We know what we believe in.

We believe in academic excellence. We believe learning is more than just a classroom. We believe in the importance of teamwork. Creating a community. Celebrating our faith. We believe in a rich tradition. We believe in you.

Mount St. Mary Academy, founded by the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, is a Catholic,

private, college preparatory school for young women. Within a nurturing and

academically challenging environment, the Academy strives to develop the whole person.

Guided by our Catholic tradition, and rooted in Gospel values, we educate young women

dedicated to lifelong learning, moral integrity and service to and acceptance of others.

Mount St. Mary Academy continues the educational and spiritual vision of the Sisters

of St. Mary of Namur, who, “In simplicity and joy have offered all to God.”

A PLACE TO CALL HOMEAt Mount St. Mary Academy, our students discover a true home away from home. Situated on a five acre campus, we offer a nurturing and safe environment for girls to call their own.

• The library is open to students every day during and after school. This is a great spot to get started on a research paper, join a study group, or curl up next to the fireplace with a good e-book!

• Our 1,100-seat symphonically correct auditorium —fashioned after Kleinhan’s Music Hall in Buffalo—is equipped for full-stage productions and used throughout the year for MSM events including graduation.

• Our full-size gymnasium, plus wellness center, provides ample space for our Thunder athletes to compete and hundreds of fans to cheer them on.

• The grotto, located within the beautiful green space surrounding our campus, is a calming place of reflection. Whether it’s used for quiet prayer or to wait for a ride after school, our students truly feel at peace here.

• Mounties love the Thunder Zone, our in-school student-run cafe. Open after school, it gives girls a place to relax with a mocha latte, grab a snack with friends and check-in at this wi-fi hotspot.

ABOUT THE MOUNTMount St. Mary Academy is a private, Catholic, college preparatory school for young women founded in 1927 by the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur with the sole purpose of educating young women. Recognizing each student’s strengths and potential for growth, Mount St. Mary offers a varied curriculum that effectively encourages her to succeed.

A SENSE OF FAMILY Small class sizes, individual attention and a sense of family are just some of the reasons our students have chosen Mount St. Mary Academy. These features help explain the academic success our students enjoy. Mount St. Mary blends time-honored traditions with state-of-the-art learning facilities, and a student-to-faculty ratio of less than 10:1– all within a developmentally safe and supportive environment.

Mount St. Mary faculty and staff work closely with our families to nurture students emotionally, academically, and spiritually and prepare them to seek solutions to life’s problems in the light of Christ’s teachings.

WHAT IS THE ALL-GIRL ADVANTAGE? It has been shown that learning in an all-girl environment enhances self-esteem, drives students to leadership, and increases their confidence and desire to succeed. Both inside and outside of the classroom, girls take center stage. The advantages of an all-girl setting shine through our students every day and prepare them to be strong young women in college and beyond.

our mission

20,500 The number of community

service hours completed by our students in 2017-18

Graduation RequirementsEnglish 4 credits

Social Studies 4 credits

Math 4 credits

Science 3 credits

Foreign Language 3 credits

Fine Arts 1 credit

Health .5 credit

Physical Education 2 credits

Religion 2 credits

Electives 2.5 credits

TOTAL 26 credits

academics

Through academic and extra-curricular programs, students explore their own identities and values, enhance their moral decision making skills, and begin to establish themselves as responsible members of the global community. Mount St. Mary Academy consistently ranks among the very top private and public high schools in WNY. Our students graduate having developed critical and abstract thinking skills.

Typically each year, 100% of our graduates go on immediately to college. Preparing our students for college and beyond is what we are all about. Our Regents and Honors programs challenge students to do their personal best and give them the tools they need to be successful. Accelerated placement in English, Mathematics, Science, Foreign Language and Fine Arts is available to incoming freshmen who meet academic requirements.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND COLLEGE COURSES• Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered to eligible sophomores, juniors and seniors for college credit.

• Mount St. Mary Academy students are also able to earn college credit with courses taught by area college professors, right in our classrooms.

• Approximately 80% of our students graduate with college credits from our AP classes and partnerships with Niagara University and Hilbert College, with the potential to earn 57 college credits.

