This year, we celebrate an extraordinary milestone—80 years since the founding of Maryvale Preparatory School by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. As we reflect on our legacy and look ahead with hope, I am struck by how the founding mission of the Sisters continues to shape and strengthen Maryvale today. Their vision—to educate young women not only for academic excellence but for lives of faith, service, and leadership—has never been more relevant, and never more vital.
Last week, I had the privilege of joining five Maryvale teachers on a retreat led by Sister Stephanie Thompson and Donna Groene from the SNDdeN Ohio Province Office. We were joined by teachers and administrators from three other Notre Dame schools: Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, Trinity School, and Sisters Academy. The retreat was centered on the Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community. The Hallmarks, spiritual and educational values that animate every Notre Dame de Namur school around the world, were created in the early 2000s as a way to unify all Notre Dame de Namur schools. Now into my third year as President of Maryvale, this experience was both grounding and galvanizing. It offered the time and sacred space to step back, reflect, and more deeply align myself with the spiritual foundation of the community I am honored to serve.
Throughout our time together, our retreat leaders invited us to listen deeply—not only to their wisdom and experience, but to each other’s stories. I shared what brought me to Maryvale, what inspires me each day, and how I see the Hallmarks lived out in our classrooms, our offices, our teams, and our students. It was a time of connection, clarity, and renewal.
What I experienced on that retreat has only deepened my belief in the strength of Maryvale’s mission and the resilience of this community. The Hallmarks are not abstract ideals; they are living commitments. They remind us who we are and who we are becoming:
- We proclaim by our lives even more than by our words that God is good.
- We honor the dignity and sacredness of each person.
- We educate for and act on behalf of justice and peace in the world.
- We commit ourselves to community service.
- We embrace the gift of diversity.
- We create community among those with whom we work and with those we serve.
- We develop holistic learning communities which educate for life.
These seven guiding principles resonate deeply with the challenges and opportunities we face today as educators, families, and leaders. In a world that can feel uncertain, the Hallmarks offer a steady compass—calling us to lead with integrity, to educate with empathy, and to build a community where all are known, valued, and empowered.
For me, the retreat reaffirmed that Maryvale is not just a school—it is a sacred space where formation happens every day. And in this 80th year, as we honor the legacy of the past, we are also being called to chart a bold course forward. The lessons of the retreat are directly shaping how I lead: with greater attentiveness to the voices in our community, with deeper alignment to our mission, and with a strong commitment to strategic growth that reflects our values.
To further explore and celebrate this foundation, I will be sharing a series of blog reflections over the course of the year. Each entry will focus on one of the Seven Hallmarks and will offer insight into how that value is alive at Maryvale today—and how it will guide us into the future. These reflections are for all of us—students, parents, employees, alumnae, and friends—as we continue to build a community rooted in faith, courage, and care.
These writings will also serve as a bridge between our rich heritage and the exciting road ahead, especially as we prepare to launch a new Strategic Plan in 2026. We are dreaming boldly, planning thoughtfully, and ensuring that the Hallmarks are not only preserved but amplified in the years to come.
In this 80th year, I invite you to walk with me through these reflections. Let us honor the light that has guided Maryvale since 1945 and commit ourselves to carrying it forward—brightly and boldly—into the decades to come.
Malika DeLancey
President, Maryvale Preparatory School
