Her journey into education began at Slingerland District school, and then after spending nine years there, she went on to The Milne School in Albany, NY in which she graduated as valedictorian in 1905.[1] Between classes, she spent much of her free time exploring the outdoors, where she developed a love and curiosity for Lower Devonian rocks.[5] Following this, she enrolled in Wellesley College, a school for women, with an intended major in classical languages before developing a love for science.[2] She attained her Bachelors in 1909 and her Masters in 1912, while also obtaining graduate work at Harvard University.[5] Finishing her education at Johns Hopkins University in 1921.[5]