MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY FOR GIRLS
Celebrating 175 years of Academic Excellence in the Catholic Tradition
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Centered on JesusMChrist MISSION STATE ENT and faithful to the teaching of the Catholic Church, Mount de Sales Academy offers young women aoncollege preparatory education promof otes of the whole Anchored in faith rooted Centered Jesus Christ and faithful to the that teaching theflourishing Catholic Church, Mountperson. de Sales Academy offersand young in the Visitation Dominican traditions, thepromotes community of Mountofde Academy is committed to academic women a collegeand preparatory education that flourishing theSales whole person. Anchored in faith and rooted virtuous integrity, compassionate service, and inherent dignity of the human person.to academic inexcellence, the Visitation and Dominican traditions, the community of the Mount de Sales Academy is committed 2 excellence, virtuous integrity, compassionate service, and the inherent dignity of the human person.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT MOUNT DE SALES
460 10:1 Students
Student to Teacher Ratio
30+
16
Average Class Size
Honors Classes
AP Courses
6
Clubs & Activities
Dominican Sisters in Administration & Faculty
100%
Students come from
College Application & Acceptance Rate
39 15
94
Zip Codes
3
TOP 10 WAYS MDSA ELEVATES CATHOLIC EDUCATION THE DOMINICAN DIFFERENCE The Dominican Sisters inspire with joyful service and faith.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Innovative Catholic education for lifelong success.
THE MOUNT DE SALES CONFIDENCE Empowering girls as confident, compassionate leaders. STRONG SISTERHOOD, TRADITIONS, AND VIBRANT HISTORY Mount de Sales fosters lifelong bonds, promoting a supportive community. DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE PERSON Mount de Sales nurtures holistic growth, shaping resilient, principled young women.
Accredited by Association of Independent Maryland and D.C. Schools (AIMS) and Middle States Association
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LEADERSHIP, CHARACTER, AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT Mount de Sales nurtures holistic growth, shaping resilient, principled young women. CARING AND COMMITTED FACULTY AND STAFF Dedicated faculty fosters personalized learning in small classes. FAITH-FILLED AND DEDICATED COMMUNITY Innovative Catholic education for lifelong success.
CHAPEL AT THE CENTER OF THE SCHOOL The chapel embodies our Catholic identity, nurturing community, belonging, and love. BEAUTIFUL AND HISTORIC CAMPUS A historic campus enriches student experience with appreciation for history and culture.
LEARN ABOUT THE DOMINICAN DIFFERENCE AT MDSA
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ACADEMICS Four levels of classes are offered at Mount de Sales Academy: College Preparatory Level 1: offered for those students needing skill development in English or Math as they build up to the Level 2 program. College Preparatory Level 2: offered for those students performing at grade level in a college preparatory environment.
Honors: available for students performing above grade level who seek a greater level of challenge and a more demanding workload. Advanced Placement: available for those sophomore, junior, and senior students who wish to undertake a rigorous college-level workload with the hope of gaining college credit. Students in AP courses are required to take examinations given by the College Board in the spring.
Honor Societies:
MDSA Graduation Requirements
International Thespian Honor Society
English Credits 4
National Art Honor Society
Religion Credits 4
National English Honor Society
Mathematics Credits 4
National French Honor Society
Lab Science Credits 3
National History Honor Society
Social Science Credits 3
National Honor Society
Foreign Language Credits 2
National Honor Society for Dance Arts
Philosophy Credits 2
National Latin Honor Society
Elective Credits 2
National Mathematics Honor Society
Fine Arts Credit 1
National Spanish Honor Society
Physical Education Credit 1
Science National Honor Society Tri-M Music Honor Society MDSA Grading Scale A 92-100
C 70-76
A- 90-91
D+ 67-69
B+ 87-89
D 65-66
B 80-86
F 64 and lower
C+ 77-79 6
ACADEMIC POINTS OF PRIDE • MDSA course catalog includes 39 Honors classes and 15 AP courses as well as 20 Fine Arts opportunities. • 43 AP Scholars • 98% of students who took AP exams in 2026 scored 3 or higher (on at least 1 AP exam), exceeding the Maryland and global averages. • 95% of AP exams taken in 2026 scored 3 or higher. • 12 Knott Scholars
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COURSES ENGLISH
MATH
FINE ARTS
Literary Genre Survey I
Algebra I
Fundamentals of Art
Literary Genre Survey II
Geometry
Graphic Communications
American Literature
Algebra II
Honors Portfolio
AP English - Language & Composition
Statistics
Honors Advanced Portfolio
British Literature
Precalculus
Honors Independent Portfolio
AP English - Literature
Calculus
AP Art & Design: Drawing
Creative Writing: Various Genres
AP Calculus AB
Form and Sculpture
Study of the Holocaust
AP Calculus BC
Fiber Arts
African American Literature
AP Statistics
Yearbook
Faith and Culture Seminar
Personal Finance
Acting 1