ACADEMIC LEARNING CENTERThe Academic Learning Center (ALC) is part of the continued commitment to academic excellence at MSM. The purpose of the ALC is to assist students in achieving academic success across all areas of study. Tutoring, study groups, test taking assistance, and study skills instruction are services that are available to students through the center. Members of our National Honor Society and Academy Scholars work in the ALC as peer tutors, alongside MSM teachers.

ACADEMY SCHOLARS HONORS PROGRAMAcademically gifted students have many opportunities at Mount St. Mary. Fifty-seven credits of advanced and honors level coursework are available in all subject areas.

In addition, Academy Scholars participate in a hands-on entrepreneurship curriculum through which they create and run their own small businesses, allowing them to learn and engage in creativity in an exciting way. MSM student-businesses include both real products and virtual businesses and are affiliated with two international programs: Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) and Virtual Enterprises. Our entrepreneurs have competed successfully both nationally and internationally and are the current SAGE-USA champions. Our students' experiences have guided their college plans and offered them valuable life skills.

STEAM PROGRAMMount St. Mary Academy, with the help of a generous grant from the Oishei Foundation, has built an exciting STEAM curriculum for our students. Our STEAM lab incorporates hands-on engineering equipment and hosts a course required for all sophomores called Foundations in STEAM. This course gives students a sense of what it really means to work in a STEAM world by knocking down classroom walls and using tangible 21st century tools to help solve genuine world problems.

Technology in the Classroom Mount St. Mary Academy uses cutting edge technology to foster the latest in 21st-century skills.

• Our 1:1 iPad program offers students an array of online resources and learning opportunities as well as instant access to current events, multimedia resources, and textbooks. Students are engaged in collaboration while strengthening their communication and digital literacy skills.

• Wi-fi access is available throughout the building for student iPads as well as personal devices, plus virtual reality/augmented reality goggles, school-supported apps, makers gadgets, 3D and animation software, app development for both Android and Apple products, and Smart Board technology, which are utilized in various academic areas.

• Students have access to two technology centers, a STEAM Lab, and a Library Media Center equipped with two 3D printers, tablet laptop hybrids, notebooks, laptops, and e-books.

• Each student is given her own private MSM email account through Google Apps for Education and an Office 365 account from Microsoft. Students are also given a secure “home” drive on our server to store data throughout their high school career and create responsible digital citizenship.

• Foundations of STEAM is a course taken by all sophomores. Students are exposed to a variety of concepts related to science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Students participate in an overall capstone project.

• Plus Portals opens the walls between the classroom and home. It provides parents, faculty and students access to up-to-date information about grades, attendance and homework.

• Students can take STEAM workshops through EdCo and participate in a number of extracurricular events tailored to their own unique interests.

The Class of 2018 collectively earned nearly $18 million in college scholarships, averaging over $221,000 per student.

We believe in academic excellence. Smaller class sizes. Bigger college scholarships.

Mount St. Mary Academy places great emphasis on the value of our 90 year history.

While keeping pace with the modern world, we understand that our past has enriched

our present. Today’s students participate in traditions dating back to our very first classes,

most notably our Red Rose tradition.

Throughout a student’s four years at Mount St. Mary Academy, major milestones in

her high school career are honored and celebrated by the presentation of a red rose.

Red Rose ceremonies include: Junior Ring Ceremony, Senior Year Mother-Daughter

Liturgy, Baccalaureate Mass, and Graduation.

We believe in leading by example. Celebrating our faith. The importance of family.

Some of today’s most beloved student events are:• Baccalaureate Mass

• Academic and Athletic Awards Ceremonies

• Fall Musical

• Father-Daughter Dance

• Junior Ring Ceremony

• May Crowning

• Mother-Daughter Mass and Brunch

• National Honor Society Induction

traditions

choose to wear a white or light blue oxford blouse, white or navy polo, or white or navy turtleneck. Students are also offered a choice of navy sweaters or sweatshirts to choose from. Knee socks, ankle socks, or tights in solid white or navy must be worn with closed toe leather or suede shoes in a neutral color.

Seniors are allowed the privilege of wearing hunter green shirts, socks, or tights. Seniors also have a specially designed hoodie that can be worn throughout the year to show their class pride.

Throughout the school year, Mount St. Mary hosts several “dress down” or “jeans days” which serve as fundraising activities for various causes and student organizations.

SERVICE AND RELIGIONStudents are challenged to be stewards of their individual gifts, using them to understand people of varied backgrounds and participate in service to the community. Our students are required to complete service hours each year, from 25 hours as freshmen up to 60 hours senior year.

