Lizzie | Class of 2017

We know how to educate girls. Our class sizes are small, so you receive individual attention, and the curriculum is readiness-based to support and build your level of skill and ability.

We encourage curiosity, foster creative thinking, and will challenge you to push hard and reach beyond your comfort zones—to try and not be afraid to fail because we will be there to help you along the way. Outstanding students have a range of opportunities for advanced study in Honors and Advanced Placement classes, independent study, and dual enrollment in college courses.

With one of the most established international programs among American boarding schools, St. Margaret’s offers students from around the world the culture of achievement they are seeking, with an academic program designed to fit their needs, including extensive ESL support.

Our Wheat Center for Innovative Learning provides enrichment opportunities for girls at all levels. The Wheat Center offers tutoring, skill-building, and academic support, and oversees our innovative postgraduate program, THRIVE, a unique year of study, internships, and travel to help girls succeed in college and life.

Believe in your ability to achieve.

“I partake in school leadership to make a difference in our community and help it grow.

As Gandhi once said, ‘ Be the change you

wish to see in the world’.“

Mackenzie | Class of 2019

We are guided by our Honor Code and Episcopal tenets that promote love, faith, reason, and tradition—not for tradition’s sake but to help connect us with one another and infuse our lives with inner meaning and self-worth.

We respect the dignity of all people and promote compassion, forgiveness, and generosity. Social responsibility is an important part of our purpose and inspires our students to serve others as Chapel leaders, on our Honor Council, as Student Government leaders, and by volunteering in our local community and around the world.

Believe in the difference you can make.

OUR HONOR CODE On my honor, I will not lie, cheat, or steal. In addition, I will take responsibility for those in our community who do so.

St. Margaret’s cultivates integrity and good character—traits to carry you through life. These qualities will help you overcome challenges, form strong relationships, and prepare you for leadership roles and other life achievements.

Believe great things lie ahead for you.While academics and studying are a priority, life outside the classroom at St. Margaret’s is active and fun. You become part of a sisterhood of friends who learn, live, and play together, building strong bonds and creating cherished memories. Whether you are a day student, five-day boarding, or full-time boarding student, SMS is home.

Life on the river is good. Boating, fishing, water skiing, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, sailing, swimming, and just relaxing with friends on the dock and beach are all things we enjoy here.

Shopping, eating out, attending socials with other schools, visiting museums and other cultural events, plus rooting for our Scotties at home and away games are part of the SMS experience, and much more.

JOIN THE FUN Art Club, Basic Needs Community Service, Green Team, Honor Council, Leadership positions, Scottie Guides, SPEAK!, Student Government Association, Tides literary magazine, Treble Choir, Stay Tuned musical group, Yearbook staff, and the Book Club.

During Minimester, students take enrichment courses or go on educational trips as part of a special two-week winter term. Seniors conduct research or intern during this time in a field of potential career interest through our Independent Study Program.

Be a student of the world on an International Exchange where you can spend a month or more studying in Australia, Chile, or New Zealand at a sister school that also is named for St. Margaret of Scotland.

And, every day, the river is our classroom where learning comes naturally. Spanning the curriculum, co-curriculum, and residential life is our innovative River Program that engages girls in hands-on science, outdoor adventures, and volunteer service. You will learn about science in everyday life, focusing on scientific inquiry, environmental issues, and field studies by exploring the beautiful habitat around us.

Important to learning at St. Margaret’s are the experiences you will have engaging with nature, exploring new territory, and making discoveries both big and small on and off campus. These are discoveries that will inform, influence, and perhaps even change your life in unexpected ways, widening your perspective and perhaps even contributing to a better world.

Field trips throughout our region, environmental study and fieldwork, international travel and exchange, research, independent study, and internships are all opportunities that will be open to you at St. Margaret’s.Believe in a world of possibilities.

• 1:6 teacher-student ratio• Average class size: 10 students• 66% of our students receive financial aid• Accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools• Member of the League of

Independent Schools (LIS) and the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA)

“In your life, there are only a

few places you can call home.

St. Margaret’s is one of those

places and I can always come back.”

Emma | Class of 2016

• 10-acre riverfront campus with a 42-acre athletic complex

• Three residence halls• Student center, game tables,

swimming pool, and fitness room• Private beach and dock, kayaks,

canoes, sailboats, and paddle boards• School colors: Blue and Grey• Mascot: Scotties

• 120 girls • Grades 8–12 and postgraduate • Day, boarding, and five-day boarding • 20% day, 80% boarding • 30% international students,

representing 14 countries• Episcopal traditions

that welcome all faiths

Whether you plan to participate in college athletics or just want to be active and try something new, there are many opportunities at St. Margaret’s for you to challenge yourself and have fun in our athletics program. We coach student-athletes to Be St. Margaret’s, to become part of a team and belong to something bigger than they are. Our Scotties learn to believe in what they can achieve and not be afraid to fail. They become better people, better students, better teammates, and skilled athletes who are prepared to succeed in college and life.

Believe in the power of being a Scottie.

