RIVERSIDE — A century and a half ago, the world was a vastly different place for women. Largely limited to domestic roles and by societal expectations, opportunities for girls were scarce. In 1874, St. Mary Academy – Bay View was founded by the Sisters of Mercy, who dared to challenge the norm, offering a haven where young women could pursue knowledge and develop their intellect.
From boardrooms to laboratories, from political offices to athletic arenas, the achievements of more than 10,000 Bay View alumnae are a testament to the school’s enduring legacy. As the longest running all-girls Catholic school in the state, Bay View continues to thrive. The 2024 graduating class achieved a 100% graduation rate, a 100% college acceptance rate, and students received close to $20 million dollars in college scholarships. For the 2024-2025 school year, Bay View welcomes the largest number of newly enrolled students in nearly a decade, including the largest Grade 9 class since 2018. The admission season for the 2025-2026 school year has just opened, with an Open House scheduled for Sunday, October 20, 2024.
“Bay View has extraordinary graduates,” said Amy Gravell, president of St. Mary Academy – Bay View and Bay View alumna (Class of ’93). “Judges, CEOs of companies, Broadway stars, scientists, teachers – countless women who have made the world a better place. We are thrilled to celebrate their contributions, as well as the contributions of the girls who are students now and those who will be, well into the future.”
To mark the 150th anniversary, Bay View will host a series of events throughout the year, beginning with a Mass at the Cathedral in Providence on September 8, and continuing with a year-long series of events and activities including: 150 acts of service and 150 acts of kindness by students, and a documentary chronicling the history of Bay View which will premier in conjunction with Women’s History Month.
Bay View will hold its 150th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, November 16 at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet.
For more information on Bay View’s 150th celebration, visit www.bayview150.org.
