Maryvale, a Catholic independent girls’ school serving grades six through 12, affiliated with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, provides an environment in which each student can reach her academic, spiritual, physical, and civic potential in a loving, supportive, and diverse community. Building upon its unique and special heritage, Maryvale’s mission is to provide an exceptional education that responds to change and prepares young women for life.
As a pacesetter in educating young women for life, Maryvale is committed to excellence and continuous growth across the five strategic priorities described on the pages which follow. Our three-year strategic plan identifies specific actions we will undertake to develop thoughtful leaders who serve and change the world.
Dear Maryvale Community,
We are proud and excited to share this strategic plan to guide our direction and priorities for the next three years, and to serve as the foundation for a continuous strategic planning process for Maryvale.
For more than 80 years, Maryvale has provided an exceptional education and prepared young women for life. Enduring institutions like ours develop a keen understanding of what to change and what not to change. In this strategic plan, we reaffirm our mission and values grounded in the Hallmarks of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. And, we reaffirm the importance of community as a distinguishing centerpiece of the Maryvale experience across generations.
Openness to change and renewal is also essential to prepare young women to lead in a dynamic, challenging world. This plan outlines our commitment to a rich educational experience spanning technological, artistic, athletic, social, economic, and civic advancement -- with a student experience centered around leadership, service, wellness, and community.
We hope you share our excitement and confidence about Maryvale’s future as we build on the foundation of today’s success and momentum and our storied 80-year history.
Malika DeLancey President
Sherry N. Pudloski ’85 Chair, Board of Trustees
Our Process
In May 2024, the Board Chair and Head of School launched the strategic planning process, and the Board established an ad hoc Strategic Planning Committee. During winter and spring 2025, the Committee gathered input from more than 500 community members through surveys, focus groups, and listening sessions. Based on these insights, as well as research and trends in independent and Catholic schools, five strategic priorities were identified. Over the next three years, the Board’s Strategy Committee will oversee implementation of the Plan and monitor progress.
Mission & Ministry
Fully integrate faith, service, and inclusion across community life.
As a Catholic independent school affiliated with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Maryvale is committed to educating young women who live out their faith through compassionate leadership and action.
We will...
• Create a Mission and Ministry department that, for the purpose of deepening our alignment with the Hallmarks of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community, intentionally connects Campus Ministry, Service, and Inclusion & Belonging.
• Establish a Hallmark subcommittee within the Academic Board to ensure the Hallmarks are integrated into the academic curriculum, leadership programs, and community life.
• Reconstruct the service experience program around intentional opportunities in which students learn leadership in purpose as they engage with, and give back to, our Greater Baltimore communities.
• Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging by allocating resources, financial and otherwise, to align the adoption of support strategies that ensure every individual is valued.
Academic Excellence and Innovation
Empower every student through a personalized experience for academic success.
Maryvale cultivates academic excellence by nurturing the whole student—emphasizing personal growth, confidence, spirituality, and lifelong learning within a rigorous and supportive academic environment.
We will...
• Establish a dynamic, data-informed curriculum review process, which will be centered around a rigorous commitment to excellence and academic achievement along with support for individualized growth.
• Create pathways for the expansion of Maryvale’s academic offerings, with a specific emphasis on career-focused opportunities.
• Cultivate an exemplary faculty and staff experience designed to enhance the recruitment and retention of exceptional educators who demonstrate innovation, professional excellence, and a deep commitment to transformative teaching and learning.
• Broaden the scope, and expand the resources of our signature St. Julie Billiart and Ford Programs to meet the needs of diverse learners and to serve as a resource for ongoing professional development for faculty, staff, and families.
• Invest in and enhance the Maryvale learning experience by aligning resources and schedules to support equitable access to co-curricular offerings in Athletics, the Arts, and Student Clubs that promote holistic development.
Community Experience
Promote a culture of connection, belonging and well-being.
Maryvale seeks to empower students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumnae by fostering meaningful connections, and strengthening a strong sense of community and well-being.
We will...
• Create a Wellness Committee and develop effective programs to support the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of students, faculty, and staff.
• Strengthen parent engagement through frequent and effective communications, topical programming, and collaborative opportunities.
• Enrich the alumnae experience by creating opportunities for purposeful participation, lifetime service, and engagement with current students, each other, and our broader community.
Leadership and Impact
Cultivate a prominent and visible role in fostering leadership and civic engagement within the school community and beyond.
