History and Values

Saint Elizabeth’s Academy (1877-1909)
Saint Joseph’s Academy (1881-1969)
Cathedral High School (1909-1969)
King’s Academy (1919-1926)
Catherine McAuley High School (1969-2016)
The Maine Girls’ Academy (2016-Beyond)

In July 2016, the doors of The Maine Girls’ Academy opened for the first time under this new name. MGA stands on the shoulders of several other prominent schools dedicated to educating young women and making a difference in the world for the past 140 years.

From 1877 to 2016, the schools that preceded The Maine Girls’ Academy were sponsored and/or staffed by the Sisters of Mercy, who came to Maine from Ireland in 1865. Their foundress, Catherine McAuley, committed herself to the education and advancement of women as a means to effect social change and help women discover and achieve their full potential.

The Maine Girls Academy, while an independent, non-sectarian school, continues to embrace many of the values and traditions that are part of the rich educational history of our preceding schools.

When the Sisters of Mercy Northeast Community decided to no longer sponsor Catherine McAuley High School, bold and visionary members of the Board of Trustees determined that Maine deserved to have a girls’ school continue.

At The Maine Girls’ Academy our mission is to educate girls to be confident thinkers, compassionate leaders and purposeful change makers. We uphold the following core values:

  • Educational Excellence
  • Global Vision and Responsibility
  • Concern for Women and Children
  • Compassion and Service
  • Collaboration
  • Spiritual Growth and Development

The Maine Girls’ Academy is an independent, non-sectarian school located at the corner of Walton Street and Stevens Avenue - where thousands of women have been educated and inspired.