Saint Mary's School

A Father's Role in Empowering their Daughters

Fathers are highly influential in shaping their daughters’ perspectives on how women should be treated and what they are capable of in their own lives. Without even realizing it, a father can instill male-centric values in his daughter through behaviors that may have been considered completely normal in the past. In order to raise your daughter with positive values and a strong sense of empowerment, utilize these techniques in your parenting:

• Speak out against the objectification of women: Women are sexualized in pop culture, advertising and even in traditions like crowning prom queens. From a young age, women are encouraged to take pride in their looks, as they may receive compliments on how pretty they are or what they are wearing. As a father, you can help your daughter better appreciate her non-physical characteristics by responding to such sentiments with “Thank you, and she is smart too.”

• Remove ideas of gender stereotypes from your home: Avoid the notion that men are unemotional by showing your daughter that you can express your feelings in a healthy way. Teach her language that allows her to express herself in this way so that she grows up knowing how to communicate her feelings clearly and rationally.

• Avoid overprotective behaviors: As a father, it can be difficult to let your daughter go into the world, and it may be tempting to exhibit the overprotectiveness of the typical father seen in movies and television. Behaving in this way might project feelings of weakness and fragility onto your daughter, which can prevent her from realizing her full potential. When you show that you are confident in your daughter’s strength and intelligence, she will seek more positive male relationships in her adult life.

Support the lessons of empowerment that you teach your daughter at home by providing her with an all-girls education at Saint Mary’s School. We are an independent school in Raleigh focused on high academic standards and personal growth for our students in grades nine through 12. Learn more about us on our website or by calling 919-794-3876. 

Encouraging Women to Become Part of the Computer Science Field

The field of computer science is one with exciting and rewarding new job opportunities, yet many women are not taking advantage of the rising demand for individuals with an education in technology and computers. As this New York Times article explains, the number of women majoring in computer science has declined in spite of the ongoing importance of this field. 

One woman, Dr. Maria Klawe, is working to change this as president of Harvey Mudd College. Since taking this position in 2006, she has worked to encourage more women to become a part of the computer science major by debunking some of the common stereotypes associated with it. As more women are seeing the benefits of studying computer science, the field is becoming more appealing for young women to enter.

If you are interested in a technology-focused education for your daughter, visit Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh. Our ninth through 12th grade curriculum incorporates technology in many ways, introducing and encouraging students to explore careers and opportunities in the field. Learn more about us on our website or by calling 919-794-3876. 

What It Means to Raise a Powerful Girl

Whether you are a mother or a father, raising a daughter poses a unique yet rewarding challenge. You likely want to help your daughter grow up feeling empowered. By helping your daughter grow up with a strong sense of confidence in herself, you can give her the ability to make positive choices when interacting with people and the environment around her. Below are some ways in which you can accomplish this as your daughter grows from a child to a woman:

• Encourage strong communication: Help your daughter express herself clearly by asking her to talk through her feelings when she is frustrated or sad. Tell her to use detailed examples of why she is upset, and work with her to come up with constructive solutions. As she grows older, let her work out problems and make decisions on her own using the skills she built by working cooperatively with you.

• Provide support for the pursuit of her talents: Urge your daughter to purse her passion, whether it be in sports, music or art. Offer your daughter the opportunity to discover her talents and cultivate them. This will lead to a stronger sense of self for your daughter along with greater self-esteem.

• Promote team building: Teamwork should be encouraged among girls, therefore urge your daughter to partake in team building activities. This teaches young girls how to problem solve when challenges arise and infuses them with a sense of accomplishment.  

Help your daughter continue her development into a powerful young woman by looking into an education with Saint Mary’s School. We are a private, all-girls school in Raleigh helping girls find what they love through superior academics and extracurricular activities. Contact us via our website, or call 919-794-3876, to learn more about that we can offer your daughter. 

Take a Look at Private Education Possibilities

An independent prep school experience offers many opportunities and benefits in addition to a valuable, well-rounded and challenging education. Call Saint Mary’s School at 919-794-3876 or visit these helpful websites to learn more:

• This page from the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools offers a look at the benefits of a private girls’ school education

• Saint Mary’s School is part of the National Association of Episcopal Schools, which provides an explanation of the mission and philosophy that guide member Episcopal schools.

• Check out The Association of Boarding Schools’ profile on Saint Mary’s School on their informative website.

A Look at Life at Saint Mary's School

It is important for girls to develop valuable skills and habits early in life in order to prepare for their future. If you’re looking for a prep school that fosters this development alongside excellent academic preparation, be sure to visit Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh. We provide top-notch faculty, a challenging academic curriculum and a positive community for girls ready to call our beautiful Raleigh campus home. Here is a look at some of the activities and programs that Saint Mary’s School has to offer:

Activities

• Clubs and Organizations: Whether your student is interested in politics, fine arts, the environment, literature or languages, there is a club or organization at Saint Mary’s where she can explore her talents and develop leadership skills.

• Community Service: Saint Mary’s School strives to instill in students a commitment to use the gifts and privileges they have been given to help others. It is our belief that this commitment will enrich the lives of those our students serve, as well as their own lives. We motivate students to give back to their community by showing them fun, rewarding and impactful ways to do so.

Daily Life

• Chapel Program: Saint Mary’s chapel, a National Historic Site, is the center of the school’s spiritual life and community and the chief symbol of Saint Mary’s Episcopal Heritage  . Students and faculty gather here to sing, pray and reflect with the entire school community twice each week.

• Dining Hall: Our homey dining hall serves as a place for our entire community to come together and enjoy the delicious meals provided three times a day.

• Health and Wellness: As a girls school dedicated to preparing young women for all facets of adulthood, we strongly believe in the importance educating our students about lifelong healthy habits. Two full-time residential nurses work to ensure our students’ medical needs are met and our counselors are available anytime students need support or advice.

• Residential Life: Our residential program offers boarding students a home away from home in a supervised, close-knit atmosphere. Living on campus, students take increasing responsibility for their personal, academic and social lives under the nurturing guidance of 36 faculty and staff members who also make their homes on campus.  

Opportunities

• Leadership: Our independent school in Raleigh offers extensive opportunities for students to step into leadership roles. Faculty and staff provide student leaders with ongoing training and support in active leadership, employing them with specific skills that can be identified, taught, learned and practiced as they serve in leadership positions throughout college and life.

• Academics: Saint Mary’s independent school challenges students to question, debate, probe and defend by examining ideas with a fresh perspective and well-rounded knowledge. Learn more about our academic philosophy and curriculum.

If you’re interested in what a private, all-girls prep school education can offer your child, call Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh today at 919-794-3876.