History of Mathematics
Honors Acting Ensemble
College Algebra with Trigonometry
Theatre Arts
RELIGION Scripture and Doctrine Sacraments and Morality
SCIENCE
Christology and Discipleship
Biology
Apologetics and the Call to Holiness
AP Biology Chemistry
PHILOSOPHY Philosophy of the Human Person Introduction to Ethics Applied Ethics
Anatomy & Physiology Environmental Science Marine Science
Honors Concert Choir Symphonic Orchestra Honors Advanced Orchestra Honors Chamber Ensemble Dance Fundamentals Ballet Technique Modern Dance Honors Dance Company
Philosophy Seminar
Forensic Science
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Physics
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Honors Research in STEM
Western Civilization
STEM Explorations
American Government
Introduction to Computer Science
United States History
AP Computer Science A
AP United States History
French I, II, III, IV AP French Latin I, II, III, IV, V Spanish I, II, III, IV AP Spanish
SACRED HEART
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Sacred Heart Seminar
Physical Education
Sacred Heart Coach
Modern United States History AP U.S. Government and Politics AP World History Geography and Global Issues
Health
Psychology
Dance Fitness
AP Psychology
Lifetime Fitness
Introduction to Economics
Conditioning for Athletes
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AP Chemistry
Chorus
STUDENT SUPPORT School and College Counseling are an integral part of every student’s experience at Mount de Sales. Counselors work with all students individually, in small groups, and in the classroom to support them in their academic, personal, social, and emotional growth and college/career readiness. Counselors take a collaborative approach with school community members, creating programming that is developmentally appropriate and addresses students’ unique needs.
The Sacred Heart Program The Sacred Heart Program provides academic support through small group and individualized instruction in executive skills to meet the needs of college-bound students with diagnosed mild learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD. The primary goals of the program are to enable each of our students to discover her learning strengths, build on these gifts, and become a strong advocate for her own education. Accommodations provided are individualized to the needs of each student in the program and based on a full educationalpsychological evaluation.
SH students make up 12% of student body at MDSA Average Seminar Class Size: 4-6 students Percent of SH students who applied to four-year colleges accepted to at least one: 100% since 2017
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College Matriculation
OF THE CL ASS OF 2026
Anne Arundel Community College
Michigan State University
Troy University
Barton College
Mount St. Mary’s University
Bryant University
North Carolina A&T State University
United States Coast Guard Academy
Clemson University
Oregon State University
Community College of Baltimore County
Post University
Florida International University Franciscan University of Steubenville Gettysburg College Haverford College High Point University Howard Community College Ithaca College Jacksonville University Kansas State University Loyola University Maryland Marist University Marymount University McDaniel College
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Providence College Saint Francis University Saint Joseph’s University Saint Vincent College Salisbury University
United States Naval Academy University of Dallas University of Delaware University of Kentucky University of Mary University of Maryland, Baltimore County
St. Bonaventure University
University of Maryland, College Park
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
University of Mississippi
Stevenson University
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Syracuse University Tallahassee State College The Catholic University of America The University of Scranton The University of Tennessee Towson University
University of Notre Dame University of Pennsylvania University of South Carolina West Virginia University Widener University
College Counseling College Counseling helps students to look within themselves for clues as to what will be important in the search for an appropriate post-high school experience. The objectives are to address individual college needs and ensure that each Mount de Sales student is an active, energetic and investigative participant in the process. Starting in junior year, Mount de Sales students and their families will work with the college counselor to navigate the college process. This includes: • Annual Mount de Sales Academy & Mount Saint Joseph College High School College Fair • Junior College Visit Day • Individual Meetings and Group Lessons with College Counselor
• College Essay & Application Workshops
• Use of Naviance Family Connection • Guidance on Choosing Best Plan for Standardized Testing • Visits & Presentations by College Representatives • Each family is given a handbook on the College Process at • Financial Aid Night Mount de Sales.
O F T H E C L ASS O F 2 0 2 6
ACCOMPLISMENTS
HEADING TO
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• Informational Parent Coffees for Junior & Senior Parents
states across the U.S.
