St. Mary’s Academy celebrates 160 years
Posted on March 10, 2025, by Regina Drey SL
When the 699 students of St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) gathered for the school’s 160th birthday party in September, it was a joy-filled, high-energy celebration from drone cameras capturing students forming the number 160 to commemorative T-shirts, lively music and birthday cake. The 2024-2025 academic year is one of unending pride, and the birthday party was the first of many events honoring the past and propelling SMA into the future.
Photo courtesy of Regina Drey SL
St. Mary’s Academy was the first mission of the Sisters of Loretto in Colorado when they arrived in 1864 and today proudly aligns with the Loretto Community through the Loretto School values of faith, community, justice and respect. SMA conferred the first ever diploma in the Colorado Territory to Jessie Forshee in 1875. She joined the Sisters of Loretto and became a renowned educator.
To read all the articles in the winter 2025 issue of Loretto Magazine, click here.
