Very Good
#71 of 404 private schools in NC
Top 17% of private schools
Saint Mary's School
High School
900 HILLSBOROUGH ST, Raleigh, NC 27603
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 99 schools in Raleigh. Learn more
Enrollment
296
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
296
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Raleigh
#8 of 30
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#7 of 33
About Saint Mary's School
Saint Mary's School stands as one of North Carolina's premier public high schools, serving 296 students in grades 9-12 with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. Located on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, this regular public school ranks #10 out of 404 high schools statewide, placing it in the 98th percentile for academic excellence. The school maintains an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1 with 31 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive personalized attention typically found in much smaller schools.
This low ratio allows for meaningful relationships between educators and students, fostering both academic achievement and personal growth. Saint Mary's serves students from a well-educated community where 48% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 27603 ZIP code reflects a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class area with a median household income of $84,569 and median home values of $313,200.
Despite the area's overall prosperity, the community maintains economic diversity with a 12.3% poverty rate. Situated in the heart of Raleigh, Saint Mary's School benefits from the resources and opportunities available in North Carolina's vibrant capital city, providing students access to cultural institutions, internships, and educational partnerships that enhance their high school experience.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Saint Mary's School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Saint Mary's School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $70,443
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $67,285
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 0.96x — Tight
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 74%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $90.3M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 296 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Saint Mary's School compares to 19 public schools serving similar grades in Raleigh, NC
Student Demographics
Nearby High Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Saint Mary's School (this school) | 7.4 |
| Gov. Morehead School f/t Blind | 9.2 |
| Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy | 7.0 |
| Needham Broughton High | 5.3 |
| Raleigh Charter High School | 7.1 |
| Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy | 8.6 |
| Phillips High | 5.8 |
| Vernon Malone College and Career Academy | 8.1 |
| Longview | — |
| Central Wake High School | 5.2 |
| Enloe High | 5.6 |
| Longleaf School of the Arts | 5.7 |
| Athens Drive High | 5.4 |
| Southeast Raleigh High | 5.3 |
| Wake Early College of Health and Science | 4.5 |
| Sanderson High | 4.1 |
| Millbrook High | 5.5 |
| Leesville Road High | 5.4 |
| Wakefield High | 5.3 |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston | — |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NC.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in NC
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
900 HILLSBOROUGH ST, Raleigh, NC 27603
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Saint Mary's School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy (rated 8.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vernon Malone College and Career Academy (rated 8.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Raleigh Charter High School (rated 7.1/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Raleigh, see our Raleigh schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wiley Elementary Raleigh | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Needham Broughton High Raleigh | 0.5 mi | 5.3 |
| The Exploris School Raleigh | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Gov. Morehead School f/t Blind Raleigh | 0.5 mi | 9.2 |
| Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy Raleigh | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Partnership Elementary Raleigh | 0.6 mi | 9.3 |
| CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Raleigh | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Raleigh Charter High School Raleigh | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Washington Elementary Raleigh | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Moore Square Middle Raleigh | 1.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Underwood Elementary Raleigh | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy Raleigh | 1.3 mi | 8.6 |
| DYNAMIC OPPORTUNITIES Raleigh | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Olds Elementary Raleigh | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Ligon Middle Raleigh | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Hunter Elementary Raleigh | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Oberlin Middle Raleigh | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Raleigh | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Carnage Middle Raleigh | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Conn Elementary Raleigh | 1.9 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27603 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$87,939
Median Home Value
$347,000
Median Rent
$1,496/mo
Population
53,835
College Educated
48.1%
Homeownership
60.9%
Avg Commute
27.7 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
34.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Saint Mary's School has a median household income of $87,939. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $347,000, with a median rent of $1,496/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Agriculture and Science Early College Olin, NC | 7.4 |
| Anson Co. Early College High Polkton, NC | 7.4 |
| CHRIST SCHOOL Arden, NC | 7.4 |
| Vance Co Early College Henderson, NC | 7.4 |
| Massey Hill Classical High Fayetteville, NC | 7.5 |
| Merancas Middle College-CPCC Huntersville, NC | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Saint Mary's School
What grades does Saint Mary's School serve?
Saint Mary's School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Saint Mary's School?
Saint Mary's School has an enrollment of approximately 296 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Saint Mary's School?
The student-teacher ratio at Saint Mary's School is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Saint Mary's School rank in NC?
Saint Mary's School is ranked #71 out of 404 private schools in NC.
What is Saint Mary's School's MySchoolScout rating?
Saint Mary's School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Saint Mary's School a private school?
Yes, Saint Mary's School is a private all-girls school with a Episcopal affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Saint Mary's School a religious school?
Saint Mary's School has a Episcopal religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 80 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 61 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 81 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,315/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Raleigh). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 296
- Gender Split
- 0% M / 100% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- all-girls
- Affiliation
- Episcopal
- School Day
- 8.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 169 days
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- WAKE
- Phone
- (919) 424-4100
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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