St. Mary’s Academy

Mission statement

St. Mary’s Academy, a Catholic, private, college preparatory high school for young women, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, shapes women of distinction who are committed to lifelong learning and service to the “dear neighbor”.

Our history

St. Mary’s Academy is the oldest continuously operating Catholic high school for young women in the Los Angeles area. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ), SMA carries forward the mission of the Sisters, who since their founding in 17th-century France have been dedicated to education, empowerment, and service to “the dear neighbor.”

The school was established in 1889 in downtown Los Angeles, providing young women with an exceptional academic, and college-preparatory education grounded in faith and moral formation. As enrollment grew, the Academy expanded its facilities and programs, earning a reputation for excellence and leadership in girls’ education. In 1966, St. Mary’s Academy relocated to its current Inglewood campus, a more modern environment that continues to foster academic achievement, artistic expression, and athletic excellence.

Over the years, the campus has grown to include innovation and science laboratories, technology centers, and athletic facilities, while preserving the legacy of St. Mary’s Academy’s signature traditions. Students, known as the Belles, benefit from a rigorous curriculum centered around five academic Pathways enriched by leadership programs,service opportunities, extracurricular activities, and clubs that encourage personal growth and community engagement.

For more than 135 years, St. Mary’s Academy has remained faithful to the vision and values of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet—developing women of faith, excellence, and service who go on to make a lasting difference in the world.

Leadership