Leaders from Mount St. Mary’s University (MSMU) and Saint John’s Catholic Prep (SJCP) called it “a great day for Catholic education in Frederick County” as they signed an admissions agreement guaranteeing the high school’s graduates admission and a four-year renewable scholarship to the university.
“This agreement recognizes the mutual goal of two of the leading Catholic institutions of Frederick County to enhance access to high quality values-based education at the high school and postsecondary levels,” said Mount St. Mary’s University President Timothy E. Trainor, Ph.D. “Both institutions have long histories of enrolling students who are looking to make a difference; this agreement is a natural fit.”
“Both Mount St. Mary’s University and Saint John’s Catholic Prep share a legacy as two of the country’s oldest Catholic educational programs,” said Saint John’s Catholic Prep President Thomas Powell, Ph.D. “It is only natural that we have formed a partnership for our students to enroll at the Mount. Mount St. Mary’s University offers our students an opportunity to attain a prestigious education formed by 210 years of Catholic intellectual tradition. There is no better university for our students.”
Under the terms of the agreement, signed by Trainor and Powell, SJCP students who have a 3.00 GPA and either a 1080 SAT (EBRW & Math) or 21 ACT composite score are guaranteed admission to MSMU. Students who meet these criteria will receive, at minimum, a $22,000 four-year award, with a total value of $88,000.
In the fall of 2017, SJCP became the first high school in Frederick County to collaborate with MSMU by offering students the opportunity to enroll in collegiate courses such as sociology and criminal justice. This initiative was made possible by the Center for Catholic School Excellence housed in the Division of Education. According to Center Director Elizabeth Monahan, a select number of qualified juniors and seniors travel to MSMU’s Frederick campus to be taught by the university’s professors. In the spring 2018 semester, Professor Tim Wolfe, Ph.D., is teaching an introduction to sociology course. The Center has expanded this program to include St. Maria Goretti High School in Hagerstown, Maryland. Participating students who complete and pass the courses receive both university and high school credits.
“I am excited about the infinite possibilities that the SJCP-MSMU partnership holds,” said Paulette Anders, Saint John’s college counselor and a 1992 MSMU graduate. Under the agreement, MSMU admissions representative will visit SJCP as many as three times a year to share information about the Mount’s academic programs and application, admissions, financial aid and related processes.
“We are thrilled to build on our relationship with Saint John’s – this furthers both schools abilities to be of service to students and families in Frederick County,” said Eric Danielson, director of admissions at the Mount.