SCOTTIE STATS

75% of students play sports

2018 LIS Softball Champions, six players chosen for the all-LIS team, and LIS Softball Coach of the Year

11 teams, 42-acre athletic complex

LIS Volleyball Coach of the Year for the past four years

“The experiences I had at

SMS made me a better student,

athlete, and person who can

excel in college. I am able to

play a sport, participate in clubs,

go out and have fun, and still

manage to earn good grades.”

Becca | Class of 2017

BasketballCross CountryField HockeyIndoor TrackSwimmingSoccerSoftballVolleyball

Exploring your creativity through Visual and Performing Arts provides opportunities to expand your thinking and express your personality. Music, voice, drama, drawing, painting, mixed media, fashion design, ceramics, and more are artistic forms of expression you may pursue through our curriculum, student clubs, and afternoon activities.

Student artists enrich our campus with art shows held in the Ellen Brooks Gallery. They also contribute to our region through art-related service projects, showing their work in local galleries, and competing in art contests.

Performing arts students study drama and technical theater and stage a musical each year for the public. It is a student-led production where they serve as actors, directors, art directors, production designers, and crew.

Music is a big part of life at St. Margaret’s. Our program suits girls with a variety of interests and talents, and we are equipped with practice rooms and a range of instruments for both group and private instruction. Our Treble Choir performs at many school events, including during Chapel, and at community events in the area. Check them out on our YouTube channel, stmargaretstv.

Believe in your creativity and act on it.

EXPRESSIONS

Nearly half of our students made up the cast and crew in our 2018 production of Annie.

26 Performing Arts and Visual Arts courses are available.

Our one-thousand square foot Ellen Brooks Gallery displays student art.

Over 400 pieces of student art are on display around campus.

“I never thought I could act, sing, and

dance in a musical but I auditioned

and made the cast. It was really fun and I can’t wait to try out again.”

Pretti | Class of 2019

PICTURE YOURSELF HERE The Senior Portrait project is one of our treasured traditions. Students collaborate on creating stunning color pencil portraits of each senior that express creative synergy, show deep appreciation for our fellow students, and capture our beautiful Scottie spirit.

“You will always have your SMS

sisters with you. No matter what!”Robin | Class of 1971

Become a part of something wonderful.

We honor our place in St. Margaret’s history with traditions that connect us, demonstrate our values, and celebrate our close, inclusive community. Some traditions are part of our nearly 100-year legacy, some are in the making, and all of them are joyful expressions of our love for one another and St. Margaret’s.

Chapel service in the Episcopal tradition brings us together twice a week for quiet introspection, worship, and meditation. Our Treble Choir performs frequently during Chapel where our voices blend in beautiful harmony.

We celebrate our diversity in a colorful International Festival that showcases the cultures of our students’ home countries. Together we learn about their history, cuisine, music, art, dance, and more as a global sisterhood.

LOUDESTBlue/Grey competitions show our Scottie pride. GO BLUE! GO GREY!

Quietest Lantern Ceremony where seniors give their junior “little lanterns” their class rings and lanterns as symbols of passage.

DressiestMay Ball is a formal affair honoring our seniors who wear white gowns. Dancing in the moonlight by the river is magical.

Merriest Our ninth grade hosts a festive Freshman Christmas Party for the whole community, including a visit from Santa.

Fondest Showing appreciation for one another and expressing gratitude is the theme of the evening at the Junior/Senior Banquet.

”As we grow in age, may we grow in grace.”

From the St. Margaret’s School Prayer

Become your best.

Some colleges and universities Scotties attend:

American UniversityBaylor UniversityBoston UniversityCollege of William and MaryCornell CollegeDenison UniversityDrexel UniversityGeorge Mason UniversityGeorge Washington UniversityGeorgia State UniversityGoucher CollegeHoward UniversityIndiana UniversityJames Madison UniversityNew York UniversityOhio State UniversityPennsylvania State UniversitySweet Briar CollegeSyracuse UniversityTemple UniversityTulane UniversityUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of IllinoisUniversity of MichiganUniversity of MississippiUniversity of North CarolinaUniversity of RichmondUniversity of San FranciscoUniversity of South CarolinaUniversity of TexasUniversity of VirginiaVirginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginia TechWorcester Polytechnic Institute

Preparing girls for college is at the center of what we do best at St. Margaret’s. It’s a journey you will take with our Office of College Counseling that will help you navigate the planning and decision-making process over your years here.

During our Minimester session each winter, our juniors participate in Next Steps, an experiential class that immerses them in the total college process, including mastering the college essay, sharpening SAT test-taking skills, and participating in mock admission interviews.

The college experience for some Scotties begins at St. Margaret’s where they take Advanced Placement and Honors classes, online courses, and are dual-enrolled for college credit.

”In my senior speech at SMS, I explored the

meaning, implications, and opportunity of

high-reach visual communication. Now

I’m leading a team to think ethically and

thoughtfully about how we show up for nearly

two billion people—the seedlings of this path

nurtured at St. Margaret’s years ago.”

