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About
Who We Are
St. Catherine’s provides a modern well-rounded educational experience rooted in more than a century of history and tradition. We could not do it without a talented and passionate team of faculty and staff members.
About St. Catherine’s School
St. Catherine’s School is an independent PK-12 school dedicated to the education of girls. We equip students with the intellect and courage needed to enter the changing world with a confident voice and a sure-footed expectation that they are prepared for a life without limits.
Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, St. Catherine’s provides a modern, well-rounded educational experience rooted in more than a century of history and tradition. From our revolutionary past to our dynamic present, St. Catherine’s has always focused on preparing students for a boundless future.
We know that opportunities and challenges often come when we least expect them. That is why everything we do – from the classroom to the playing field to the stage and beyond – ensures that the girls and young women at St. Catherine’s School are ready for what lies ahead.
Our Mission
St. Catherine's School provides a rigorous education that prepares girls with diverse perspectives for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service in a global community.
Our Motto
What we keep we lose; only what we give remains our own.
At a Glance
Fast Facts
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950 students
(Early Learners - Grade 12) -
Student Breakdown
Upper School = 349
Middle School = 263
Lower School = 338 -
Average Class Size
Lower School = 15 students
Middle School = 12 students
Upper School = 14 students -
21%
Students of color -
246
246 dedicated faculty and staff -
16
Acre picturesque main campus on Grove Avenue + 145 acres of athletics fields and natural land for outdoor education in Goochland -
55
Zip codes represented by our students -
Affordability
$3 million awarded in need-based financial aid
22% of students receive need-based financial aid -
1890
Year Founded
1/9
Our Founder
Virginia Randolph Ellett, or “Miss Jennie” as she was affectionately known, was the founder and headmistress of St. Catherine’s School for nearly five decades.
In the 1890s, Virginia Randolph Ellett strongly believed in the power of girls education. The School today carries the same timeless ideals of intellectual rigor and joy in learning. Our teachers continue her legacy of innovative teaching and experiential learning today.
As early as 1895, the Virginia Randolph Ellett School was recognized by Bryn Mawr as a school whose graduates were qualified for college work. Her advancements enabled Richmond to become one of only eight cities in the world where College Entrance Board Exams were given annually to women. With a curriculum described at the time as being “at once classical and revolutionary,” Miss Jennie’s school was the first in Richmond to send girls to college.
In 1917, the School was incorporated and moved to its present site in the Westhampton area of Richmond. It was sold to the Episcopal Church in 1920 and renamed for St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of young women. Miss Jennie, who had relinquished her headship some years before, continued to teach and live at the school until her death in 1939.
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Founder Ellett
Let's Get Started
The best way to discover what a St. Catherine's education can do for your daughter is to visit us or call us at (804) 281-7140. We can't wait to meet you!
Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, St. Catherine’s School is a private, all-girls pre-K, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school. We provide a well-rounded educational experience for girls from communities across Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico and all of central Virginia. St.Catherine’s all-girls educational experience is rooted in more than a century of history and tradition. From our revolutionary past to our dynamic present, St. Catherine’s has always focused on preparing students for a boundless future.
