06/15/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A Century-Old Legacy Reborn: St. Margaret's School Foundation Launches New Microschool for the 2026–2027 Academic Year
TAPPAHANNOCK, VA — June 2026 — More than a century after its founding, the spirit of St. Margaret's School is alive again. The St. Margaret's School Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2025, is proud to announce the launch of an all-girls microschool for day students, opening for the 2026–2027 academic year. Applications are now open, with enrollment limited to 10 students in grades 9-12 for this inaugural class.
St. Margaret's first opened in 1921, beginning with just 18 students and classes held above a local drugstore. For over a century, the school shaped generations of remarkable young women along the banks of the Rappahannock River before its closure in 2025. A group of dedicated alumnae and community friends formed the St. Margaret's School Foundation to continue the school’s educational mission. The organization is headquartered at the historic Phillips House on Water Lane in Tappahannock.
Classical Education. An All-Girls Advantage
The microschool offers a rigorous classical curriculum grounded in the Episcopal tradition that develops critical thinking, clear communication, moral character, and spiritual maturity. The all-girls environment gives students the freedom to pursue their goals with confidence and the full support they need to flourish.
The school's philosophy rests on four pillars:
• The Whole Person — nurturing students academically, emotionally, spiritually, and physically
• All-Girls Environment — a unique setting where students grow in confidence, voice, and leadership
• Classical Principles — developing principled thinkers who reason carefully and communicate clearly
• Christian Community — shaping compassionate young leaders
Leadership Committed to the Mission
Valorie Mundie, Interim Head of School, holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Teaching from the University of Virginia and is pursuing her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. Her passion for teaching was reignited when she homeschooled her own daughter through middle school.
Jovita Kelly, Director of Internal Affairs and Mathematics Teacher, brings 25 years of teaching experience, including 12 years at St. Margaret's, and a degree in Business Finance from Virginia Commonwealth University.
James "Jamie" Barrack, a Northern Neck native, holds a Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education from VCU and has completed graduate coursework in Educational Leadership at the University of Virginia.
Applications Are Open Now
The St. Margaret's School Foundation invites families to consider this extraordinary opportunity. Tuition assistance may be available for students with demonstrated financial need. To learn more or begin the application process, please visit www.smsontheriver.org, call 804-925-6070, or email Valorie Mundie at [email protected].
