100%
for Girls
100%
for Girls
At St. Catherine’s School,
we are girl centered.
Every teacher, every lesson plan and every resource dollar aligns with the ways girls learn best. We intentionally foster a culture of confidence that allows each girl to emerge as a strong, smart and confident woman.
Lower School Age 3-Grade 4
Girls need to know “why,�
and they possess a natural inclination for purpose in everything they do. We teach them to think differently and to creatively explore and experiment before developing a concrete plan.
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surprising skills every girl gains in our Lower School
World Languages and Culture
Research Aptitude
The verbal side of the brain develops faster in girls, resulting in a propensity toward reading and languages. By teaching both Mandarin Chinese and Spanish beginning at age 3, girls expand their understanding of different cultures while making global connections.
A strong foundation in reading and writing allows girls to dive deeply into subjects by conducting research beginning at age 3 that accelerates to a capstone project in grade 4.
Critical Thinking Girls develop a solid foundation in number sense and problem solving in preparation for algebraic thinking. Through Singapore Math, girls learn different processes for solving a problem and articulating the solution.
Engineering The intentional integration of building activities throughout the Lower School years introduces girls to the basics of engineering. Division-wide Innovation Days teach girls design thinking and creative problem solving.
Coding Girls start learning the basics of coding, using littleBits and Scratch as tools to gain proficiency in an area in which girls are underrepresented nationally.
Public Speaking Girls gain confidence through ageappropriate speaking opportunities. They start as classroom ambassadors in junior kindergarten (JK), and progress to speaking in front of the entire student body as fourth graders.
Ethical Leadership The Lower School Virtues Program provides a moral compass to guide the girls in every facet of their daily lives. They embrace empathy as they build leadership skills.
Middle School Grades 5-8
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discoveries made in our Middle School
Skills for Academic Success The Study Skills class in fifth grade helps girls identify and apply their personal learning style. The Thinking Skills class in sixth grade expands girls’ analytical thinking. Creative Computing as well as Latin classes give girls a leg up for success in Upper School and beyond.
Global Mindedness Girls learn to map the entire world from memory. Their studies come alive with a trip to the U.N. Headquarters and Ellis Island in NYC. Eighth grade girls have an opportunity to study and serve in the Dominican Republic.
The Middle School community creates a safe environment
where girls build confidence instead of losing it. Each girl learns to recognize her own uniqueness and to value differences in others. Girls leave eighth grade well prepared to take their place as intelligent young women in the Upper School.
Digital Citizenship Expert teachers help the girls navigate the digital world with classes that emphasize safety and responsibility. The girls explore how to create and to maintain a positive digital footprint that will serve them well in the years ahead.
Self-Awareness Every girl showcases her increasing confidence, unique strengths and academic goals during conferences with her parents and advisor. Girlcentered personal growth classes address nutrition, body image, self defense, and drug and alcohol awareness.
Connectedness Girls in grades 5-8 come together in our Strong Circles program to explore themes of honor, friendship, inclusion and service. They work on special projects throughout the year in which each girl’s voice is heard and celebrated.
Upper School Grades 9-12
It all comes together in the Upper School.
Our rigorous academic program is distinguished by its breadth of offerings that allow students to expand their interests and passions. Girls demonstrate independence and responsibility as they acquire skills needed for college and life.
The Interdisciplinary Project in English and History is completed by
all juniors, combining the two subjects with critical skills of research, writing and public speaking into one large-scale project.
Our Intensive Studies Program
permits girls to create personalized, multi-year coursework, research and service learning in entrepreneurship, global studies, STEM or the arts. Their efforts culminate with a capstone project such as working with businesses in China, programming and designing interactive video games, or studying the complex mathematics of a spider web.
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Independent Research allows girls
to conduct college-level projects such as harnessing the wind energy from industrial air conditioning units, discovering the effects of biodegradable soap on the freshwater environment, or using 3D printing to build mold-inhibiting food containers.
impressive academic opportunities in Upper School X-Term is a unique
yearlong cohort with St. Christopher’s School. Students select topics that range from a study of jazz in New Orleans, to a cultural exchange in Costa Rica, to community service at Boaz & Ruth.
The Internship Program
presents a chance for girls to experience potential careers by working with professionals at places such as VCU Medical Center, Richmond Magazine and CapTech.