Religion courses at Mount St. Mary are an integral part of our everyday life. All students are required to complete four years of religion. The religion curriculum provides students with the opportunity to participate in the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church. Each course develops and enhances the student’s relationship with God through different types of prayer.

School Liturgies take place monthly, typically on Holy Days of Obligation, Catholic holidays and/or Marian Feasts in honor of our patroness.

DRESS CODEMount St. Mary Academy students wear a uniform which ensures an appropriate study atmosphere while permitting individual choice and self-expression. We require students to wear a uniform black watch plaid skirt or kilt. Students may

Throughout the year, we hold a variety of fun events that have grown into the Spirit of MSM:• Big Sister/Little Sister Program

• Freshman/Sophomore Luncheon and Junior/Senior Luncheon

• Mountstock – Fine Arts Department's battle of the bands

• Prom and Post-Prom Party – for Juniors and Seniors and their dates

• School and Class Liturgies

• School Spirit Week

• Sleep Out for Charity

• Travel Abroad

• Winter Semi-Formal

We believe in good sportsmanship. Scoring goals. Working as a team.

athletics

Throughout the school year, Mount

St. Mary Academy offers athletic

programs to help develop our students

into well-rounded, healthy, and

disciplined young ladies. Our athletic

program focuses on success for the

teams and the individual students,

but provides so much more in terms

of friendships and memories for

years to come.

MSM offers our students three choices for their physical education requirement: Physical Education, Dance Movement or Fitness. Students who opt to take Physical Education learn about sportsmanship, traditional competitive games and athletic movement.

Dance Movement is also offered for physical education credit in our full-size dance studio. Two levels of Dance Movement are available to suit every student’s abilities. Whether you’re a beginner or in Performance Dance, this exciting course helps to build muscle tone, flexibility and balance, all in a fun atmosphere.

For students more inclined to independent movement, Fitness provides an opportunity to develop healthy and nutritional lifestyle decisions. The class takes place in our Fitness Center, which is fully equipped. Past Fitness units have included: Yoga, Pilates, Self Defense, Weight Training, and Wii Fit.

FALLCross-Country (Varsity)

Golf (Varsity, JV)

Soccer (Varsity)

Swimming (Varsity)

Volleyball (Varsity, JV)

WINTERBasketball (Varsity, JV)

Bowling (Varsity, JV)

Ice Hockey (Varsity)

Indoor Track (Varsity)

Competitive Cheerleading (Varsity)

SPRINGLacrosse (Varsity, JV)

Softball (Varsity, JV)

Tennis (Varsity)

Track and Field (Varsity)

YEAR-ROUNDCrew (Varsity, Novice)

THE MOUNT ST. MARY THUNDER IS MADE UP OF 22 DIFFERENT TEAMS INCLUDING:

Check out the MSM Thunder teams at our athletics website at www.MSMathletics.org

33 students were named to

All-Catholic teams

13 students from the classes of

2017 & 2018 went on to play NCAA sports.

We believe in singing loudly. Marching to our own drum. Bringing our dreams to life.

Where in the world is the MSM Marching Band? Mount St. Mary Academy is home to the only all-girls marching band in New York State. In addition to local performances, our girls have marched in some exciting locations:

• Walt Disney World

• St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City

• Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C.

• Even on a Caribbean cruise ship!

clubs

Mount St. Mary truly is a second home to our students. For many, the final bell

of the day is the beginning of a new chapter in their activities at MSM. Our Library

and Academic Learning Center are open to students after hours, plus, all of our

teachers remain after school every day to offer students homework help, study sessions

and tutoring.

Clubs and activities give our students the opportunity to get involved and build strong

ties with their peers outside of the classroom setting. From student-created clubs and

publications, to student government and community service, we are actively involved

in life outside the classroom.

Here are some of our most popular activities:

• Book Club

• Creative Writing Club

• Culinary Club

• Discover Japan Club

• Drama Club

• Fall Musical

• Fitness Club

• Foreign Language Club

• Friends of Rachel (FOR) Club

• Gemtones

• Literary Magazine (Reflections)

• Mathletes

• Mock Trial

• Mountie Spirit Club (Rumblers)

• Movie Club

• MSM Band (concert/marching/jazz)

• National Honor Society

• Science Club

• Ski and Snowboarding Club

• Student Council

• Student Newspaper (Bluelight)

• Students Against Social Injustice (SASI)

• UNYTS Donate Life Club

• Yearbook

• Z Club (Volunteer Club)

VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAMSMount St. Mary Academy is highly regarded for its fine arts programs. Our award-winning instrumental music program includes a full concert band, jazz and string ensembles, and the only all-girls marching band in New York State. Students involved in Band take it as part of their in-school curriculum.

