Mrs. Megan Downs Back '89 began her role as the President of St. Mary’s School Annapolis this past January. She is a graduate of both St. Mary's Elementary School and St. Mary's High School (Class of '89) and is the first school graduate to serve as president. She served for more than two decades in the St. Mary’s community, most recently as the principal of St. Mary's Elementary School from July 2022 to January 2026.

One of the things I remember most about St. Mary’s is simply the feeling of belonging. I can remember the teachers who knew me, the life-long friendships I made, the traditions we looked forward to, and the feeling that St. Mary’s was a place where people knew one another and cared about one another. So much of my life began here. I met some of my closest friends here, I met my husband here, and eventually I brought my own children here. Coming back to St. Mary’s as an adult has made me appreciate even more how special it is to be part of a community that can become part of who you are. The school has changed in many ways over the years, but that feeling has not.

Being a principal taught me that a school is ultimately about people. Programs, facilities, academics, athletics, and activities are all important, but they are strongest when people feel connected to one another and believe in the mission they share. I learned that people want to know that their work matters, that they are valued, and that they are part of something bigger than themselves.

That continues to shape my vision for St. Mary’s. We strive to embody a community that is united in mission, deeply rooted in our Catholic identity, and always willing to grow. We are  proud of our history and traditions while asking ourselves what our students need from us today and what they will need from us tomorrow. For me, leading St. Mary’s is about protecting what makes this place special while making sure it continues to thrive for the generations to come..

When I picture St. Mary’s five or ten years from now, I hope we have grown in all the ways that allow us to serve our students even better. I hope we have continued to strengthen our Catholic identity, welcomed more families into our community, expanded opportunities for our students, and made thoughtful investments in our campus and our future.

Some things I hope never change. I hope a student can still walk through these halls and feel known. I hope our teachers still know their students well. I hope our alumni still feel connected to this place. And I hope that, even as St. Mary’s grows and changes, we never lose the small school with a big heart that so many of us treasure.

I want us to move forward without forgetting where we came from.

I hope our graduates carry St. Mary’s with them wherever they go and continue to be part of the life of the school. That might mean returning to attend a sporting events, sharing their talents and experiences, joining a board or booster, or simply staying connected. Every alumnus has something to give.

And I hope St. Mary’s gives something lasting in return: a community to come home to. I hope our graduates know that we are proud of who they become, interested in the lives they lead, and always happy to welcome them back. St. Mary’s is not simply a place they attended. It is a community of which they will always be a part.

You may find that some things look a little different and hopefully, better. There are new faces, new programs, new renovations and new opportunities for our students. But I think you will also recognize something very familiar. The spirit of St. Mary’s is still here.

I know that because I have had the unique experience of seeing this school from so many different perspectives. I was a student here. I became a teacher here. I served as a principal here. I raised my children here. And now I have the privilege of serving as President. At every stage, I have been reminded that what makes St. Mary’s special is not just the buildings or the traditions. It is the people and the relationships that are formed here.

When you return, you may be surprised by how quickly it feels like you never left.