MATRICULATING AT
53
colleges and universities
73%
completed 1 OR MORE
AP exams
$ Military Academy Acceptances
100%
COLLEGE APPLICATION AND
acceptance
93% 16
WERE OFFERED merit scholarships
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14
Catholic universities
TOTAL HOURS OF
ATHLETES playing at
the collegiate level
$ scholarships total MILLION DOLLARS
ATTENDING
93%
attending a four year school
Christian service:
12,430
43
AP
SCHOLARS
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Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education Over its 174-year history, Mount de Sales Academy has evolved to meet the challenges of the modern world while remaining rooted in the Catholic liberal arts tradition. Historically, the liberal arts approach emphasized a basis in grammar, logic, rhetoric, and general knowledge across disciplines. Modern American colleges echo this comprehensive knowledge by requiring core classes in each academic discipline before students narrow into a major. MDSA’s curriculum infuses young women with a solid foundation in Catholic theology, mathematics, lab sciences, English, social sciences, philosophy, fine arts, health, and physical education. She has opportunities to complete 15 college-level AP courses, study computer science, compose college-level literary reviews, design and execute STEM-based research projects, and creatively express herself in advanced performing and visual arts courses. The Philosophy program complements the academic mission by training students to seek truth, pursue the good, appreciate what is beautiful, and engage in discourse. At the same time, that indelible yearning for God is nurtured through the exploration of Scripture and Sacred Tradition, growth in personal spirituality, and connection to the Sacraments. A 2027 Sailor will leave MDSA college-ready and prepared to develop her God-given talents. Our alumnae are engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs, doctors, writers, Olympians, astronauts, religious sisters, mothers, and laypersons. And in all places, they stand out for their minds, hearts, and actions. Sailors think well, read well, write well, speak well, and do well. That is a testament that we are proud to carry into future generations. Summarized article from Laura O’Friel, VP of Academic Affairs
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Typical Freshman Schedule Literary Genre Survey I (English)
Spanish, French or Latin (Foreign Language)
Western Civilization (Social Science)
Scripture and Doctrine (Religion)
Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II (Mathematics)
Intro to Philosophy (Philosophy)
Biology (Science)
Fine Arts class or P.E./Health class (Elective)
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STUDEN TREASURED MDSA
TRADITIONS Big Sisters/Little Sisters
CLUBS 25+ ACADEMIC, LEADERSHIP, AND SPECIAL INTEREST CLUBS INCLUDE:
Academy Ambassadors Art Club
Freshman Medal Mass
Athletes Anchored in Faith
Sophomore Pin Mass
Drama Club
Junior Ring Mass
Dream Club Medical Club
Homecoming and Dances
Mock Trial
Class Retreats
Newspaper/Publication Club
Spirit Days and Spirit Cup
Robotics Club Sodality
Twisted Tunes Senior Father-Daughter Dance Senior Mother-Daughter Tea May Procession Baccalaureate Mass Graduation
TRAVEL PROVIDING STUDENT TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES IS AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE AT MDSA. TRIPS HAVE INCLUDED:
Italy Portugal/Spain New York Nashville
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NT LIFE The school spirit at Mount de Sales Academy is evidenced by three characteristics: mutual respect, personal responsibility, and support for one another and for the school as a whole. These qualities help to build and nurture a sense of belonging for every Mount de Sales girl. Each student’s contribution is valued as important to passing on the spirit of Mount de Sales Academy.
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Anchored in Faith Learning and living the Catholic faith, and participating in its liturgical and sacramental life, is at the center of the mission lived out daily at Mount de Sales Academy. Students have an open invitation to keep Our Lord at the center of their lives by visiting the Chapel of St. Francis de Sales, appropriately located in the center of the school.
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RELIGIOUS OPP ORTUNITIES INCLUDE: • First Friday All-School Masses • Monthly Reconciliation & Adoration • Vibrant Campus Ministry • Daily Prayer • Annual Retreats • Living Rosary • Youth Conferences & Retreats • Mercy Nights • Pro-Life Marches
SERVICE Charity is the greatest of all virtues, and we encourage every Mount de Sales student to give of herself in order to draw closer to the heart of Christ. Students discover their gifts and the joy of giving as they practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy within the Mount de Sales community, in the surrounding region, and even beyond our borders. Each student completes a minimum of 75 hours of person-to-person service to the underserved and underprivileged by the time of her graduation. The goal is to cultivate a lifelong commitment to Christian service in imitation of Jesus who went to the margins to serve the most poor and vulnerable. MDSA’s Campus Minister and Service Coordinator identify service opportunities throughout the year and work with students to ensure successful completion of service requirements.
SERVICE OPP ORTUNITIES INCLUDE: • Playing games with the elderly at nursing homes • Preparing meals for the homeless • Adopting families for Christmas • Organizing clothing and food donation drives • Serving lunch and dinner at a soup kitchen • Tutoring younger students 17
FINE ARTS Mount de Sales offers classes in visual arts, theatre, dance, choral music, instrumental music, and graphic communication. Sharing real-world experience and passion, the fine arts faculty encourages their students to identify and refine their talents.