Vocal programs offered include private vocal lessons, Music Ministry, and our by-audition group, the Gemtones.

ART AND THEATER COURSESMSM has an extensive visual arts program offered as electives to all students. Courses include Introduction to Fine Arts, Drawing, Painting, Graphic Design, Digital Photography, Ceramics, Crafts, Studio in Art and Portfolio Preparation. Artwork is displayed throughout the school during our annual Fine Arts Week, a time to enjoy MSM art and performances from our Dance and Band classes.

Our annual fall musical – held in our beautiful 1,100-seat auditorium – features the singing, dancing and acting skills of our students and young men from area high schools. Additionally, each spring MSM’s student-run Drama Club performs plays which they write, direct, produce and act in all on their own.

We believe in good friends. Making everyone feel welcome. We believe in you.

admission

Sample Freshman Year Schedule:

APPLYING FOR ADMISSION Students who wish to join Mount St. Mary Academy’s freshman class must complete an application which is available on our website (MSMacademy.org), our school Admissions Office, or any area Catholic elementary school. Students must then take the Catholic High School Entrance Examination in November at Mount St. Mary. Acceptance letters plus any scholarship or financial aid notifications are mailed in mid-January. Freshman Registration night is held in early February.

SCHOLARSHIPSMount St. Mary Academy currently offers more than two dozen scholarships and grants to incoming freshmen. Scholarship awards are based on some or a combination of the following factors: overall scholastic achievement, the Catholic High School Entrance Examination results, community service, leadership and financial need. Scholarship applications are given to students on the day of the Entrance Exam.

FINANCIAL AID AND DISCOUNTSFinancial aid grants are awarded based on financial need and are available for incoming and current students each year. Financial aid applications are given to students on the day of the Entrance Exam and are processed by FAIR, Inc. In addition to financial aid awards, we offer discounts to families with a parent who is a full-time Catholic school or parish employee and those who have more than one daughter at MSM. Our school also offers a one-time grant to students whose mother or grandmother is a Mount St. Mary alumna.

WORK-STUDY PROGRAMStudents who are eligible for our Work-Study program will be matched with an in-school job during the summer or school year. Payment is based on the number of hours worked and is credited directly to the tuition account.

TRANSFER STUDENTS Students wishing to transfer to Mount St. Mary will be considered for admission upon receipt of their transcripts, current grades, letter of recommendation and an interview with MSM administrative personnel.

ADMISSION EVENTS

Open House

Young ladies and their families are welcome to join us at our fall Open House. This is the perfect opportunity to tour our school, ask questions, and meet teachers, administrators, coaches, students and parents.

Meet the Mount Night

An exciting way for students to see the spirited side of MSM, this themed event is always full of surprises, games, food and fun! Invitations for this event are sent in the fall.

Shadow Program

Eighth grade girls are invited to join us for a Shadow Day in the fall. Seventh grade girls are welcome to join us in the spring. Shadows will be matched with one of our Mountie Ambassadors, given an iPad for the day, sit in classes, tour the school and meet students and teachers. Shadow Days are arranged through elementary schools or by calling our Admissions Office.

7:40 Morning bell

7:45 – 8:11 Prayer, attendance, homeroom

8:14 – 8:54 Foundations of Learning

8:57 – 9:37 Algebra (Regents)

9:40 – 10:20 English

10:23 – 11:03 Spanish II

11:06 – 11:36 Lunch

11:39 – 12:19 Religion I

12:22 – 1:02 Biology (Regents)

1:05 – 1:45 Physical Education

1:48 – 2:28 Global I

2:28 Dismissal

Mount St. Mary Academy is consistently ranked

AMONG THE VERY TOP public and private high schools

in Western New York

We believe in you.3756 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore, New York 14217

(716) 877-1358 • Fax: (716) 877-0548 • www.MSMacademy.org

Mount St. Mary Academy shall not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, or age (in accordance with the law).

08/18