In 1921, when opportunities for high school education were rare in the rural South, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia established St. Margaret’s School in Tappahannock. Its primary purpose was to “meet the need in Tidewater of a standard school, at the least possible cost, for girls of character and ability.” Back then, students often arrived by steamboat, as there was no bridge linking Tappahannock with the Northern Neck and there was no government road to Richmond or easy way to reach a major metropolitan area, like Washington, D.C.
Today, St. Margaret’s remains a place for girls in grades 8-12 to live and learn in all aspects of life. At St. Margaret’s, girls gain strong academic skills, develop the very human skills of living and learning together, and fortify their character to lead and pursue their passions. Grounded in Episcopal values, it provides a welcoming, inclusive experience for girls from across the country and around the world. St. Margaret’s School has long prided itself on its inclusive nature and its ability to welcome girls of all backgrounds. The school currently has girls from 11 states and 14 different countries.
As the school celebrates its centennial year, students move through the same historic halls of a school dedicated to the holistic development of the girl. The creaky floors, the worn banisters are complemented with the voices of a committed faculty. All are deeply committed to their teachers’ craft and endearing passion for working beyond the classroom, on the fields, stages, and our noble Rappahannock River. All are informed by an Episcopal heritage bound by an honor code that binds the community to a higher purpose.
New head of school
Colley W. Bell III recently joined St. Margaret’s School as its 13th head of school, bringing more than 40 years of independent school experience to St. Margaret’s. As a History teacher and head of school, Bell approaches the days, months, and years before him with optimism for St. Margaret’s School’s future. Prospective students and families will find a school devoted to Episcopal tenets and the overarching dedication to a holistic educational experience utilizing the river across academic and recreational programs. Bell has brought computer coding, engineering through our robotics and science classes, along with a new digital production program. Folding proven teaching methods with emerging technical competencies will have St. Margaret’s girls moving from theoretical to purposeful practices.
Bell considers himself first and foremost a learner and teacher. It began while growing up in a girls’ Episcopal boarding school where his father was the headmaster and his mother the provost and dean of students. As a graduate of an Episcopal boarding school, he points to the spiritual interconnectedness in the Episcopal tradition that brings form and function to the lives of all. Bell’s familiarity with St. Margaret’s stretches back decades, and his parents often talked fondly of the “grand school on the river.”
Future
Colley and his wife Edwina, director of Development and Alumnae Affairs, are often found on campus, tending to projects in much the same manner as were his parents. In the first weeks of his tenure, his team has populated the riverfront with motorboats, sailboats, and crew shells. He envisions a River Program that will include a STEAM-based curriculum that will inspire our girls to new heights of experiences and achievements in the sciences.
“I want for the daughters of St. Margaret’s an experience of a century,” said Bell. “The school’s heritage informs us of an ambitious education folded within a tight-knit community where grace and humility are cherished. In short, we abide by our motto, ‘As we grow in age, may we grow in grace.’”
