City: Savannah, GA

Category: Education

Telephone: (912) 236-5508

Address: 207 East Liberty St.

Description: St. Vincent’s—a Catholic, college preparatory school for girls—has been owned by the Sisters of Mercy since 1845 and is the only private high school in the Historic District. The three main buildings of the school cover a city block on the south side of Liberty Street between Abercorn and Lincoln Streets, and St. Vincent’s also includes the Walsh Hall gymnasium on Harris Street and the Peg F. Dressel Library at Liberty and Lincoln. Although the Sisters of Mercy still operate the school, the majority of the faculty consists of professional lay teachers.St. Vincent’s teaches grades 9 through 12. About two-thirds of the school’s 350 students are Catholic, but St. Vincent’s is open to all young women regardless of creed, race, or socioeconomic status. Classes average about 20 students, with 95 to 100 percent of graduates attending college. The school administration believes the downtown location is an asset because it enables students to experience an urban environment and brings them into direct contact with Savannah’s history and culture. St. Vincent’s places an emphasis on Christian values and “the acceptance of individuals as God’s gift to the world,” says the principal, Sister Helen Marie Buttimer. This philosophy has led to a long tradition of graduates sending their daughters and granddaughters to their alma mater, up to the fourth and fifth generations. At the same time, St. Vincent’s cherishes the diversity of its student body and makes its services available to all of Savannah’s young women. St. Vincent’s offers an extensive program in visual arts, and the school’s chorus is known throughout Savannah. St. Vincent’s competes in eight varsity sports: volleyball, softball, basketball, tennis, track, soccer, riflery, and swimming.