Adam Holden, Head of School, Saint Mary’s School

Invest: sat down with Adam Holden, head of school at Saint Mary’s School, to discuss how independent schools are balancing tradition with innovation, and how Saint Mary’s is preparing students for a global, tech-forward future. “New and innovative programs don’t threaten identity, because we know exactly who we are,” Holden said.

What changes in the independent school landscape are most shaping leadership and strategy across the sector right now, and how is that impacting Saint Mary’s School?

Education changes steadily, so schools have to stay agile in their responses. For us, that starts with curriculum. Saint Mary’s is 184 years old, and elements of our mission have been in place for decades. The work is balancing the best of what the school stands for with the ability to innovate and be creative.

In an all-girls environment, we have to be mindful about preparing curriculum options that will serve students well as the world changes. Some of the most visible developments are in STEM, and increasingly that includes areas like computer science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, which were not as central to K-12 education 10 years ago as they are now.

We also remain deeply committed to strong foundations in the disciplines families expect, including traditional mathematics, science, English, and world languages. The goal is not to chase trends, but to ensure our students have rigorous fundamentals while also having access to forward-looking opportunities that open doors. That requires thoughtful planning around curriculum, learning spaces, and the resources needed to deliver that education at a high level.

How are families and students rethinking the value proposition of independent schools in today’s market, and how do you make that case at Saint Mary’s?

Independent schools have to be clear about their value proposition because families are making a significant investment. Parents want to understand what differences that investment will make and why it is worthwhile, particularly in a market like ours where families can choose from several strong independent schools and also many outstanding public options.

Saint Mary’s has a distinct value proposition because we are a boarding school. Our day does not end at 4 p.m. In many ways, we are only halfway through the day at that point, and that changes what families expect and what we are responsible for delivering. We are not only educating students academically. We are also helping young women develop values-based character, confidence, and the ability to advocate for themselves, all within a safe and supportive environment.

Because of the nature of our school, we also serve students with different goals and pathways. The experience a local day student from Raleigh is looking for may be different from what an international student from Brazil or Japan needs, particularly if they plan to pursue university on a different continent. Our job is to ensure our education program spans those pathways with real depth, so each student can maximize her opportunities moving forward.

What does it take to deliver a comprehensive boarding school experience that goes beyond academics?

Boarding requires a broader definition of education. We have a dedicated team focused on academics, of course, but we also have student life resources that operate on a 24/7 basis. That includes nursing and wellness support, mental health resources, athletics support, and the community structures that help students thrive.

We also put a significant emphasis on leadership programs and other experiences that shape students in ways that are not strictly academic, but are essential. Students learn leadership by doing it, not just by hearing about it, and that includes opportunities to take responsibility, collaborate, and practice self-determination in the daily rhythm of campus life.

We also take advantage of the opportunities that exist in the region. In a boarding environment, we can create structured experiences that connect students to the broader community, whether that is arts and culture, athletics, service, or activities that help students build confidence and independence. Those experiences become part of how students develop alongside their academic work.

Saint Mary’s offers a wide range of extracurriculars and enrichment. What stands out about how you approach those programs?

We are fortunate to offer an abundance of opportunities across a range of areas. In the visual and performing arts, we have strong programs in choral and instrumental music, theater and drama, and dance. One element that stands out is the extent to which students can participate in all aspects of production, including stage crew, set building, lighting, and sound. That blend of creative and technical work gives students meaningful ways to contribute and develop skills they may not have access to in a different setting.

Athletically, we run three full seasons and offer a variety of team sports, while also supporting individual pursuits. We have an equestrian program through a partnership with a local barn, which is a great example of how we use regional resources to expand student opportunities.

We also have a partnership with the North Carolina Courage, the professional women’s soccer team, and we serve as the academic partners for that program. We have students on campus who are elite athletes, including international athletes at their age level. Because we are a boarding school, we can flex schedules in ways that a traditional day model often cannot, ensuring students can train while still maintaining academic rigor and receiving the support they need.

How do your leadership programs reinforce the school’s mission and student outcomes?

Leadership is a major priority for us, and we work to create experiences that are both aspirational and practical. The Young Women’s Leadership Institute is an example of that. It is a two-week residential program where we bring students from around the world to campus. There is an educational component in the mornings, and we bring in nationally and internationally recognized speakers so students can learn directly from leaders and understand leadership through real stories and real experiences.

That program is complemented by a school-year initiative where we bring speakers in regularly in smaller settings. We want students to learn about leadership, but we also want them to see possible versions of their future selves. When students can interact with accomplished women and hear how they navigated challenges, it opens pathways and ambitions that students may not have considered.

Service is also part of leadership development. As an Episcopal school, service is central to our values. We organize weekly service opportunities in the community and support local charities and networks. We also offer service trips nationally and internationally. In a boarding environment, service is not a once-a-year activity. It becomes part of the culture and the routine, reinforcing the mission in a tangible way.

Saint Mary’s has a long history and a far-reaching alumnae network. How does that network support students today?

One of the greatest benefits of being a school that has been established for so long is the national and international reach of our alumnae. We have graduates across industries and geographies, and they remain highly connected to the school.

Our history includes a period when the school functioned as a four-year program, with two years of high school and two years of college, at a time when women were not always admitted to four-year universities. That history created a particularly strong bond among generations of alumnae, and that connection remains meaningful today.

Our alumnae association is active and maintains a strong sense of where people are, what they are doing, and how they can support current students. That includes career pathways, where students can connect with women who have walked a similar road, and also geographic support, where students heading to university in a city can immediately find a community of Saint Mary’s graduates in that area.

We invest time and energy in maintaining that network because it can be transformative. For a student, knowing that she can reach out to someone who shares a foundation and is willing to offer guidance is a powerful advantage, both professionally and personally.

What are your top priorities for Saint Mary’s over the next three to five years?

We have a detailed five-year strategic plan, and the priorities include the markers you would expect: academics, facilities, community, and mission alignment. Academically, we are focused on blending the best of traditional, rigorous education with creative, forward-looking options that reflect where the world is heading.

Facilities are also a major focus. We recently opened a new Center for the Performing Arts, and we have begun the first phase of a STEM building. We want to maximize the benefit of the learning spaces students are in, as well as the technologies available to them, so the physical environment supports the level of education we are committed to delivering.

A third major priority is community and belonging. That includes how we engage and support alumnae so their experience remains accessible to students. It includes the current campus community, including students and staff, and it includes the families of those who live on campus as part of residential life. If we are asking people to call this place home, we have to ensure it feels like home through culture, care, and intentional community-building.

Finally, mission is the anchor. We want to be innovative, but we also know staying true to who we are matters. We embed decision-making in the values of the school and in an Episcopal commitment that shapes how we care for students and for each other.

As you think about Saint Mary’s legacy, what gives you confidence that the school can keep evolving without losing what makes it distinctive?

Being a single-gender school and a boarding school requires a comprehensive approach to education. It does not mean better or worse. It means we have to look at the student experience in a broader way because students live here, and the school is shaping more of their daily life.

We are also blessed to have a legacy that provides stability. Generations upon generations of women are deeply connected and committed, and that clarity helps us lean forward. New and innovative programs don’t threaten identity, because we know exactly who we are.

When I speak with alumnae, I often say that if they walked campus today, they would see different content and spaces, and they would see realities that did not exist years ago, including managing technology in ways previous generations never had to. I also believe they would also feel a strong sense of recognition in the values of the institution, in how we care about each other, and in how we empower students to become confident and capable leaders. That foundation is what allows us to keep evolving with purpose.