Honors Level Computer Science Classes introduce girls to the world of
computer science and coding through research, design, collaboration and development in order to design systems to meet relevant needs.
Our Brother School
The Coordinate Program with our brother school, St. Christopher’s, allows girls
and boys to benefit from faculty, classes, resources, facilities and events at both schools, while preserving meaningful leadership opportunities and traditions just for girls at St. Catherine’s.
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ways we share with St. Christopher’s • JK-grade 8 academic projects • 300+ Upper School classes • Special chapel services • Music and Theatre program • Nationally-recognized speakers • Service and travel opportunities • Socials and school dances • Indoor pool and track facilities • Parent Enrichment Series • Saints networking activities
Two schools, working together for your family: School schedules that accommodate carpool routines and school holiday breaks After-school care for girls and boys JK–grade 8 called “Extended Day” Sibling Shuttle offers one drop-off in the mornings
Our Faculty
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points of pride about our faculty
Our faculty are experts in girls’ education. Teachers at
St. Catherine’s study the latest research in brain development to incorporate the best methods for teaching girls. They care deeply about each girl, challenging her to reach her full potential. “I love the sheer joy in learning and insatiable curiosity girls possess. If you allow them to have ownership of their learning, they just soar. There’s no better feeling than watching that happen to young minds.” — Annie Kapetanis, Ed.D., Director of Lower School
Highest Levels of Education Our Head of School and and members of the leardership team hold doctorate degrees. In addition, many of our diverse faculty and staff also hold masters and doctorate degrees.
Recognized Experts National and regional organizations frequently request St. Catherine’s faculty and staff to present at conferences and meetings around the world.
Girl-Centered Training All new faculty members complete professional training specifically focused on teaching girls.
Skilled Professionals Teachers at St. Catherine’s continue to cultivate their talents — science teachers patent their research, English teachers write for publications, music instructors perform in professional symphonies overseas and P.E. teachers compete on national and international athletic teams.
Lifetime Learners Our teachers learn with and from each other, sharing best practices at campus-wide and cross-divisional meetings. A generous professional development program provides global experiences, technology workshops and school-sponsored summer grants.
Community
We are an embracing community of students, parents, faculty, staff, alumnae and friends dedicated to girls’ education and guided by our honor code.
At St. Catherine’s, every girl is respected and celebrated. Together, we are developing the next generation of creative, courageous and competent leaders.
Spiritual Life We value each girl’s spiritual journey, and we make time for prayer,
reflection and matters of the heart. Our Episcopal identity guides us to embrace all faith traditions. Chapel speakers of all ages and walks of life are invited to share their experiences in relatable ways. Spiritual life is at the core of our School community.
The Arts
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Portfolio Development Artists develop portfolios and gain acceptance to top art schools including NYU, Parsons, RISD, SCAD and VCU.
unique ways the arts come alive
Creative Expression Creative writing pieces, penned by students, win national awards while our Poetry Out Loud winners advance to the regional and national level.
Technical Theatre Program Unique opportunities exist for girls to develop skills in set design, lighting, sound, stage make up and costume design.
Arts Outreach Students engage in service through our partnerships with SPARC-Live Art, VMFA, St. Andrew’s School, Bellevue Elementary School, Art 180 and the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.
Music Arrangement and Composition Students learn to arrange and compose music and then perform pieces that delight audiences on and off campus.
Choreography Accomplished Faculty Arts instructors are professionals in their disciplines as they perform with orchestras in China, showcase artwork at top galleries and dance with professional companies.
Girls begin learning fundamentals of choreography in JK and continue through senior recital.
We believe that creativity is an essential skill that begins with an idea and takes
shape through contemplation, discipline and perseverance. Our vibrant arts program provides each girl with many opportunities to explore, innovate and lead. Visiting Professionals Guest directors expose students to multiple theatre styles and theories, professional dancers lead master classes and professional artists exhibit on campus.
Choirs and Instrumental Ensembles Award-winning groups in all three divisions travel domestically and abroad to perform and engage in experiential music education.
Athletics
100%
for Girls All athletic resources and sports offerings are dedicated to girls.
