St. Mary's Hall (Texas)

Saint Mary's Hall
Saint Mary's Hall - School Logo
Location
San Antonio, TX USA
Coordinates	29°31′43″N 98°25′36″W / 29.528613°N 98.42659°W / 29.528613; -98.42659Coordinates: 29°31′43″N 98°25′36″W / 29.528613°N 98.42659°W / 29.528613; -98.42659
Information
Type	Private School School Independent Co-educational Non-residential
Motto	Teach Us Delight in Simple Things
Religious affiliation(s)	Founded as Episcopalian, now non-denominational
Established	1879
Head of School	Jonathan Eades
Faculty	98
Age range	3-18
Enrollment	1,000
Student to teacher ratio	1:15
Campus type	Urban
Color(s)	Purple and White
Mascot	Baron
Website	http://www.smhall.org/

Saint Mary's Hall (SMH) is a private, college preparatory school in San Antonio, Texas. Saint Mary’s Hall admits students from Montessori (age 3) to Form 12 (age 18).

The Episcopal Diocese of Texas, under the leadership of several bishops, worked to establish schools at the parish level where the children of South Texas would be able to receive a “higher style of education” with "Godly training." The attempts to establish a school of this sort began as early as 1865 when an Episcopal school was opened. The school took on several names such as Saint Mary’s School for Girls, Saint Mary’s Episcopal School, Saint Mary’s School, and Saint Mary’s Academy Hall. Eventually, the school failed, but it left a strong need for a preparatory school.

The quest to establish that school became very important to Bishop Robert Woodward Barnwell Elliott, the dynamic leader of the Missionary District of Western Texas of the Episcopal Church. In 1879, he led a movement to reestablish the school. His efforts would prove successful, and the school officially became known as Saint Mary’s Hall. The first official home of the school was located in the Wolfe Building at the corner of Navarro and Martin streets in downtown San Antonio, Texas.

The reestablishment of Saint Mary’s Hall in 1879 came at a time when Texas farmers, cattle barons, and traders were prospering and able to support the school. Bishop Elliot capitalized on this and set out to hire a leader that would help turn the school into the best educational option available. He traveled east and began a search for a headmistress. He hired the first headmistress of the school, Miss Phillippa Stevenson (a graduate of a school in New Jersey also named Saint Mary’s Hall). She served as headmistress of Saint Mary’s Hall in Texas for a decade. By 1889, the school had an enrollment of 105 students.

Due to the decline of the facilities and the growth of the downtown area, the school’s new leader, Bishop William Theodotus Capers decided to move the school to a home in the Laurel Heights neighborhood on the corner of San Pedro and Woodlawn. The home was leased from Mr. D.J. Woodward and was later purchased by the school. Bishop Capers chose the property because of its “beautiful situation and dignity.” He wanted to create an environment for Saint Mary’s Hall students that was “attractive and inspiring.”