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St. Mary's Academy: St. Mary's Academy in Portland (2014)
Photo: Steve Morgan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Catholic high school

St. Mary's Academy

  • LocationPortland, OR
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 606 students
  • CatholicAbout 30% Catholic

Sponsor: Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary · All-female

Official website

St. Mary's Academy is a Catholic college-preparatory high school for young women in downtown Portland, sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary since 1859. The 2026-27 handbook makes attendance at the monthly all-school Mass mandatory, and optional Masses are celebrated every other week in the school chapel. Each grade from freshman through senior has a retreat offered through Campus Ministry, and students take four years of theology.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of St. Mary's Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miSaint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church: 0.1 mi1Saint André Bessette Catholic Church: 0.8 mi2Saint Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception: 0.9 mi3Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church: 1.3 mi4Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church: 1.4 mi5Saint Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church: 1.6 mi6St. Mary's Academy Campus Ministry and chapel: 0.0 miSt. Mary's Academy (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church — 0.1 mi · 1701 Southwest 4th Avenue, Portland
  2. Saint André Bessette Catholic Church — 0.8 mi · 601 West Burnside Street, Portland
  3. Saint Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — 0.9 mi · 1716 Northwest Davis Street, Portland
  4. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church — 1.3 mi · 4112 Southwest 6th Avenue Drive, Portland
  5. Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church — 1.4 mi · 330 Southeast 12th Avenue, Portland
  6. Saint Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church — 1.6 mi · 1804 Southeast 16th Avenue, Portland

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearMonthly (The liturgies page makes attendance at the monthly Masses mandatory, and the handbook sets all-school Mass days at least once per month.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Liturgies | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/faith-service/liturgies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Attendance at the monthly masses is mandatory and students are expected to dress up for school on those days.”
      Attendance at the monthly Masses is mandatory for students.
    2. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-27 | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/fs/resource-manager/view/c18e27d4-eb6b-4d23-9cb0-bfc0f1e3f320 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All school Mass days (at least one day per month)”
      The handbook sets all-school Mass days at least once per month.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Masses are offered on a published schedule.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Liturgies | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/faith-service/liturgies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Weekly PAC masses are optional Eucharistic celebrations scheduled every other week, staggered between all-school masses throughout the year.”
      Optional Eucharistic celebrations (PAC Masses) are scheduled every other week.
N/ATheology and curriculum: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Theology and curriculum

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (The theology page lists the graduation requirement as 4 years, 8 semester credits, which equals four full years.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/academics/academic-departments/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Graduation Requirements: 4 years, 8 semester credits”
      Theology is a graduation requirement of four years, or 8 semester credits.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
N/ACampus culture: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Campus culture

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Freshman, sophomore, junior and senior retreats are all listed in the 2026-27 handbook. The junior encounters are optional but highly encouraged, and the senior retreat is offered to any senior who wants to take part.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-27 | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/fs/resource-manager/view/c18e27d4-eb6b-4d23-9cb0-bfc0f1e3f320 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Freshman Retreat: This October, the freshman class will participate in retreat”
      The freshman class has a retreat each October.
      “All sophomores are expected to attend and participate.”
      All sophomores are expected to attend the sophomore retreat.
      “Juniors are highly encouraged to participate in one of the encounters.”
      Juniors are highly encouraged to take part in a Junior Encounter retreat.
      “One senior metanoia (retreat) is held each year in May.”
      One senior retreat is held each year in May.
    2. Retreat Programs | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/faith-service/retreat-programs · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our first-year students experience an off-site retreat focused on community”
      Freshmen take part in an off-site retreat.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Campus Ministry lists a Director of Campus Ministry and Service, a Dean of Mission and Charism, and a service coordinator.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-27 | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/fs/resource-manager/view/c18e27d4-eb6b-4d23-9cb0-bfc0f1e3f320 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Maura Timoney-DeVille ’09, Director of Campus Ministry and Service”
      The Director of Campus Ministry and Service is listed among campus ministry staff.
      “Patty Gorman, Dean of Mission and Charism”
      Patty Gorman is the Dean of Mission and Charism.
    2. Faith & Service | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Service Coordinator, Social Sciences Faculty”
      Caitlin Whitty is the service coordinator.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayNot enough information: not found in official sources.
DService and Catholic social teaching: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Service and Catholic social teaching

