Editor,
Rappahannock Times:
St. Margaret’s School means everything to me. It is the place where I have grown into who I am, surrounded by people who feel like family.
I’m sixteen and entering 11th grade. Although I officially started as a student here in 9th grade, St. Margaret’s has been part of my life since I was five years old. My earliest memories include visiting the campus, seeing the girls in their uniforms, and imagining that one day I would be one of them. Without this school, my mom and I would probably not be part of this community the way we are today. This place has felt like home for as long as I can remember.
St. Margaret’s isn’t just where I attend classes; it is my safe place. It is the community that has taught me not only academics but also how to be brave, speak up, and believe in myself.
What I love most about SMS is the people. My friends and the staff feel like my family, and there is a sisterhood here that is unlike anywhere else. One of my favorite experiences has been watching girls experience their “firsts”—their first crab feast, first swim in the river, first bus ride, first dorm room, or even their first time in the United States. While these may sound like small things, for many girls, they are huge moments that change how we see the world and ourselves.
St. Margaret’s is special because it is an all-girls school where everyone—students and teachers alike—shares a unique connection that is difficult to fully explain to anyone who hasn’t felt it. We are like a family: we may have small arguments sometimes, but we always stand together when it matters.
Since being here, I’ve learned to advocate for myself and others. I’ve met people from all over the globe who have helped me discover who I am. The teachers and staff don’t just teach; they share their own journeys, helping me to believe in what’s possible for my own life.
I’ve also had unique opportunities here that I could not have imagined elsewhere. I’ve served as a school ambassador and leader, held the position of class president in 10th grade, led the volunteer club, played softball, and managed the basketball team. Recently, I even attended Model Congress in Washington, D.C.—an experience I owe to the connections I’ve made at SMS.
However, this summer has been incredibly difficult. On June 5th, while I was on vacation, my mom informed me that the Board was deciding whether St. Margaret’s would remain open, with a decision expected by July 15. When I first heard this, I felt scared and confused. Then I started receiving messages from friends who were terrified about the future and whether they would return to SMS in August.
The hardest part has been the uncertainty. Imagine the place that feels like home— where you’ve laughed, cried, and grown up—suddenly disappearing. That is what we are facing. It is heartbreaking to consider the possibility that the place where I’ve found safety and belonging might just vanish. I am especially worried about my friends from other countries who may never get another opportunity like this or may never return to the United States.
People outside may see SMS as just “the school with the girls by the river,” but we are so much more than that. This is a place that prepares girls for college and for life. It has given me and so many others a sense of hope, belonging, and belief in a future we might not have dared to imagine otherwise.
I have dreamed for so long of standing on the graduation stage here. I have watched eleven classes graduate during my time connected to St. Margaret’s, and I have imagined myself in that moment, surrounded by the people I love. For me, it is more than just a milestone— it is a symbol of hope, family, and the future I’ve been working toward for as long as I can remember.
If I could say something to the Board, it would be this: I hope you understand how deeply this school matters to so many of us. I wish we could have learned of this situation sooner, and I hope there is still a chance to save our home—for me and for all the girls who have yet to discover what makes SMS so special.
I also want people to know there are ways to help. Donations make a difference, but one of the most impactful ways to help is for new students to apply and join us. We need more students for many of our dreams to become possible. If you are curious about St. Margaret’s, please talk to us girls who attend—we love sharing our journeys and helping others see why this place means so much. Rumors only make things harder, but support and action can help keep St. Margaret’s alive.
My greatest wish is to graduate from St. Margaret’s and to know that future girls will have the same love, community, and hope that I’ve found here. Because this school doesn’t just change students—it changes lives.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I hope you can see how deeply St. Margaret’s matters, not only to me but to so many girls who have found a home here.
Jasmine Kelly
Tappahannock
Editor,
Rappahannock Times:
Thomas Paine wrote, “A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.”
For those of us who love St. Margaret’s School, this moment calls for accountability, but also for compassion and collaboration. St. Margaret’s has faithfully served girls and families in Virginia for over 100 years — grounded in Episcopal values, dedicated to service, and rooted in the heart of Tappahannock.
Today, that legacy is in jeopardy. Despite strong fundraising and a clear path toward sustainability, St. Margaret’s now faces possible closure by Church Schools in the Diocese of Virginia (CSDV). Many of us — alumnae, families, and supporters — were caught off guard by CSDV’s abrupt reversal after approving the 2025–2026 academic year. We feel unheard and deeply concerned that such highstakes decisions are being made without meaningful engagement or transparency. If CSDV proceeds, what will happen to current families and contracted faculty and staff? What becomes of the riverfront and Hoskins Creek properties — land donated for the School’s benefit? Where will the proceeds go? Will alumnae have a voice or a vote? And what effect will a mothballed campus have on downtown Tappahannock, a town already working hard to revitalize its core? These are urgent questions, and CSDV must be transparent about its plans for a 100-year-old institution and the community it has long supported.
We recognize the challenges Church Schools faces. But we also believe that St. Margaret’s still has vitality, purpose, and promise — especially with its renewed focus on experiential learning, STEM education, and outreach to underserved students. We are not alone in that belief: more than $2.5 million has been raised this year alone to support the School. What’s needed now is time, honest dialogue, and a shared commitment to the girls who call St. Margaret’s home.
To help ensure that future, we formed Save Our St. Margaret’s (SOS) — an advocacy group working to protect the school’s mission and invite broader participation in its future.
We respectfully ask Church Schools and the Episcopal Church to pause and reconsider.
And we ask alumnae and friends of the school to act: donate, write letters, and raise your voices in support.
St. Margaret’s is a small school with a big heart. It has served faithfully for a century. With your help, it can continue to do so for the next.
Sandra Mitchell
St. Margaret’s
School Alumna 1964
President,
Save our St. Margaret’s
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