Chloe Greene, Facebook Art Director | Class of 1997

Effort Pays Off

More than 80% of girls’ school grads consider their academic performance highly successful. Source: National Coalition of Girls’ Schools.

St. Margaret’s results include:84% of 2018 AP test-takers scored

a 3 or higher; one 2017 graduate received a perfect ACT score.

Most students taking the AP Calculus AB exam scored a 5.

Nearly all 2018 seniors were dual-enrolled and earned college credits.

100% of graduates attend college or pursue a gap year experience.

Our 2018 graduates received over 110 college acceptances and more than $475,000 in scholarships.

We believe you belong here.Our Admission Team looks forward to getting to know you and your family and to having you visit campus soon. We actively pursue and admit qualified students of all races, colors, religious affiliations, and national or ethnic origins, and we accept and enroll students on a rolling basis throughout the year.

VISIT CAMPUS AND APPLYSee the Admission page of our website to inquire further and find a checklist to guide you through the admission process at www.sms.org/apply.

Here’s an overview of what you will need:

Application and Supplements

St. Margaret’s accepts applications using the SMS Student Application, SSAT Applicationonline, or the TABS Common Application.

Application Fee

$50 for U.S. applicants.$100 for international applicants.

RecommendationsTeacher recommendations must be completed bycurrent Math and English teachers.

TranscriptsHave your guidance counselor or registrar sendyour transcript and most recent semester/markingperiod grades from this year to the Office ofAdmission.

Test ScoresThe SSAT is our preferred admission test. Visit the website at www.ssat.org to register andsubmit results to St. Margaret’s using the schoolcode 6724. We will also accept the PSAT or SAT.

If English is your second language, register for theTOEFL test at www.ets.org/toefl or take theDuolingo English Test at go.duolingo.com/sms andsubmit results using the school code B525.

Interview

Interviews are conducted on campus, via Skype,oras we travel to your area. Schedule an appointmentto visit St. Margaret’s by calling the Office ofAdmission at 804.443.3357 or sending an email toadmit@sms.org.

Important Dates

February 10 Application due date for a March 10 notification of admission decision.

Please note that later applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Need-based financial aid is available to applicants after the application due date as long as funds are available.

March 10 Decision Notification Day

April 10 Enrollment Contract and deposit due date for those notified by March 10

Check our website for other events such as dates for Open Houses and Accepted Student Overnights.

TUITION ASSISTANCE As a school founded by the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia for “girls of character and ability,” an important part of our mission is to ensure students who meet our admission criteria have access to the educational opportunities we provide. We offer a variety of payment plans, access to loan information, scholarships, and need-based financial aid.

Financial Aid: We partner with School and Student Services (SSS) through the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), which provides financial aid analysis to private and independent schools. Based on financial information submitted by a family, SSS calculates the funds a family should have available for educational expenses. St. Margaret’s uses this information to determine the amount of financial aid that can be offered.

Visit www.solutionsbysss.com/parents and apply for need-based financial aid if you believe you may qualify. Please note that the St. Margaret’s SSS financial aid code is 6724, and applications are due by January 31 of the year for which you are applying if you are seeking a decision on March 10.

Daingerfield Merit Scholarship: Each year, a $5,000 scholarship is awarded to two day students applying to the eighth through tenth grades. The Daingerfield Scholarship is open to day student applicants who live in the Rappahannock River Basin and display a solid academic record, strong character and citizenship, and who will give their talents to the School. Applicants should notify the Office of Admission of their desire to apply and submit two additional letters of recommendation by February 10.

Legacy Scholarship: The Legacy Scholarship honors and shares our traditions by providing grant opportunities to daughters, granddaughters, and nieces of St. Margaret’s alumnae. Legacy Scholarship applicants who demonstrate commitment to growth in every area of their lives have the chance to earn up to a 25 percent renewable discount on tuition. Applicants should submit, in writing, an interest in pursuing the Legacy Scholarship,

“SMS gave me what it takes to stay

in a male-dominated field, computer

science, where only one in three of

my female counterparts remains in the

program in the third year.”Anh | Class of 2015

and include the name of the alumna, class year, and relation to the applicant.

Book Award Scholarship: Qualified boarding applicants in select schools have the opportunity to earn a $10,000 scholarship to attend St. Margaret’s. Contact the Office of Admission to see if your school is included. The deadline for this application is February 10.

All scholarships are renewable annually, as long as the recipient remains in good academic and social standing with the school. Scholarship applicants may also apply for need-based financial aid. Contact the Office of Admission at 804.443.3357 or admit@sms.org for more information.

LOCATION

Our 10-acre waterfront campus on the banks of the Rappahannock River with its 42-acre athletic complex in Tappahannock, Virginia, is centrally located in a small, safe town with lots of charm. St. Margaret’s is within 1–2 hours of Washington, DC, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Charlottesville, Williamsburg, and Virginia Beach.

Richmond

Virginia Beach

Washington D.C.

Williamsburg

St. Margaret's School

Fredericksburg

Charlottesville

P.O. Box 158 444 Water Lane

Tappahannock, VA USA 22560 804.443.3357 | www.sms.org

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