Maryvale prepares students to lead with confidence, service, and integrity. On the strength of our 80-year foundation, we will shape the future.
We will...
• Elevate the Mitchell Leadership Institute with experiential learning opportunities that connect students with accomplished and inspirational mentors across industries.
• Establish opportunities to develop and recognize leadership excellence among our faculty and staff.
• Strengthen community partnerships and learning to magnify Maryvale’s impact and reach with a focus on our Greater Baltimore community.
Sustainability and Growth
Ensure that Maryvale thrives for generations to come.
Maryvale’s long-term success depends on the generosity of our donors and the stewardship of our reputation and resources.
We will...
• Significantly grow the endowment and identify new funding sources to support our students, faculty, staff, and programs.
• Update the campus master plan.
• Establish an enrollment strategy to enhance Maryvale’s community in the spirit of the Hallmarks; strengthen enrollment management practices through data-driven insights and personalized outreach.
• Create a differentiated brand position which articulates with clarity and precision the Maryvale story; reconfigure and realign our marketing and communications efforts to express our mission and the experience of a Maryvale education.
Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Committee
Maryvale Board of Trustees (2024-2025)
Sherry N. Pudloski ’85, Chair
Patricia M.C. Brown ’78
Malika DeLancey P’27, President
Shana Hall ’95
Christina Kim, Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives
Marie Lerch ’72
Gracie Smith, Academic Dean
Strategy Committee
Maryvale Board of Trustees
Stephen Abrams, Co-Chair
Marie Lerch ’72, Co-Chair
Jeffrey Bathurst P’26
Carey Johnson Buxton ’05
Malika DeLancey P’27, President
Shana Hall ’95
Heather Smith Harvison ’89
Sherry N. Pudloski ’85
Martha Sweeney
Christina Kim,
Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives
Jennifer Nicholas P’26, Assistant Head of School for Academics, Upper School Head
Internal Strategic Planning Committee
Malika DeLancey P’27, President
Christina Kim,
Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives
Deanna Gamber, Director of Institutional Advancement
Jennifer Nicholas P’26,
Assistant Head of School for Academics, Upper School Head
Francesca Troiano, Director of Advancement Communications
In Gratitude
We are deeply grateful to every member of the Maryvale community who participated in the strategic planning process by providing thoughtful feedback and input through surveys, focus groups, and workshops. We thank the many students, faculty, staff, parents, past parents, alumnae, past board members, current board members, and friends of Maryvale who shared their time, ideas, and perspectives throughout the entire process.
Board of Trustees
2025 - 2026
Sherry N. Pudloski ‘85 Chair
Stephen Abrams
Jeffrey Bathurst P’26
We are deeply grateful to every member of the Maryvale community who participated in the strategic planning process by providing thoughtful feedback and input through surveys, focus groups, and workshops. We thank the many students, faculty, staff, parents, past parents, alumnae, past board members, current board members, and friends of Maryvale who shared their time, ideas, and perspectives throughout the entire process.
Mary Ellen Barthelme ‘72
Patricia M.C. Brown, Esq. ‘78
Kate Nolan Bryden ‘00
Carey Johnson Buxton ‘05
William Cole P’28, ‘31
Malika DeLancey P’27
Sister Therese Dill SNDdeN ‘65
Frances Dingle P’26
Thomas Fan P’24
Justin Gerbereux P’22, ‘24, ‘27
Melanie Covahey Hagan ‘87
Shana Hall ‘95
Heather Smith Harvison ‘89
Arielle Harry-Bess, Esq.
Morgan Jenkins ‘11
Richard Koors, P.E., P’24
Marie Lerch ‘72
Carmalita March-Harris P’30, ‘32
Joshua Peters P’24, ‘26
Lori Rice, CPA, P’25, ‘30
Barry Rosen GP’24, ‘26
David Schiminger P’26
Kaliq Simms P’26
Jovie Soriano P’21, ‘23
Martha H. Sweeney
Margaret Kenney Weinfeld ‘89, P’19
Gerard Wittstadt, Jr., Esq. P’22
Hallmarks of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
We proclaim by our lives even more than by our words that God is good.
We honor the dignity and sacredness of each person.
We educate for and act on behalf of justice, peace, and care for all creation.
We commit ourselves to community service.
We embrace the gift of diversity.
We create community among those with whom we work and with those we serve.
Preparatory School
We develop holistic learning communities that educate for life.
