St. Mary Academy-Bay View new Public Health and Life Sciences Scholars Program

St. Mary Academy – Bay View is proud to announce that in fall 2023, the Academy will launch a Public Health and Life Science Scholars Program. The program prepares Bay View students to enter the world with a global perspective and commitment to social justice through interdisciplinary coursework and the application of their learning. Upper School students who complete the PHLS program will earn a Diploma with Distinction designation on their diploma and notation on their transcript.    

The school’s 2023 – 2026 Strategic Plan identified Striving Higher for Academic Excellence as the first of five pillars that serve as guideposts in blazing new trails for future generations at Bay View. Developing the Scholars Programs is an important strategy for the Academic Excellence pillar.

“This is the first of several Scholar Programs that Bay View will launch. We chose this focus area first because it builds on our strengths and addresses a career area that will benefit from the perspectives of young women committed to academic excellence and addressing health inequities,” noted Mary Ann Snider, Vice Principal for Academics and Curriculum.

The program aligns with Bay View’s mission to prepare students to enter the world with a global perspective and commitment to social justice. The Sisters of Mercy founder, Catherine McAuley, implored our community to act in solidarity with the poor of the world, especially women and children. The PHLS Scholars Program designation showcases each student’s commitment to furthering the quality of healthcare for all, amplifying the voices of the sick, and contributing to the study of life sciences.  

The program begins in grades 9 and 10 when students will be guided about scholarship requirements and start an exploration of health issues aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In grades 11 and 12, students will be paired with a mentor and begin work on their Senior Capstone Project, which reflects a deep understanding of how health sciences specifically address global health inequities. This includes a long-term research project, a presentation at the iGEM competition, and an extended externship with an industry or higher education partner.