Summer 2026 View from The Bay

Bay View is proud to celebrate the Class of 2026 - 36 young women who leave us having earned 228 college acceptances and more than $7 million in merit scholarships and grants from institutions across the country.

The numbers tell a story of well-rounded, driven young women. Every graduate participated in at least one club or extracurricular activity, and over 80% held part-time employment during their academic careers - balancing real-world responsibility alongside rigorous academics. Thirty of 36 students played at least one sport, with 25 competing at the varsity level and one student-athlete committing to NCAA competition. Fourteen students were inducted into the National Honor Society.

Leading the class academically are two students from East Greenwich. Valedictorian Mia Forbes joined Bay View as a junior, quickly becoming an engaged member of the school community and a contributor on the athletic field. She will attend Brown University to study biology with an interest in medicine. Salutatorian Lily Tremble, a performing arts community member and Public Health and Life Sciences Scholar will attend the University of Maryland, College Park, where she will major in biology: physiology and neurobiology. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 - may the next chapter be as remarkable as the last four years!

 

Bay View recently celebrated two outstanding alumnae and welcomed a remarkable new member to its community - three women whose lives embody the values Bay View works to instill in every graduate: compassion, principled leadership, and an unwavering commitment to service.

Alison Croke ’90, was named Outstanding Alumna of the Year. As President and CEO of Wood River Health, Alison has built a career around accessible, compassionate care for all, especially those on the margins. Her voice for dignity and respect has defined her professionally, but her connection to Bay View runs even deeper. Alison has given generously of her time and wisdom as a Board member and Board Chair, helping shape the school's strategic vision and champion the philanthropy that secures its future. She leads, as Bay View graduates are called to do, with integrity and empathy in equal measure.

Emily Marshall ‘18 was honored as Emerging Leader of the Year. As Communications Director for the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing, Emily works daily on the front lines of the state's housing insecurity and homelessness crisis, and she doesn't stop there. In her personal time, she promotes inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities through Best Buddies and advocates for substance use disorder prevention and recovery through the Bristol Prevention Committee. What unites all of it is a simple conviction: behind every decision is a person, and that person deserves to be seen.

Bay View’s 150th Commencement brought another deeply meaningful moment: the welcome of Barbara A. Papitto as an honorary alumna of the Class of 2026. Barbara is herself a graduate of a Mercy school, Saint Xavier Academy, and has carried that tradition of service forward throughout her life. Through her foundation, the Papitto Opportunity Connection, she has championed initiatives that open doors for young people.

Her impact on Bay View has been profound and lasting. A steadfast believer in the power of an all-girls Catholic education, Barbara has helped ensure that future generations of Bay View students have access to the exceptional formation the school is known for. Her generosity is perhaps most visibly reflected in the Barbara A. Papitto Science & Innovation Center - a state-of-the-art facility housing nine labs and lecture halls - which stands as a testament to her vision for what young women can achieve when given the right tools and opportunities.

A woman of deep faith who lives her values daily, Barbara exemplifies everything Bay View hopes to send into the world with each graduating class. It was only fitting that at this year's Commencement, she was invited to join that class herself.

 

Summer at Bay View offers a vibrant, welcoming summer experience designed to engage, inspire, and support girls across a wide range of ages and interests. Rooted in the school’s Mercy values, the camp emphasizes creativity, confidence-building, and meaningful connection in a safe and nurturing environment. Our camp programs are designed to meet the unique needs and interests of each age group.

Cells & Clues: Science Lab Institute (Full-Day)

These one-week summer camps invite middle and upper school students into hands-on exploration of anatomy and forensics through engaging labs and real-world applications. From studying the human body’s systems to solving mock crimes with techniques like fingerprinting and toxicology, students build critical thinking, problem-solving, and laboratory skills in an interactive, curiosity-driven environment.

Middle School offerings are open to students entering Grades 6 through 8 and focus on exploration, skill-building, and connection during these formative years.

Upper School programs are designed for students entering Grades 9 through 12, providing more advanced, interest-driven experiences that encourage independence, leadership, and deeper engagement in specialized areas.

Camps are running from Monday, July 6, to Friday, July 31!

1-Week, Full-Day Session (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) - $275/week

Learn more here.

 

On a recent morning at Bay View's Lower School, something unusual happened. Third, fourth, and fifth graders were lining up - not for lunch or recess, but to vote.

The election was the brainchild of three Bay View seniors: Zoe Clay of Warwick, Ariana Bobiak of Seekonk, MA, and Sophie Roda of Johnston. As participants in the Rhode Island Civic Leadership Program, a year-long nonpartisan initiative created by Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, the girls were tasked with turning civic education into something real and memorable. They delivered.

The trio designed a hands-on curriculum from scratch, then brought it directly to their younger schoolmates. The mock election had everything: candidate speeches, a working voting machine, and - perhaps most importantly - "I Voted" stickers. After the polls closed, the seniors led a follow-up discussion, fielding questions and encouraging the younger students to keep learning about why their voices matter.

In May, Zoe, Ariana, and Sophie were honored with Certificates of Civic Excellence at a State House celebration. But the real reward may have been simpler - a room full of eight-year-olds who now know exactly what it feels like to cast a vote.

 

Seventeen Bay View students were recognized at this year's Rhode Island Art Education Association Anchor Awards, acelebration of outstanding student achievement across photography, drawing, digital arts, sculpture, fashion and accessories, ceramics, and mixed media. Selected from a competitive pool of submissions from across Rhode Island, each honoree was chosen for their creativity, technical skill, and artistic vision.

Leading the way was Peyton Weijlard '26 of Warwick, who walked away with an extraordinary six awards - including the National Gold Key and NE Gold Key from the Scholastic Arts Awards, an NE Silver Key, an NE Honorable Mention, and an Anchor Award. Peyton's submissions reflect both the breadth and depth of her artistic talent, as students were permitted to submit multiple pieces across disciplines.

The RIAEA Anchor Awards have long served as one of Rhode Island's premier stages for young artists, and this year Bay View's students made their presence known. Congratulations to all seventeen honorees on this well-deserved recognition.