On behalf of our Admissions Team, welcome and thank you for your interest in St. Mary’s Academy!
At SMA, we shape young women of faith, heart, excellence, courage, and valor. We cultivate the achievements and grow the futures of every young woman who walks through our doors, allowing her opportunities to discover her path and passion. Our students are encouraged to serve as models for others; actively work to foster solidarity, unity, and sisterhood; seek opportunities to be challenged and take risks in the active pursuit of learning; choose integrity regardless of personal consequence; and possess a continual joy of spirit.
Be you. Belong. Be a Belle! Michele White Director of Admissions mwhite@najwc.com
Why SMA?
Founded in 1889 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and being the oldest continuously operating Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, St. Mary's Academy has a long and rich history of academic excellence, sisterhood, and service to the "dear neighbor." We are committed to encouraging each young woman to find her voice, develop her talents, and pursue her educational goals with determination - preparing her for college and beyond. At St. Mary's Academy (SMA), students have every opportunity to pursue something new and become their best selves.
Together with our families, the administration, faculty and staff are committed to forming a Christian community that nurtures and challenges each young woman to attain her full potential. This effort is consistently characterized by respect for the individual, service to the "dear neighbor," academic excellence, preparation for higher education, and the empowerment of young women who are inspired to take their places in an ever-changing world. At SMA, the powers of integrity, leadership, and service create enthusiastic learning and success in high school and beyond.
Our Additional unique features of the SMA curriculum that offer specially designed courses, experiential learning, and mentorship within the Arts, Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, and Service.
Our counselors provide highly individualized support to help match each student to her best-fit college or university where she will thrive both personally and academically.
SMA has eight different athletic teams solely focused on empowerment, development, and competition that provide students the opportunity to train, compete, and build life-long bonds.
Engage in multiple ways of learning, complex problem solving, and creative collaboration using cutting-edge equipment and technology such as 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, and so much more to bring ideas from sketches to real-life.
On-site at SMA, the Onward Scholars Program (OSP) is acompetitive four-year student success program for selected high school students with strong academic and leadership backgrounds that offers a 75% scholarship, mentoring, and college prep support.
Cultivate leadership and build interpersonal skills by joining one of our many campus organizations and student clubs, such as Student Leadership Council, Model UN, Campus Ministry, Women In Math and Science (WIMS), Debate Club, Belles Competitive Math Club (BCMC), Anime Club, Black Student Union, La Casa Latina, Robotics, Book Club, Wildlife Conservation Club, and many other service-oriented clubs.
