School Leadership

What is the leadership style at St. Clement's School? How do the school leaders shape the culture, priorities, and daily life of the community? How does this leadership style compare to that of other private and independent schools, and how might it influence your choice of school?

Page Contents

Facts and analysis
- Message from the school leadership
- Our interview with the school leader
Qualitative insights
- The school has a small, close-knit community.
- They empower student voices.

Facts and analysis

MESSAGE FROM THE LEADERSHIP

We asked Martha Perry '85, Principal at St. Clement's School for their message.

They offered insights into their vision, values, and the principles that define their leadership style.

Martha Perry '85, Principal

Welcome! I am thrilled that you are interested in learning more about St. Clement’s School. Beyond the strong tradition of academic excellence, there is a tangible sense of community spirit and pride at SCS that you can feel the moment you walk into our building.

Our mission is to develop outstanding women who are intellectually curious, courageous, and compassionate, and we believe that this is done by equipping our students to be courageous and adaptable learners and empowering them to make impactful contributions in local, national, and global communities.

Choosing a school for your child is a very important decision. It is my hope that as you read more about us, you will get a little sense of who we are as a school and will be inspired to come and see SCS for yourself. We welcome you to visit us to get a better sense of our spirited community – one that reflects relentless passion, courage, and curiosity in learning.

We look forward to meeting you and sharing more about St. Clement’s School.

Warmest regards,

Martha Perry ’85

Principal

INTERVIEW WITH THE LEADERSHIP

Watch our interview with Martha Perry, Principal at St. Clement's School

They reflect on their path to educational leadership, the school's mission, and the vision guiding their everyday decisions.

Martha Perry is the Principal of St. Clement’s School, and a former student there as well. This gives her a unique perspective on the school’s culture, and how it has evolved. St. Clement’s is a small school, which she says attracts families who value community. She says there is no typical St. Clement’s student, but what they all share is a capacity to excel and a curiosity to keep learning.

Video Contents

0:47 - Three things the principal loves about her job
2:00 - The day of a principal
4:03 - Reasons she was drawn to St. Clement's School
Show Full Video Contents
7:10 - Ways her experience in sports shapes how she runs the school
9:31 - The culture and life at St. Clement’s
12:08 - How students and others are encouraged to challenge the principal and her decisions
14:56 - The types of families at St. Clement's
17:03 - A type of student who would not be the right fit at the school
19:36 - The years students are typically enrolled
21:10 - Special events or occasions at the school
23:12 - Parental communication
25:26 - The school's personality traits
26:10 - Changes that can be made at the school
28:04 - Advice for parents and students who are searching for a school

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.

The school has a small, close-knit community.

Observations from students and alumni suggest that the small size of St. Clement’s School fosters a close-knit community where students and faculty can form strong, supportive relationships.

We are a small school—Grades 1 to 12. One of the things that really sets us apart is we exist and share facilities within one building. Part of what I love is being with the girls, and I have the great good fortune to be with them all the time. So to me, that’s the first thing I adore about my job].

—Martha Perry, Principal (see full interview)

If I think about the other all-girls schools, they’re significantly larger, and I think that a lot of what makes St. Clement’s great—with how accommodating they are, and how willing they are to let students speak out, and how great the teachers are—it comes in part from how small the school is. I think that it being small allows for a lot more flexibility. That comes not only from the logistical aspect, but from the fact that it’s a lot easier for the admin staff and the teachers to fully support you, because they know you, and that’s so much easier at a small school. I can’t overstate how important it was for my St. Clement’s experience to get to know the teachers, the admin people. It allows you to take advantage of everything the school has to offer, and that’s not nearly as possible in larger schools.

—Julie Midroni, alum (see full interview)

They empower student voices.

According to testimonials from students and administrators, St. Clement’s School places a strong emphasis on nurturing and empowering student voices, encouraging them to explore their passions and express their unique perspectives.

The difference between St. Clement’s now and when I was a student here is the nurturing of voice even more. I admire every leader that I’ve known at St. Clement’s, but I don’t think voice was as nurtured when we were younger. It’s not a criticism; I just don’t think it was. Whereas now, for girls and young women to have a voice and to understand that their convictions are important—and particularly diverse perspectives and voices—that is far more focused. For me, it’s about] affording opportunities for the girls to explore who they are, getting to know their authentic selves and then diving into whatever they’re passionate about. It’s an opportunity for authentic experiences.

—Martha Perry, Principal (see full interview)

Our girls foster learning in us too. There have been a number of challenges by the student community to decisions at the school. I think of the way we have done things and worked with our students [who question] why we’ve done things the way we’ve done them, and then shifting approaches—whether it’s to the manner in which we teach or the content we’re teaching. We’ve had girls come to us and push ideas about the uniform and really question the choices [we have made] for our uniform, particularly around the idea of identity and supporting our students. And that’s been an amazing and important push for me. Different lenses and experiences, people sharing them around ‘This is how this makes me feel’, [regarding] a tradition we may have.

—Martha Perry, Principal (see full interview)

I think St. Clement’s really helped maintain my faith in myself and helped me leave St. Clement’s as someone who has a solid understanding of what she is capable of, and who is confident in her ability to accomplish things based on what she knows she is capable of. And I think that’s something that St. Clement’s definitely built from the moment that I got there. They just keep telling the girls, ‘You can accomplish this, we’re going to support you to accomplish this, always pursue those things that you think you can accomplish,’ and then that confidence becomes real as time goes on.

—Julie Midroni, alum (see full interview)

There are some girls who come from Grades 1 to 8, and then they look for a change and they want to venture out to another experience. Sometimes we have them leave and they come back in a year, and I love that too. But I always say to the girls who are like, ‘Oh, I’m thinking of doing this and leaving the school’, and my response is, ‘Look, part of our mission is to nurture courage. And if this is something you want to give a shot to, it takes courage to make that decision.’

—Martha Perry, Principal (see full interview)

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