Q: What is unique about Mayfield Senior School?
The spiritual mission of Holy Child makes Mayfield unique – Holy Child is about connection with others and core Christian values. Mayfield’s educational experience goes beyond classroom skills and embraces the life skills needed to become caring and responsible members of our community. When reflection and spirituality are a part of the fabric of the school, the student develops a strong inner self that serves as her touchstone.

Q: What is the importance of a Catholic education for young women today?
We are at a critically important time in the history of the Catholic Church. Women are going to play a significant role in the twenty-first century Church. It is absolutely necessary for Catholic education to prepare girls for this extraordinary mission – they need to be ready. They will need the skills, desire and commitment to serve the Church in a myriad of new ways.

Q: What makes an all-girls school special?
At an all-girls school, young women can more fully realize their potential as individuals and as members of a community. They are able to build strong and long-lasting relationships with one another. The learning environment can be attuned to the particular ways in which they learn to express themselves. Girls are not held in check by the desire to be affirmed by boys. They learn more about leadership and risk-taking.

With almost thirty-five years of administrative and teaching (literature and history) experience, Rita Curasi McBride is now in her sixth year as Mayfield's Head of School.

“I firmly believe in the education of the whole child – that means an intellectual, spiritual, physical and artistic education. I also believe in the connection between students and their adult role models, as it is the quality of this connection that provides the conduit for learning to take place.”

Mrs. McBride is a member of the National Association of Secondary Schools Principals, the American Association of University Women, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

She has served as panelist, presider and presenter at the National Association of Independent Schools and other conferences, speaking about issues such as all girls education, community service programs and moral development in independent schools.