BISHOP McNAMARA HIGH SCHOOL 2025-2026 SCHOOL PROFILE
BMHS MISSION To educate hearts and minds in a dynamic, inclusive Catholic school community rooted in the Holy Cross tradition.
A HOLY CROSS TRADITION 6800 Marlboro Pike Forestville, MD 20747 (301) 735-8401 School Code: 210532 www.bmhs.org
ADMINISTRATION John Barnhardt, Ed.D. President/CEO Dian Carter Principal
COUNSELING STAFF Terry Burroughs, Jr. Director of School & College Counseling Junior & Senior Counselor 301.735.8401, ext. 140 terry.burroughs@bmhs.org Dr. Keana Schoennagle Assistant Director of School & College Counseling, Junior & Senior Counselor 301.735.8401, ext. 144 keana.schoennagle@bmhs.org Cherese Howard Junior & Senior Counselor 301.735.8401, ext. 145 cherese.howard@bmhs.org Michael J. Jones ’96 Freshman & Sophomore Counselor 301.735.8401, ext. 143 michael.jones@bmhs.org Cherese Carter Freshman & Sophomore Counselor 301.735.8401, ext. 146 cherese.carter@bmhs.org Charaia Taylor Counseling Office Manager 301.735.8401, ext. 141 charaia.taylor@bmhs.org
Bishop McNamara High School is an independent Catholic, college-preparatory school, founded in 1962 and proudly rooted in the Holy Cross tradition. Located in Prince George’s County, Maryland—just 15 minutes from downtown Washington, D.C.—our mission is to educate hearts and minds while forming ethical leaders and compassionate citizens. Guided by an independent Board of Directors, our school integrates faith, academic excellence, leadership, and service across a dynamic curriculum supported by two academic deans and expert department chairs. Each year, students complete more than 25 hours of service, embodying our values of Educating Minds & Hearts, Being Family, Bringing Hope, and Building Respect. Our diverse student body of 900 comes from over 180 elementary and middle schools across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. With a selective 40% acceptance rate and 60% of students receiving financial aid, McNamara reflects the rich cultural and socioeconomic diversity of our region. Last year, 100% of graduates were accepted into college, with 99% matriculating and earning over $31 million in scholarships and aid. McNamara is widely recognized for excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts. Seventy-five percent of students participate in the arts—including our nationally recognized Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement program—while over 55% compete in athletics, producing numerous Division I athletes each year. Our graduates are resilient leaders, grounded in faith, artistry, and service, inspiring hope for a better tomorrow.
STUDENTS: ■ 900 students ■ Average Class Size: 20 ■ Student/Faculty Ratio: 11:1
GRADUATION PROFILE: ■ 4 Year Colleges & Universities: 96% ■ Public: 65% ■ Independent: 20% ■ Catholic: 15% • 2 Year Colleges: 2% • Other: 2%
FACULTY & ADMINISTRATION: ■ 81 teaching faculty & administration ■ 18 years average teaching experience ■ 62% with Advanced degrees
ACADEMIC PROGRAM AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: ■ 230+ Courses Offered ■ STEM Courses such as Engineering, Robotics, Design & Fabrication, and Cybersecurity ■ 23 Advanced Placement Courses ■ 51 Honors Courses ■ 4 Modern & Classical Languages ■ Unique Elective Courses ■ Over 35 teams at the Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshman levels ■ Over 50 Clubs, Societies, and Organizations ■ Sankofa Program - Traditional African Dance elements and cultural heritage ■ Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement (FADE) serves to refine students’ talent and skill, cultivate a community of respect, appreciation, and understanding of the arts, and acknowledge students’ dedication to the Fine Arts ■ Campus Ministry - strives to carry out the vision of the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Blessed Father Basil Moreau, C.S.C. “to make God known, loved, and served”. ■ Each year, students participate in service-learning. The requirement consists of a combination of school sponsored events, grade-wide activities, projects, and reflection opportunities.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS English
4.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mathematics
4.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Social Studies
4.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Theology
4.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Science
3.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Electives
2.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Modern & Classical Languages
2.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Health & Physical Education
1.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fine Arts
1.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Technology & Engineering
1.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Gateway Seminar
0.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total 27 credits Please note that community service hours are required in all years at Bishop McNamara High School.
GRADING SCALE GRADE
Letter
NUMERICAL EQUIVALENT
Range
College Prep
Honors
A.P.
89 - 87
3.5
4.0
4.5
A
100 - 90
B
86 - 80
B+ C+ C
D F
GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)
79 - 77 76 - 70 69 - 65 64 - 00
4.0 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.0 0.0
4.5
5.0
3.5
4.0
3.0
3.5
2.5
3.0
1.5
2.0
0.0
0.0
ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEST SCORES 24-25 Total AP Students
221
Number Of Exams
401
% of Total AP Students with one or more score of 3 or higher
65%