Contact: Jenni Brockman
Telephone: 804-443-3357
Fax: 804-443-6781

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Girls Invited to SMS Visit Day


Tappahannock (September 16, 2002) - Single-sex education is big news these days, whether it's the federal government's growing openness to separate-gender public classrooms or bestsellers like All Girls: Single-Sex Education and Why It Matters. Families in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula are part of the trend, too, thanks to St. Margaret's School.

St. Margaret's School day students Arrow  Photo left: St. Margaret's School day students invite local girls entering grades 8-12 next year to attend Day Student Visit Day on October 18.

"Local parents know that their daughters are more likely to focus on academics, build leadership skills, and reach their true potential in a single-sex environment, " said SMS Director of Admission Kim McDowell. "The continuing demand we see for day student admission tells us that we're meeting an important need."

McDowell encourages local families considering admission to St. Margaret's for 2003-2004 to plan ahead and apply early. Girls who will be entering grades 8-12 next year can take the first step in the admission process by attending Day Student Visit Day on Friday, October 18. The program begins at 7:40 a.m. and ends at 1:30 p.m. Participants will be paired with current day students to attend classes, tour the campus, hear a student panel, and eat lunch.

This year, 44 area residents are day students at St. Margaret's. They come from public and private middle schools in eight counties, including Essex, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Middlesex, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland. Daily round-trip shuttle transportation is available from the Northern Neck.

St. Margaret's is a 158-student boarding/day school for girls in grades 8-12 that was founded in 1921 by the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. Its mission, "Educating Young Women for Life," is reflected in a college preparatory curriculum and co-curricular activities that equip girls to face the technological, global, intellectual and societal challenges they will encounter in our rapidly changing world. Consistent with its mission and heritage, St. Margaret's actively seeks and admits qualified students of any race, color, religious affiliation, or national or ethnic origin, and offers need-based financial aid.

For more information and an invitation to Day Student Visit Day, please contact the SMS Admission Office by October 11 at (804) 443-3357 or admit@sms.org. You also may register online at www.sms.org/ad60plan.htm.