The results speak loudly. Teams win titles, coaches receive top awards and scholar athletes earn All-American and State Player of the Year honors. Colleges actively recruit our athletes to compete at all levels, including Division I. One Day. Two Teams. Two Titles. Saints lacrosse and soccer teams captured LIS titles within minutes of each other on adjacent fields. Less than 24 hours later, track and field won another LIS title.
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things you might not know about Saints Athletics Winningest athletic program
in the league over the past five years
different sports create 700+ opportunities for girls to compete in athletics
80 coaches boast a range of experience including competing on national, international and professional levels, as well as coaching college, national and international teams
Athletic Director inducted into five Hall of Fames, including National Lacrosse Hall of Fame
72,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art Kenny Sports and Fitness Center on our campus
includes an eight-lane competitive aquatics facility with diving platforms; 145 acres in Goochland County support soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, softball and outdoor education
Sports performance training and strength and conditioning offered to Saints athletes of girls in grades 7-12 compete in athletics
Varsity Captains’ Leadership Training Program prepares Saints athletes to lead
Service Learning
The School Motto,
“What we keep we lose; only what we give remains our own,” represents more than a collection of words — it’s a way of life at St. Catherine’s. At every age, our girls find joy in serving others. They generate ideas, plan every detail, promote their cause and make it happen.
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examples of Saints living the School Motto International Partnership
Lower School girls engage in a partnership with Kopila Valley School in Nepal. The girls raised more than $10,000 to build a bridge to connect Kopila Valley Schools’ two campuses and sponsor several girls to attend the school. Girls regularly Skype with the Nepalese students and teachers.
Student-Led Service SOCKS (Serving Our Community Kids’ Style) is a Middle School community service group. Girls investigate issues affecting the School, the Richmond area, the nation and the world. Students engage in projects that directly benefit others.
Creative Nonprofit Julia Warren ’14 founded “celebrate! RVA” during her senior year at St. Catherine’s. Her nonprofit continues to provide birthday parties for underserved children in Richmond and Washington, D.C., touching the lives of thousands of children.
Students dedicate more than
10,000
hours of service each year
Alumnae St. Catherine’s boasts an extensive global network
of more than 5,000 alumnae. These women represent all decades, professions and areas of the world. Today this vast network provides a link to future success for current students and fellow alumnae — it’s like having 5,000 sisters ready to help at any moment.
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alumnae doing cool things Division I College Coach Peel Hawthorne ’75, former William & Mary field hockey coach, now senior athletic administrator; just the 13th coach in Division I history to surpass 300 wins
Ivy League Dean Dr. Indy Burke ’76, Dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Sciences and the first female dean in the school’s history
First Female NASCAR Engineer
Cancer Researcher
Margaret Rheutan Lindhjem ’95, at age 26, was the first female race engineer in NASCAR Winston Cup history
Dr. Lucy Anderson ’60, retired researcher with The National Cancer Institute; continues to publish papers and conducts research
NASA Scientist
Dr. Kimberly Lichtenberg ’94, NASA scientist and engineer working on the Mars Rover missions
“St. Catherine’s gave me the background I needed to pursue an engineering degree when the engineering program at UVA had a 25%/75% female-to-male student ratio. I watched a number of students transfer out because it was too hard; I thought, “Too hard? This is normal!”
Advocate for Children Yiota Souras ’88, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
TV Host Darley Newman ’97, Emmy Award-winning author, host, writer and producer of Equitrekking on PBS
Creative Director and Illustrator CEO & President Talbott Hoskins Roche ’84, CEO and President, Blackhawk Network, a leading global prepaid gift cards company
Emmy Award Winner Garland Peete Simon ’73, 10-time Emmy Award winning executive and entrepreneur working for companies such as USA Network and ABC Sports
Sara Blake ’03, clients include Nike, Ford and Marvel Entertainment
Shrek’s Attorney Monique Cheng Joe ’90, Head of Trademarks at DreamWorks Animation, oversees a variety of intellectual property issues, including Shrek
Nothing excites us more than meeting new amazing girls, and we can’t wait to
begin building a relationship with your family. Call 804.281.7140 to schedule your personal tour
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ways to learn more
Visit our campus Read about our programs at www.st.catherines.org Follow us on www.facebook.com/StCatherines Apply online at www.st.catherines.org/apply
St. Catherine’s admits students without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, the privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to the students of the School.