The Yass Prize, in partnership with The Center for Education Reform (CER) and Forbes, announced the 2024 Yass Prize $1 million winner and four finalists that make up the final cohort of the pathbreaking initiative - and St. Mary’s Academy was named as one of the finalists of this prestigious award. 

Together, with the 20 Semifinalists announced last week which are each receiving a $200,000 STOP Award, the awardees will receive a total of $7 million. 

The coveted Yass Prize – known as the Pulitzer of Education – finds, rewards, and celebrates education providers that exemplify Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless (STOP) education opportunities in every sector and every state.

As one of the oldest African-American schools in the nation founded to serve young women of color, St. Mary’s Academy was chosen as a semifinalist last week, and following a trip to New York to meet with a cohort of 25 education leaders, President Pamela Rogers brought home a $500,000 prize for The Academy. 

“I am overwhelmed with excitement to represent St. Mary’s Academy and all of its students, faculty, and staff on this national stage and bring home the coveted Yass Prize. This journey has been two years in the making and I am beyond proud that we are finalists this year,” said Pamela M. Rogers, President of St. Mary’s Academy. “We were among some of the most innovative and forward-thinking educational institutions and organizations, and it was exciting to meet everyone and share the Maryite Way with them.” 

“This group exemplifies the essence of the STOP principles, operating across diverse sectors and landscapes to deliver students the 21st-century quality education their parents want and they deserve to receive,” said Yass Prize founder Janine Yass. “We are so proud to honor and support them.”

The $500,000 Yass Prize will go towards accelerating the educational experience of each student at St. Mary’s Academy today and in the future. For more information on St. Mary’s Academy’s journey toward the Yass Prize, visit https://yassprize.org/awardees/st-marys-academy/.