Mount de Sales Academy is entering an exciting new chapter. This fall, a wave of transformative updates will enhance student wellness, strengthen campus life, elevate athletics and the arts, and deepen the sense of pride that defines the Cavalier community.
These initiatives reflect our long-term strategic vision for the future of MDS and our continued commitment to forming students who thrive academically, spiritually, physically, and socially. From major facility upgrades to new wellness initiatives, every improvement is designed with students at the center.
University-Level Lighting and Sound at Mike Garvin Stadium
One of the most exciting additions coming this fall is the installation of university-level lighting and sound at Mike Garvin Stadium and Cavalier Fields. This major enhancement will elevate Friday night games, ceremonies, and community events while creating a more dynamic atmosphere for student-athletes and fans alike. The project reflects a growing commitment to strengthening school spirit and supporting the overall student experience for students, families, alumni, and the entire Mount de Sales community.
Creating a Sports Performance Center Inside Cavalier Hall
This summer, Cavalier Hall will be transformed into a brand-new Sports Performance Center led by Director of Strength and Conditioning Mike Walton, class of ’99. Stay tuned for a mock-up of the new center. In a meaningful full-circle moment, the space is returning to its original purpose: a weight room when Mr. Walton was a student. Now he will help lead the next generation of Cavaliers in that same space. The facility will focus on functional training designed to improve athletic performance, physical preparedness, and overall wellness. While the space will primarily serve student-athletes, students interested in advanced athletic development will also have opportunities to utilize the facility through supervised programming.
As Coach Walton shared:
“The opening of the Cavalier Hall Sports Performance Center aligns perfectly with our school’s commitment to prioritizing the holistic development of our student body. From a physical wellness standpoint, this space allows for the intentional development of our students’ physical fitness and overall physical preparedness, with a byproduct of that being the positive effects on our students’ mental wellness.
Transforming this space represents a major step forward for Mount de Sales Academy because it gives our student-athletes a dedicated environment on campus where they can train with purpose, build character, develop leadership, and pursue championship excellence together across all sports programs.”
A Trackman Golf Simulator
Mount de Sales is also bringing a state-of-the-art Trackman Golf Simulator to campus. This exciting addition will strengthen the golf program while also serving as a gathering space for alumni, families, and community events throughout the year. The simulator creates new opportunities for student development and community engagement alike.
New House Lights in The Zuver Center
The arts continue to flourish at Mount de Sales, and this fall, The David J. Zuver Center for Performing Arts will receive new house lighting upgrades that will dramatically enhance the performance experience. With recent productions like Hadestown Teen generating excitement throughout the arts community, this investment ensures our performance space reflects the talent, creativity, and dedication of the students who take the stage.
Renovated Student Bathrooms Across Campus
We are excited to renovate ten student bathrooms across campus this summer. The condition of physical spaces plays a meaningful role in students’ daily experiences and sense of care within the school environment. These renovations represent a significant investment in both student comfort and campus hospitality, ensuring our facilities better serve current students while also creating a welcoming impression for guests and prospective families.
Hiring a Full-Time School Nurse
To further support student wellness, Mount de Sales is adding a full-time school nurse to the campus. Having a nurse available throughout the school day allows us to care for students more consistently and proactively while ensuring immediate access to medical support when needed. This addition also strengthens our ability to partner with families in supporting students with ongoing or emerging health needs. Student health and well-being remain foundational to a successful learning environment, and this new role represents an important investment in the daily care of our school community.
Implementing a Phone-Free School Day Policy
Beginning this fall, Mount de Sales will implement a phone-free school day. While technology offers many benefits, the constant presence of personal devices, including phones, earbuds, and smartwatches, can interfere with students’ focus, relationships, and overall sense of balance. These devices often compete for attention in the classroom and disrupt the meaningful community we work intentionally to cultivate each day.
By creating space away from personal devices during the school day, we hope students will become more attentive in class, more engaged with their teachers and peers, and more fully present in the life of the school. This transition is rooted in growing research surrounding adolescent learning, attention, and social development, and we look forward to partnering with families as we implement this important change.
Parent Partnership: Understanding the Adolescent Brain
On August 10 at 6:00 p.m., neuroscientist and educator Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath will join us on campus to discuss how students learn, how adolescent brains are developing, and how factors such as technology influence attention, memory, and behavior. This event is open to the public and will provide valuable insight for parents, educators, and anyone invested in helping students thrive.
Supporting the Future of Mount de Sales
These updates represent far more than facility improvements. They are part of a larger strategic vision for Mount de Sales Academy:
- Expand Students’ Experiences of Wonder and Holiness
- Reinvigorate Pride Through Athletics
- Nurture Community Partnerships
- Strengthen Our Culture of Philanthropy
- Enhance Campus Spaces
We are grateful to the alumni, families, faculty, and supporters whose generosity and belief in our mission continue to make these transformational investments possible.
The future is bright at Mount de Sales! We can’t wait to watch these updates come to life this summer.