PRESIDENT’S PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MESSAGE Your generosity transforms lives. Each gift enables us to fulfill our mission, delivering a Catholic education that inspires discovery, fosters innovation, and motivates service. The values you see highlighted in this report communicate our mission. At MDS, we prioritize both what students achieve and who they are becoming. Guided by high standards and strong support, we nurture greatness, shaping leaders of character and compassion. As you review this report, we hope you see the impact of your investment. In February, we will unveil a strategic plan guiding the next five years, including our 150th anniversary celebration. Thank you for believing in the Cavaliers, creating opportunities, and investing in a future where excellence thrives and values endure. Forever de Sales,
2023-2024 IMPACT REPORT
Brendan O’Kane President, Mount de Sales Academy
N O TA TAB L E H I G H L I G H T S
Joshua’s Wish Foundation • Greek Festival • Ocmulgee Alive River Clean-Up • Fall Festivals at St. Joseph’s, St. Peter Claver, and Sacred Heart School • SJS Breakfast with Santa • SJS Science Night • Sacred Heart School Rosary • Central Georgia Catholic Parishes • Daybreak Ministries • Kids Yule Love • Kolbe Center • Loaves and Fishes • Jay’s Hope • Backpack Ministries • Ronald McDonald House • Macon Animal Shelter • St. Francis Inn • St. Vincent de Paul Society • Friends of the Library Old Book Sale • Boy Scouts of America • Brookdale Resource Center • Tubman Museum • Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences
FINANCIAL REPORT REVENUE & SUPPORT
Your gifts to the Spirit of Mercy Annual Fund positively impact our students, faculty, programs, and mission. Thank you for making an excellent education possible.
COMPELLED BY
ercy
EDUCATIONAL COURAGE
Sisters of Mercy Remembrance Project
10,992
hours of service in the community through our Mercy in Action program CHURCH
10%
INSPIRED BY FAITH
SCHOOL
45%
45% COMMUNITY
Watch Julia’s speech on the Spirit of Mercy
Retired four-star admiral William McRaven was the keynote speaker for the honor code assembly, where students, faculty, and staff recommitted themselves to act with honor and integrity.
26
College-level courses taught on campus
468
hours of college credit earned
of AP test takers scored 3+ for college credit
“Mercy is not stagnant here. It is not an occasional donation or volunteer hour here and there. It is the constant burning ember of this school. It glows in every door held open, every student helped, every wave hello, every fight song chanted, every class discussion, and every mind invigorated by the possibilities of a life lived with kindness as an unwavering principle.” - Julia Byron, Class of 2025
Recipients of the Mercy in Action Exemplary Service Award collectively logged 1,182 hours. Additionally, six students earned over 200 service hours, and 24 students earned over 100 hours. New: Mercy Day Prayer Service and blessing of the twelfth and sixth grade classes.
65% $8.5M
earned in scholarships (excluding HOPE)
92
3.8
Average GPA for colleges in 28 class of states accepted 2024 MDS applicants
The Literary Team won the 2024 GISA AAA State Literary Championship.
The sophomore class and members of the Jackson Springs Garden Club and Holy Spirit Catholic Church cleaned the markers of the Sisters of Mercy buried in Riverside Cemetery. In honor of these Sisters, a handmade concrete rose was placed on each marker. New: ”Thursday Thoughts” assembly led by Campus Minister Fr. Casey Cole, who shares spiritual perspective and guidance on topics relative to adolescents.
The University accepted only 37% of total applicants.
New: Professional development using “Outsmart Your Brain” by Dr. Daniel Willingham as a guide to help students grow as lifelong learners, followed by “Lessons on Learning” sessions to help students develop skills to retain and process information. New: Financial Literacy, Dante’s Divine Comedy (H), and Film Appreciation & Production courses were added to the curriculum.
Brendan O’Kane hired as President
A VOICE FOR DIGNITY & RESPECT
**Summary of Contributions: Mission trip to the St. Francis Inn dedicated to serving the poor and homeless in Philadelphia.
Freshmen
examined the impact food insecurity and poverty have on American families and how we are called through scripture to support our “neighbors.”
Carsten Franklin named Dean of Students
New: Adoration Chapel for upper school students to pray with their Theology classes.
Annual Fund Unrestricted Restricted Scholarship Fund In-Kind and other gifts Total Contributions
$279,169 $1,801,556 $226,704 $1,329 $2,308,758
EXPENSES
Sophomores
looked at the world through the eyes of Mr. Fred Rogers and Sisters of Mercy founder, Catherine McAuley. They identified ways we address each other with compassion and recognize the dignity of each individual.
Juniors
Kaylee Freeman (2010) hired as Middle School Division Head
59% $4,935,393 Tuition & Student Fees $36,991 Auxiliary Revenues* 1% $97,061 Athletic Revenues 1% $2,308,758 Contributions** 28% $929,265 Other Revenues 11% $8,307,468 Total
studied Laudato Si, Pope Francis’ encyclical on environmental care, and identified ways to enhance earth stewardship. They made home improvements for elderly residents in partnership with Rebuilding Macon.
Seniors
examined the power of hate and how to combat it at every level. They heard first-hand accounts of the Holocaust from a survivor at The Bremen Museum: Jewish Culture & History Center in Atlanta.
83%
of MDS applicants who applied to the University of Georgia were accepted.
PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP
Save the Date! The Academy’s 150th Anniversary Celebration begins February 28, 2026!
65% 11% 20% 4%
$4,781,280 Instructional $815,969 Athletics $1,515,323 General & Administrative $287,998 Fundraising $7,400,570 Total $906,898
Increase in Net Assets Before Depreciation
A complete copy of the Financial Statement for 2024 is available upon request.
UP & COMING... Five-Year Strategic Vision & Plan Judge Betty Willis Ruben Center for Global Studies Mount de Sales Joins Mercer On Mission Robotics Lab for the Upper School Summer Career Exploration Program Students travel to the Galápagos in 2025 and France in 2026 St. Joseph Catholic School will serve students in 2K-5th grades Georgia Promise Scholarships