53 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Required service hoursFewer than 40 hours (Juniors complete a required service experience for course credit. The 160-hour Service Honor Cord is a recognition program, not a graduation requirement.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Service | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “As part of course-credit for junior year, students are asked to complete an experience of service for class.”
      Juniors complete a required service experience for course credit; the hours are not stated.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)No (The school describes its clubs, affinity groups and activities as a current list; no pro-life club or March for Life trip appears on that list or on the other pages reviewed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/student-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Below is a current list of clubs, Affinity Groups, activities, and co-curricular courses offered.”
      The school's clubs and activities list is stated to be current; it includes no pro-life club.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The service page lists a Mexico Border Immersion Trip, Hands Full of Heart days of service, and an Environmental Justice Club.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Service | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/faith-service/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mexico Border Immersion Trip, SNJM Network trip”
      The school runs a Mexico Border Immersion Trip and a SNJM Network trip.
      “twice-a-year class-wide Hands Full of Heart days of service”
      Each class holds two Hands Full of Heart days of service per year.
      “Service Club partners with groups all over the Portland area.”
      The Service Club partners with groups across the Portland area.
    2. Clubs & Activities | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/student-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Environmental Justice Club”
      An Environmental Justice Club is listed among the student-led clubs.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Retreats are offered in every class year, from freshman through senior.
    Sources (1)
    1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-27 | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/fs/resource-manager/view/c18e27d4-eb6b-4d23-9cb0-bfc0f1e3f320 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Freshman Retreat: This October, the freshman class will participate in retreat”
      The freshman class has a retreat each October.
      “All sophomores are expected to attend and participate.”
      All sophomores are expected to attend the sophomore retreat.
      “Juniors are highly encouraged to participate in one of the encounters.”
      Juniors are highly encouraged to take part in a Junior Encounter retreat.
      “One senior metanoia (retreat) is held each year in May.”
      One senior retreat is held each year in May.
  • Students take four years of theology, and monthly Masses are required on all-school days.
    Sources (2)
    1. Theology | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/academics/academic-departments/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Graduation Requirements: 4 years, 8 semester credits”
      Theology is a graduation requirement of four years, or 8 semester credits.
    2. Liturgies | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/faith-service/liturgies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Attendance at the monthly masses is mandatory and students are expected to dress up for school on those days.”
      Attendance at the monthly Masses is mandatory for students.
  • Service includes immersion trips, class-wide service days and a service leadership group.
    Sources (1)
    1. Service | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/faith-service/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mexico Border Immersion Trip, SNJM Network trip”
      The school runs a Mexico Border Immersion Trip and a SNJM Network trip.
      “twice-a-year class-wide Hands Full of Heart days of service”
      Each class holds two Hands Full of Heart days of service per year.
      “Service Club partners with groups all over the Portland area.”
      The Service Club partners with groups across the Portland area.

Concerns

  • The current clubs list includes no pro-life or Catholic student group.
    Sources (1)
    1. Clubs & Activities | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/student-activities · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Below is a current list of clubs, Affinity Groups, activities, and co-curricular courses offered.”
      The school's clubs and activities list is stated to be current; it includes no pro-life club.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

St. Mary's Academy Campus Ministry and chapel

  • Address: 1615 Southwest Fifth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97201
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

Source: stmaryspdx.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, stmaryspdx.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

12 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 3 off campus, 7 location not published

Retreats 4

  • Freshman RetreatOff campus
    October
    Off-site retreat focused on community and the SNJM charism.
    stmaryspdx.org, stmaryspdx.org
  • Junior EncounterOff campus
    Three encounters offered each school year
    Off-site encounter retreat for juniors, encouraged but optional.
    stmaryspdx.org
  • Sophomore RetreatOn campus
    September
    Required sophomore retreat; the 2026-27 handbook places it at the school, while an older retreat page describes an overnight off-campus retreat.
    stmaryspdx.org
  • Senior Metanoia
    May
    Retreat for seniors held once each year in May.
    stmaryspdx.org

Service 5

  • Mexico Border Immersion TripOff campus
    Immersion trip listed on the service page.
    stmaryspdx.org
  • Hands Full of Heart days of service
    Twice a year per class
    Class-wide days of service.
    stmaryspdx.org
  • Service Club
    Club that partners with groups across the Portland area.
    stmaryspdx.org
  • Environmental Justice Club
    Student-led club listed on the clubs page.
    stmaryspdx.org
  • Junior service experience
    Service experience completed for junior-year course credit.
    stmaryspdx.org

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Optional PAC MassesOn campus
    Every other week, staggered between all-school Masses
    Optional Eucharistic celebrations in the school chapel; students may choose silent study hall instead.
    stmaryspdx.org, stmaryspdx.org
  • All-school Masses (monthly)
    At least one day per month, per the 2026-27 handbook
    Mandatory monthly all-school Masses; the handbook asks students to dress up on those days.
    stmaryspdx.org, stmaryspdx.org, stmaryspdx.org

Faith formation 1

  • Ministry Leadership Team (MLT)
    Weekly during Activity Block; semester course
    For-credit co-curricular course in which students plan prayer services, liturgies and other ministry events.
    stmaryspdx.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (4)
  1. Parent/Student Handbook 2026-27 | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/fs/resource-manager/view/c18e27d4-eb6b-4d23-9cb0-bfc0f1e3f320 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Contact: Maura Timoney-Deville ’09, Director of Campus Ministry and Service, maura.timoney@smapdx.org 503-721-7739”
    Maura Timoney-Deville is the Director of Campus Ministry and Service; the handbook gives her email and phone.
  2. Faith & Service | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/faith-service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Service Coordinator, Social Sciences Faculty”
    Caitlin Whitty is the service coordinator.
  3. Liturgies | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/beyond-the-classroom/faith-service/liturgies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The chapel offers an intimate setting for students and faculty to celebrate and pray together.”
    The school has a chapel used for Masses and prayer.
  4. Contact Us | St. Mary's Academystmaryspdx.org/about/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “1615 Southwest Fifth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97201”
    The school's physical address is 1615 Southwest Fifth Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201.

Reach out

Contact details for Maura Timoney-Deville (Director of Campus Ministry and Service) and 3 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
89 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of scoreThis measure counts for 75% of the Academic Excellence score.99%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.12.3 to 1

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed. Federal data on private high schools is limited to these two measures.

Source: NCES Private School Survey (2023–24 school year)

School facts

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseArchdiocese of Portland in Oregon, OR
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)606
Students in grades 9–12606
Coed or single-sexAll-female
Student–teacher ratio12.3 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges99%
SettingCity

Source: NCES Private School Survey 23-24 public-use file (school year 2023–24). The college-going rate and student–teacher ratio feed Academic Excellence; nothing here changes the faith grades.

Local Church

Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon

The Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample, Archbishop of Portland in Oregon

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is St. Mary's Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. St. Mary's Academy is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. Its sponsor is Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.

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