Visual Arts One goal with our visual arts students is to help them understand why their instinctive skills are able to create beautiful quality works and what concepts are at play when they create and design. Mount de Sales graduates attend some of the nation’s most outstanding art institutions and have gone on to major in medical illustration, graphic design, animation, illustration, architecture and industrial design.
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Theatre and Dramatic Arts Housed in the campus’ stunning St. Cecilia Center, drama classes provide opportunities to develop both performance technique and technical skills. The curriculum promotes self-awareness, confidence, and the use of careful analysis for expressive choices.
Music
Dance
Vocal and instrumental music courses cultivate appreciation for a wide variety of musical genres and traditions. Students work to advance the technical skills necessary to become proficient and confident performers while also reinforcing the tools necessary to read music effectively.
Dance students at Mount de Sales acquire technique skills through participation in a variety of classical and contemporary dance forms. Students have the opportunity to create dance by learning and applying current trends in composition. Dance program alumnae have studied at prestigious college dance programs, such as University of the Arts and Towson University, as well as joined internationally renowned dance companies.
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ATHLETICS Backed by outstanding coaches, exceptional facilities, and a tradition of competitive excellence, Sailor athletes are challenged to pursue personal bests while they celebrate victories together, learn from setbacks, build lifelong friendships, and discover the joy that comes from being part of something bigger than themselves. The Sailors are charter members of the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (IAAM).
More than 50% of Mount de Sales students participate in the athletic program.
FALL SPORTS
WINTER SPORTS
SPRING SPORTS
Cheerleading (V)
Basketball (JV & V)
Golf (V)
Cross Country (V)
Cheerleading (V)
Lacrosse (JV & V)
Field Hockey (JV & V)
Indoor Track & Field (V) Outdoor Track & Field (V)
Mountain Bike (V)
Swimming (V)
Soccer (JV & V) Tennis (JV & V) Volleyball (JV & V)
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Softball (JV & V)
RECENT SAILOR CHAMPIONSHIPS Spring 2026 Lacrosse IAAM B Conference Champions Fall 2025 Cross Country IAAM A Conference Champions Fall 2025 Tennis IAAM B Conference Co-Champions Spring 2025 Lacrosse IAAM B Conference Champions Winter 2025 Basketball IAAM B Conference Champions RECENT ATHLETICS ACCOLADES Eric Dummann 2025-2026 Maryland State Athletic Directors Association District X (IAAM) Athletic Director of the Year Amy Buck Donahue '95 P'26 2026 IAAM Lacrosse Coach of the Year Mike Duffy P'27 2026 IAAM Golf Coach of the Year
DISTANCE IS NO OBSTACLE! Our students come from:
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ZIP CODES
BUS SERVICE MDSA offers bus transportation with current routes in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, and Howard counties. CARPOOLS Mount de Sales helps enrolled families coordinate carpools by providing a carpool request form in the spring each year.
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FINANCIAL INFORMATION TUITION The Board of Trustees and Administration of Mount de Sales are committed to keeping Catholic education affordable. We offer need-based financial aid and a variety of scholarships to ensure our school remains accessible to young women everywhere. We also accept scholarships from third parties, such as parish organizations.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CLASS OF 2031 St. Francis de Sales Scholarship St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship Anchor Scholarship St. Cecilia Music Scholarship Fra Angelico Art Scholarship
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$20,800 Tuition for 2026-27
St. Martin de Porres Scholarship
$5,200 Sacred Heart Program Fees for 2026-27
Guardians of Life Scholarship Semper Fi Scholarship
APPLICATION ADMISSIONS TIMELINE
Important Dates 8TH GRADE SAILOR VISITS September 21 - December 4 OPEN HOUSE Sunday, November 1, 2026
HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST Various Dates in November APPLICATION DEADLINE Friday, December 11, 2026 SCHOLARSHIP & FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION DEADLINE Friday, December 11, 2026 APPLICANT INTERVIEWS January 7-9, 2027 NOTIFICATION DAY Thursday, February 18, 2027
Contact the MDSA Admissions Team at admissions@mountdesales.org
ACCEPTED SAILORS NIGHT Monday, March 1, 2027 REGISTRATION DEADLINE Friday, March 5, 2027 Mount de Sales Academy for Girls does not discriminate on the basis of race, color or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policy, athletic or other school administered programs. When applying, applicants “understand and acknowledge that receiving the application does not constitute a commitment by Mount de Sales Academy, and that Mount de Sales Academy may deny admission if they determine that enrollment of the Applicant in the Academy would not be appropriate.” All acceptances are conditional upon the successful completion of eighth grade. All decisions regarding the acceptance of a student into Mount de Sales Academy are done with the highest emphasis placed on what is in the best interest of the individual girl. 23
MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY FOR GIRLS 700 Academy Road Catonsville, MD 21228 MountdeSales.org