At Hockaday, we seek to develop young women who can help initiate and guide the direction of our rapidly changing society rather than merely respond to changes set forth by others. In order to accomplish this, we must nurture the vision, independence, and courage of our young women.

In preparing citizens for a democratic society, we seek to teach students to be discerning in the recognition of truth and to be responsible to both themselves and to the greater community. Finally, we want to engender in our girls a love of life and of learning.
During 1963, because of high scholastic standing, The Hockaday School was granted the first chapter of The Cum Laude Society in Texas. The Cum Laude Society is the organization into which students in Forms III and IV, maintaining a grade point average of 3.3 or higher, may be inducted. Membership is by invitation only.