At St. Mary's Academy, We Believe. Located in the heart of downtown Portland, OR, St. Mary's Academy is the state's only all-girls Catholic college-prep school. Founded in 1859 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, St. Mary's Academy serves more than 725 young women in grades 9-12. Our graduate's college acceptance rate is 100% and SMA students achieve, excel and are recognized locally, regionally and nationally in academic fields, the arts, athletics, community services and extra- and co-curricular activities.