All-girls college preparatory high school announces new leadership for its 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years
“We are delighted to share that Carol Killebrew will assume the role of Saint Mary’s interim head of school for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years.”
Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Saint Mary's School
Raleigh, N.C., March 12, 2021 – Saint Mary’s School announces current Assistant Head of School Carol Killebrew has accepted an offer extended by the Board of Trustees to serve as interim head of school, effective July 1, 2021. The announcement came during celebrations of Women’s History Month and further demonstrates the school’s mission to prepare girls for college and life with its core values of excellence in teaching; personal achievement in mind, body, and spirit; honor; community; and heritage.
“We are delighted to share that Carol Killebrew will assume the role of Saint Mary’s interim head of school for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years,” says Dee Williamson Marley ’77HS, chair of the Board of Trustees. “As an all-girls college preparatory high school, naming a female head during Women’s History Month has deep meaning for our alumnae and students. As we continue preparations for our upcoming 180th academic year, Carol’s announcement is being met with great enthusiasm from students, alumnae, parents, and donors alike, and we feel privileged to welcome a strong, professional woman leader, teacher, and mentor into this interim role.”
Brendan O’Shea, current Head of School for Saint Mary’s, shared news of the end of his tenure, effective June 30, 2021, after serving the all-girls school since 2017.
“As Saint Mary’s began to focus on its boarding program, it became evident the Board of Trustees needed a head of school whose primary and permanent residence is on the 900 Hillsborough Street campus,” O’Shea says. “After a mutual agreement and the ability to have Carol transition into the role of interim head of school, we felt confident leaving Saint Mary’s in very capable hands. In fact, she brings more than 35 years of all-girls education experience, and six years as a head of school, making it a natural fit. Saint Mary’s is a special place, full of energy and life because of the more than 300 amazing young women who live, learn, and grow here. Naming Carol as interim head of school allows our girls to see themselves in her and to see themselves as future leaders. And, announcing this news during Women’s History Month provides a nice backdrop for this special news.”
A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Killebrew was hired in 2020 as Saint Mary’s assistant head of school after serving as head of school at Salem Academy (2018-2020) and The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, New York (2014-2018). Killebrew also served her alma mater, Girls Preparatory School (GPS), a renowned day school in Chattanooga for girls in grades 6-12, in a variety of capacities for 28 years (1986-2014).
“I came to Saint Mary’s because I am a product of an independent, single-gender, college preparatory school,” says Killebrew. “I firmly believe it is essential to educate every girl so that she is not only college-ready but also career-ready. So, I am thrilled to take on the role of interim head of school for Saint Mary’s. As a former head of school, I know the significance of this responsibility, and I’m confident that together we can continue to grow Saint Mary’s in this world of all-girls schools, where we have really found our place – and where we daily demonstrate our expertise and live our mission. Thus, it is with heartfelt gratitude that I embrace the challenge of leading such a fantastic school like Saint Mary’s.”
After earning her undergraduate degree from The University of the South, Sewanee, Killebrew was named a Fulbright Scholar in 1996, earned her M.A. in English from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1997, and was named a National Endowment of the Humanities Fellow in 1999.
Since joining Saint Mary’s, Ms. Killebrew took on the leadership role for the school’s efforts around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), clearly articulating the importance of these initiatives and weaving existing programs with new ideas to create a comprehensive program celebrating Saint Mary’s diverse community.
“Saint Mary’s is operating from a position of strength – an ideal situation for independent schools,” Killebrew says. “I look forward to partnering with our alumnae, parents, donors, students, and community partners to build on our success and leverage the expertise and experience of our wonderful faculty and staff as we continue to grow.”
Unlike many U.S. boarding schools whose enrollments have decreased significantly in recent years, Saint Mary’s enrollment has remained consistent. Recently, the school has grown its enrollment to record numbers. Additionally, following protocols suggested by the CDC and state agencies has enabled Saint Mary’s to successfully continue in-person operations throughout the 2020-21 academic year, providing the best teaching and learning atmosphere for its students and faculty.
“Four years ago, when I assumed the role of head of school, I shared that Saint Mary’s is uniquely positioned to champion the strengths and advantages of an all-girls educational experience,” O’Shea says. “Though my tenure at Saint Mary’s is ending, I continue to believe that as one of the oldest Episcopal boarding and day schools in the country, Saint Mary’s provides the best possible educational and character-forming experience for girls. I am honored to have been able to serve the Saint Mary’s community, and with the help of our amazing team, advance the school. I will miss this beautiful campus, our students, alumnae, parents, and friends. I look forward to watching the school continue to grow and succeed under Carol’s leadership.”
Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees will begin the search for its next head of school during Ms. Killebrew’s second term in the 2022-23 academic year.
Click here for the video message from Mr. O'Shea and Ms. Killebrew.
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About Saint Mary’s School: Saint Mary's School in Raleigh, North Carolina, is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory, boarding and day school dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement for girls in grades 9-12. Founded in 1842, the historic, residential 23-acre campus is located in the heart of North Carolina's capital city of Raleigh. With a mission to prepare girls for college and life, Saint Mary’s immerses girls in a dynamic learning environment offering both hands-on classroom learning and opportunities for real-world experiences. Graduates leave Saint Mary’s prepared to flourish in college, continue a path of servant leadership, take on future challenges, and lead with purpose. Saint Mary's School inspires girls to step outside their comfort zones, engage their minds, amplify their voices, and discover who they are and who they want to become. For more information, visit www.sms.edu.
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